What is Ellagic Acid?

Ellagic acid is particularly abundant in the pomegranate family (extract of pomegranate leaves and pomegranate juice). Ellagic acid is a dimeric derivative of gallic acid, a polyphenolic di-lactone. It can exist in nature not only in free form but more often in condensed form (e.g. ellagitannins, glycosides, etc.).

Bioactive functions of ellagic acid

Ellagic acid has a variety of bioactive functions, such as antioxidant function (it can react with free radicals, has good inhibitory activity against peroxidation of lipid-like compounds in mitochondrial microsomes, can chelate with metal ions that induce lipid peroxidation, and act as an oxidizing substrate to protect other substances from oxidation), anti-cancer (which includes leukemia, lung cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are considered as one of the most promising natural chemical anticancer agents), anti-mutagenic properties, and inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus.

Besides, ellagic acid is also an effective coagulant and a good inhibitor of many bacteria and viruses, protecting wounds from bacterial invasion, preventing infection, and inhibiting ulcers. Also, it has been found that ellagic acid has hypotensive and sedative effects.

Application of ellagic acid in cosmetics
In recent years, the cosmetic industry has been influenced by the trend of returning to nature and the research and development of natural efficacy ingredients have become a hot spot both at home and abroad, and ellagic acid has been widely used as a natural component with multiple effects. Ellagic acid has been widely used as a natural component with multiple effects. Ellagic acid has whitening, anti-aging, astringent, and anti-radiation effects.

The development and application of natural ingredients are becoming more and more important in the cosmetic industry in the 21st century, and ellagic acid has been used on a large scale in many types of cosmetics such as whitening and anti-aging because of its high safety and mild effect on the skin. In-depth research on ellagic acid will also bring new hope for human beings to slow down aging and fight against various diseases.