Patent ID: 7611738

Claim:
A method of modulating growth and progression of cancerous cells, the method comprising: selecting a subject having cancerous cell growth; administering to said subject a composition comprising an effective amount of a pomegranate extract, whereby said pomegranate extract is produced by a process comprising: providing one or more pomegranate solids selected from the group consisting of a pericarp, inner membrane and seeds; creating a mixture comprising said one or more pomegranate solids in an aqueous solution; adding hydrolyzing enzymes to said mixture in an amount sufficient to at least partially degrade said one or more pomegranate solids; heating said mixture to a temperature that permits enzyme catalysis of said pomegranate solids; maintaining said mixture at a temperature and time sufficient to allow at least partial degradation of the pomegranate solids; and removing residual insoluble solid materials from said mixture to provide an extract, wherein said extract contains polyphenols.