Skip to content 
What is Urolithin A？
Urolithin A(UA) is generated by gut microbiota and is a natural metabolite of ellagitannins, a type of compound found in pomegranate and other fruits and nuts. It was officially discovered and named in 2005, with the molecular formula C13H8O4 and a relative molecular mass of 228.2. UA has its unique chemical properties – it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
According to relevant research, UA plays a protective role in a variety of cancers (such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and prostate cancer), cardiovascular disease,s and other diseases. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it can protect the kidneys and prevent diseases such as proctitis, osteoarthritis, and intervertebral disc degeneration. In addition, studies have shown that UA has significant effects in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In addition, UA also has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of many metabolic diseases. UA has broad application prospects in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases.
Can we obtain urolithin A from foods?
Urolithin-A does not exist in its natural state and is hydrolyzed into tannic acid in the human gut by consuming foods rich in ellagitannin. Specific gut bacteria then metabolize ellagitannin into UA.
The hydroxyl polarity in the molecular structure of ellagitannin is relatively high, which is not conducive to intestinal wall absorption. Its bioavailability is very low, and not all intestines can decompose it to obtain UA. About 40% of people have the correct microbial community to carry out this conversion.
Urolithin A benefits
1. Oxidation resistance
The free radicals generated by oxidation can harm cells. UA can accurately identify these free radicals and neutralize reactive oxygen species such as peroxide and superoxide, reducing oxidative stress in cells, reducing the occurrence of oxidative stress from the source, and protecting cells from oxidative damage.
2. Anti-inflammatory effect
Moderate inflammation is a normal repair process in the body, but excessive or persistent inflammation can hinder muscle recovery and growth. UA can alleviate various inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, enteritis, and pneumonia by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators. In the treatment of arthritis, UA can alleviate joint swelling and pain; In the treatment of enteritis and pneumonia, urolithin UA can promote the repair of intestinal and alveolar epithelial cells and improve tissue function.
3. Improve mitochondrial function
Mitochondria are the “energy factories” of cells and are crucial for maintaining normal cellular function. Mitochondria can be damaged due to various stresses UA can induce autophagy in dysfunctional mitochondria, regulate mitochondrial biosynthesis, inhibit the proliferation of aging mitochondrial dysfunction, and enable cells to obtain sufficient energy for work. This characteristic makes UA have great potential in the field of anti-aging.
4 . Regulating cell renewal
It can induce autophagy in cells, remove harmful substances such as damaged organelles and protein aggregates, promote the stability of the intracellular environment, and help with cell renewal and repair. It can also regulate the cell cycle and affect key proteins such as cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin. Thereby controlling the growth and division of cells. UA can induce cell death through various pathways, ultimately leading cells towards apoptosis.
5. Muscle Health and Strength
Urolithin A has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can accelerate the healing speed of muscle cells, reduce muscle soreness and discomfort, and enhance muscle function and performance. It increases energy production, enhances the recovery ability of muscle cells, and allows muscles to recover faster and better.
Muscles can be damaged during exercise and require repair and growth to achieve muscle hypertrophy. Urolithin A promotes mitochondrial function and increases ATP synthesis, providing a better environment for muscle cell repair and growth, increasing the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, muscle protein content, and muscle strength, and promoting muscle hypertrophy.
6. Assistance for related diseases
- Nervous system disease: UA has biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant stress, and anti-apoptosis, and can exert neuroprotective activity through the blood-brain barrier. It is a potential active small molecule for intervening in neurodegenerative diseases. Relevant research shows that UA can prevent and treat diabetes related Alzheimer’s disease
- Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: UA can reduce the initial inflammatory reaction of myocardial tissue to hyperglycemia, improve the myocardial microenvironment, and promote the recovery of myocardial cell contractility and calcium dynamics, indicating that UA can be used as an auxiliary drug to control diabetes cardiomyopathy and prevent its complications.UA can improve mitochondrial and muscle function by inducing mitochondrial autophagy, and cardiac mitochondria are key organelles responsible for producing energy-rich ATP. Mitochondrial dysfunction is the fundamental cause of heart failure and is currently considered a potential therapeutic target. UA has also become a new candidate drug for treating CVD.
- Metabolic disease:The incidence of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes is increasing year by year, and the beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols on human health have been confirmed in many ways.UA not only increases fat excretion, but also reduces visceral adipose tissue mass and body mass, decreases liver fat accumulation and oxidative stress by regulating genes related to fat production and fatty acid oxidation
Urolithin A side effects and safety
UA has been recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) ingredient. Up to now, multiple human studies have shown that UA has good safety and tolerability. There have been no reports indicating significant toxicity or adverse reactions of UA within the actual dosage range.
Although UA is considered safe, when to use urolithin A supplements, further research is needed to confirm the long-term effects and potential drug interactions. For those considering the use of UA, it is recommended to consult a medical professional before starting any supplements, especially for those who already have serious health problems.
Where can you buy urolithin A?
Runtai Chemical is a professional and reliable China manufacturer of urolithin A with higher purity and lower price for 15 years. If you are interested in our product, feel free to contact us for free samples!
