Urolithin as a Metabolite of Ellagitannins and Ellagic Acid from Fruits and Nuts Produced by the Gut Microbiota: Its Role on Non-Communicable Diseases.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search methodology
PubMed 40180655 · doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00645-0
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on how urolithins—metabolites produced by gut microbiota from ellagitannins and ellagic acid found in fruits (such as pomegranates, raspberries, cloudberries, and blackberries) and nuts—regulate transcription factors including NRF2, NF-kB, and PPAR-γ. It examined their proposed therapeutic roles across non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data or effect sizes. Qualitatively, it reports that urolithins possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-atherosclerotic effects, alongside enhancing mitochondrial function and redox balance via activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway.
Why it matters
This review summarizes the mechanistic biological pathways connecting dietary polyphenol consumption and microbial metabolism to the regulation of chronic inflammatory and metabolic conditions.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search, standardized study selection, and risk-of-bias evaluation. The abstract does not provide empirical human trial data, quantitative effect estimates, or safety outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Urolithin A is produced by gut bacteria from ellagitannins found in foods such as pomegranates.