Ellagic Acid: A Logical Lead for Drug Development?

Title:Ellagic Acid: A Logical Lead for Drug Development?

Volume: 24 Issue: 2

Author(s): Abolfazl Shakeri, Mohammad Reza Zirak and Amirhossein Sahebkar*

Affiliation:

• Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,Iran

Keywords: Polyphenol, ellagic acid, pharmacology, phytomedicine, gallic acid, antioxidant.

Abstract: Background: Naturally occurring polyphenols are the subject of increasing attention due to their potent antioxidant activity and their marked effects on the prevention of various oxidative stress-associated diseases such as cancer. Ellagic acid (EA) is an herbal polyphenol that is structurally a condensed dimer of gallic acid.

Methods: This review aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the biological activities of EA and potential therapeutic applications.

Results: EA is found in fruits and nuts, either in the combined form with hexahydroxydiphenic acid or in the bound form (ellagitannins). EA exhibits many biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anticancer and apoptosis-inducing activities. These biological and pharmacological properties are relevant to the treatment of several human diseases.

Conclusion: Owing to its multiple mechanisms of action, EA represents a potential therapeutic agent against human diseases particularly cancer.

Cite this article as:

Shakeri Abolfazl , Zirak Reza Mohammad and Sahebkar Amirhossein*, Ellagic Acid: A Logical Lead for Drug Development?, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2018; 24 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612823666171115094557