An Exploration of the Genotoxic Effects of Ellagic Acid on Human HepG2 Cells and Its Potential Impact on Cancer Prevention

Authors

Amanda Stevens, Brigham Young University
Dr. Kim O'Neill, Brigham Young University

Keywords

genotoxic effects, ellagic acid, human HepG2 cells, cancer prevention

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Over the past few years, cancer prevention has become a more important focus for research in the fight against cancer. Recent studies suggest that perhaps as much as 70-80 % of all cancers could be prevented by diet alone. Ellagic acid is a compound found in foods like raspberries, strawberries, and apples, and is thought to be important for cancer prevention. Benzo[a]pyrene is a potent environmental carcinogen detected in substances such as cigarette smoke, cooked foods, and fossil fuel combustion. Studies involving rodents exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), whose diets included ellagic acid (EA), showed a decrease in tumor formation as compared to rodents whose diets did not include ellagic acid.1

Recommended Citation

Stevens, Amanda and O'Neill, Dr. Kim (2013) "An Exploration of the Genotoxic Effects of Ellagic Acid on Human HepG2 Cells and Its Potential Impact on Cancer Prevention," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1194.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1194