Ellagic Acid Co-Administration: A Protective Strategy Against Aging and Dietary-Induced Pheochromocytoma in Rats

Benign tumor incidence increased as a result of bad lifestyle and dietary habits. Finding natural dietary antioxidants may help control tumor incidence and spread. Pheochromocytoma is a rare neoplastic chromaffin cell-based benign tumor in the adrenal glands medulla. Pheochromocytoma incidence may increase as a result of the aging process or due to dietary consumption of sugar alcohols. Ellagic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenolic molecule that possesses multiple health benefits and can potentially compete with the development of pheochromocytoma. 50 male Wistar rats were used to investigate the efficacy of ellagic acid in protecting against aging and dietary-induced pheochromocytoma. Biochemical parameters in all experimental rats were determined. Results revealed that both aged and dietary-induced pheochromocytoma caused significant (p≤0.05) boost in systolic blood pressure, catecholamines (dopamine and norepinephrine),metabolites, blood glucose, and serum calcium levels. It also impaired significantly (p≤0.05) renal and hepatic functions, induced oxidative inflammatory status as well as apoptotic gene expression. Ellagic acid consumption protects from pheochromocytoma biochemical alterations and maintains normal body function and hemostasis. Pheochromocytoma is associated with many adverse biochemical changes that may be lethal if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly. Ellagic acid is a promising antioxidant and its consumption can protect from benign tumors. The study is expected to encourage people to change their bad dietary habits and consume natural antioxidants from nature.