Pomegranates or pomegranate (punica granatum) originated from the Middle East, but has spread to various regions. These plants can live in tropical or subtropical climates and is often planted as an ornamental plant whose fruits are edible.
Efficacy to inhibit the growth of cancer cells revealed in a study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) several months ago. But at that time the researchers failed to explain the biological mechanisms, including compound what is causing this nutritious fruit.
Even the companies that supply of pomegranates to the study, which is Pom Wonderful Trade Commission had fined by the United States. The reason this company is considered to give a false claim related to the benefits of the pomegranate fruit was not yet clear.
However, recently the same investigators finally managed to reveal that the inhibition of cancer cells induced by fatty acid content in pomegranate. In prostate cancer, these compounds can prevent cancer attacks spread to the surrounding bone tissue.
The success of identifying useful compounds in pomegranates are considered important enough even though the efficacy of this fruit has been known previously. The researchers said the modification of natural compounds, now can be done to improve its effectiveness.
"Because the genes and proteins involved in spread of prostate cancer cells are not much different from other cancer types, the fatty acid in pomegranates can be slightly modified for other types of cancer," said Dr. Manuela Martins-Green from UCLA as quoted from Dailymail, Tuesday (12/14/2010).
Results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cell Biology 5th (up/ir)KOMPAS
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