Possible Interaction: Ellagic Acid and Quercetin

“In a previous study, it was demonstrated that quercetin and ellagic acid interacted synergistically in the induction of apoptosis in the human leukemia cell line, MOLT-4.”

“In contrast, ellagic acid potentiated the effects of quercetin for p21(cip1/waf1) protein levels and p53 phosphorylation at serine 15, possibly explaining the synergistic effect observed in apoptosis induction.”

“In summary, quercetin and ellagic acid combined increase the activation of p53 and p21(cip1/waf1) and the MAP kinases, JNK1,2 and p38, in a more than additive manner, suggesting a mechanism by which quercetin and ellagic acid synergistically induce apoptosis in cancer cells.”

“Phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, c-jun N-terminal (JNK)1,2 and p38, was also increased by the combination of ellagic acid and quercetin , whereas quercetin alone induced only p38.”

“We further evaluated whether the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or quercetin stability were influenced by interactions of ellagic acid with quercetin.”

“Assays were performed to determine cell cycle kinetics, proliferation, apoptotic DNA-… and caspase-3-activity after 12, 24 and 48 h. Ellagic acid significantly potentiated the effects of quercetin (at 5 and 10 micro mol/L each) in the reduction of proliferation and viability and the induction of apoptosis.”

“The interaction of ellagic acid and quercetin demonstrated an enhanced anticarcinogenic potential of polyphenol combinations, which was not based solely on the additive effect of individual compounds, but rather on synergistic biochemical interactions.”

“ Quercetin induced tumor regression in mice at a concentration 3-fold lower than ellagic acid.”