The result of the following study was published as a part of the Pink Month or The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month people who pledge their support for the awareness program publicize the campaign by wearing pink ribbons, turning their web sites pink etc.
This study, conducted by Khan G.N. and colleagues from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, shows that the extract from pomegranate fruit inhibits the aggressive growth and spread of breast cancer in the laboratory.
The study was based on the existing knowledge from earlier studies that pomegranate juice has properties which retard the proliferation and inflammation among the cancer cells in prostate and lung cancers.
Khan G.N. and colleagues extracted both fermented juice and seed oil from pomegranate and tested it on the NF-kb dependent reporter gene expression. It was found to have and inhibitory effect on the pathway, which is active in aggressive mammary gland carcinoma. It was also found to suppress the protein expression which plays a part in formation of new cancer sites.
This led to the conclusion that these extracts, which were found to contain ellagitannins, phenolic acids and octadeatrienoic acids, lowered the chances of metastasis or secondary cancer sites. They were also found to hamper the aggressiveness of breast cancer.
It may also be possibly assumed that pomegranate juice might help in prevention of breast cancer to a certain extent.
