Ellagic Acid
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Ellagic Acid is a dietary supplement with 9 published peer-reviewed studies involving 560 participants, researched for Antioxidant Activity, Anti-cancer Activity, Metabolic Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antioxidant Activity
ModerateAnti-cancer Activity
ModerateMetabolic Health
ModerateSkin Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antioxidant Activity
To evaluate bioavailability and antioxidant effects of Ellagic Acid from pomegranate juice
Study Type
Randomised crossover trial
Purpose
To evaluate bioavailability and antioxidant effects of Ellagic Acid from pomegranate juice
Dose
8 oz pomegranate juice daily providing ~120 mg Ellagic Acid
Participants
18 healthy adults
Duration
2-week intervention
Results
Ellagic Acid from pomegranate juice was absorbed and converted to urolithins. Plasma antioxidant capacity increased significantly, and urinary oxidative stress markers (8-isoprostane, 8-OHdG) were significantly reduced.
How They Measured It
Plasma urolithin levels, ORAC, FRAP, urinary 8-isoprostane, DNA oxidative damage (8-OHdG)
To characterize the antioxidant mechanisms of Ellagic Acid
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize the antioxidant mechanisms of Ellagic Acid
Dose
1-200 μM Ellagic Acid
Participants
Biochemical assay systems
Duration
Various
Results
Ellagic Acid exhibited potent free radical scavenging (DPPH IC50: 8 μM), lipid peroxidation inhibition, and metal chelating activity. Its unique chemical structure with multiple hydroxyl groups confers superior antioxidant capacity.
How They Measured It
DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition, metal chelation
Anti-cancer Activity
To evaluate the anti-proliferative mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in prostate cancer cells
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate the anti-proliferative mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in prostate cancer cells
Dose
10-100 μM Ellagic Acid
Participants
LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells
Duration
72 hours
Results
Ellagic Acid inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation (IC50 20-35 μM), induced apoptosis, arrested cells in S-phase, reduced VEGF secretion, and suppressed androgen receptor signaling in hormone-responsive LNCaP cells.
How They Measured It
Cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, VEGF, androgen receptor signaling, invasion assay
To evaluate chemopreventive effects of Ellagic Acid in a breast cancer model
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate chemopreventive effects of Ellagic Acid in a breast cancer model
Dose
400 ppm dietary Ellagic Acid
Participants
24 female rats with DMBA-induced mammary tumors
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Ellagic Acid significantly reduced tumor incidence (58% vs 90% in controls), tumor multiplicity, and enhanced carcinogen metabolizing enzyme activity and antioxidant defense in mammary tissue.
How They Measured It
Tumor incidence, tumor multiplicity, DMBA-induced carcinogenesis, oxidative stress, metabolizing enzymes
To evaluate the anti-cancer evidence for Ellagic Acid and urolithin metabolites
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To evaluate the anti-cancer evidence for Ellagic Acid and urolithin metabolites
Dose
Various formulations
Participants
Review of 40+ studies
Duration
Various
Results
Ellagic Acid and its gut-derived urolithin metabolites demonstrate multi-target anti-cancer activities. Strong pre-clinical evidence across multiple cancer types. Bioavailability enhancement and clinical translation are key areas for research.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of in vitro, in vivo, and limited clinical data
Metabolic Health
To assess Ellagic Acid supplementation on metabolic syndrome components
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To assess Ellagic Acid supplementation on metabolic syndrome components
Dose
180 mg Ellagic Acid daily
Participants
80 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Ellagic Acid significantly reduced waist circumference, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and hs-CRP, while improving HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity compared to placebo. No adverse events reported.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, body composition, inflammatory markers
To investigate mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in reducing diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in reducing diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis
Dose
50-100 mg/kg Ellagic Acid
Participants
20 HFD-fed mice
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Ellagic Acid significantly reduced body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, and adipose tissue mass. Mechanisms involved PPAR-α activation for lipid oxidation and PPAR-γ/adipogenesis gene suppression.
How They Measured It
Body weight, liver histology, adipokines, PPAR-γ/α, lipid synthesis genes
Skin Health
To evaluate Ellagic Acid for reduction of UV-induced skin pigmentation and photoaging
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate Ellagic Acid for reduction of UV-induced skin pigmentation and photoaging
Dose
150 mg Ellagic Acid daily
Participants
57 women with UV-induced facial hyperpigmentation
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Ellagic Acid supplementation significantly reduced melanin index, improved skin tone, and enhanced skin hydration and elasticity compared to placebo. Ellagic Acid inhibits tyrosinase and DOPA oxidase activity.
How They Measured It
Melanin index, erythema index, skin hydration, elasticity, clinical photography
To characterize photoprotective and anti-melanogenic mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in melanocytes
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterize photoprotective and anti-melanogenic mechanisms of Ellagic Acid in melanocytes
Dose
1-50 μM Ellagic Acid
Participants
B16F10 melanoma and primary melanocyte cells
Duration
48 hours
Results
Ellagic Acid potently inhibited tyrosinase activity (IC50 2.8 μM), suppressed melanin synthesis by downregulating MITF, and reduced UV-induced DNA double-strand breaks in melanocytes.
How They Measured It
Tyrosinase activity, melanin synthesis, MITF expression, UV-induced DNA damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ellagic Acid research
There are currently 9 peer-reviewed studies on Ellagic Acid (Ellagic Acid), involving 560 total participants. Research covers Antioxidant activity, Anti-cancer activity, Metabolic health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (9 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Ellagic Acid has been researched for: Antioxidant activity, Anti-cancer activity, Metabolic health, Skin health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 9 out of 9 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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