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Background: Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol compound found in pomegranates, walnuts, and many berries. It is not easily absorbed, but it could be metabolized to urolithins by the gut microbiota. Urolithin A, one of the ellagic acid metabolites, has been proved to prolong the lifespan of and increases muscle function of mice. The purpose of this current study was to analyze the absorption and metabolites of urolithin A and ellagic acid in mice and the anticancer effects of urolithin A, urolithin B, and ellagic acid in colorectal cancer cells.
Methods: Urolithin A and urolithin B were synthesized and analyzed by HPLC and NMR. A pharmacokinetic study of urolithin A was performed in mice by analyzing urolithin A and its metabolites in urines. Absorption and biotransformation of ellagic acid were also studied in mice by analyzing the plasma, liver, and feces. The cytotoxicity of urolithin A, urolithin B, and ellagic acid was assayed in SW480, SW620, HCT 116, and HT-29 cells.
Results: Urolithin A and urolithin B were synthesized and purified to reach 98.1% and 99% purity, respectively, and the structures were identified by NMR. In urolithin A intake analysis, urolithin A was only detectable at 3 h, not at 6-24 h; it suggested that urolithin A was rapidly metabolized to some unknown metabolites. Using UPLC-MS/MS analysis, the metabolites might be urolithin A 3-O-glucuronide, urolithin A 3-sulfate, and urolithin A-sulfate glucuronide. After feeding mice with ellagic acid for consecutive 14 days, ellagic acid contents could be detected in the fecal samples, but not in plasma and liver, and urolithin A was not detected in all samples. It suggests that ellagic acid is not easily absorbed and that the biotransformation of ellagic acid to urolithin A by intestinal flora might be very low. From the cytotoxicity assay, it was found that there was anticancer effect in urolithin A and urolithin B but not in ellagic acid. In contrast, ellagic acid promoted the proliferation of SW480 and SW620 cells.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/8264716 | DOI Listing |
Microb Pathog
September 2025
Department of Chinese Formulae, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China. Electronic address:
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by infection. Severe sepsis is associated with dysbiosis of the intestinal flora and impaired intestinal function. Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural compound known for its ability to inhibit bacteria and viruses, thereby preventing infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet World
July 2025
Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Background And Aim: The global shift toward antibiotic-free poultry production necessitates sustainable alternatives to conventional growth promoters. Hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) from plants have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gut-modulatory effects, making them promising feed additives. However, reliance on imported tannins from temperate species limits access for tropical producers, especially in Thailand.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutr Rev
September 2025
Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including punicalagin, ellagic acid, anthocyanins, and urolithins, which contribute to its broad pharmacological potential. This review summarizes evidence from in vitro and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical studies, highlighting pomegranate's therapeutic effects in inflammation, metabolic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, microbial infections, and skin conditions. Mechanistic insights show modulation of pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Biodivers
September 2025
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Türkiye.
The biological activities and phytochemical composition of Alchemilla daghestanica and Alchemilla minusculiflora were investigated for the first time. Methanol extracts from the aerial and root parts of both species were assessed. The total phenolic content was highest in the root extracts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
September 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a predominant subset of glaucoma in Asia and is characterized by glaucomatous optic neuropathy in the absence of elevated intraocular pressure. Alterations in retinal blood vessels are reported to be important mechanisms of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Retinal peripapillary vascular density is assessed in patients with early stage NTG and OPTN (E50K) mutant mice and confirmed a similar reduction in retinal peripapillary vascular density in patients with NTG and model mice.
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