Research Center for Agricultural Chemistry, College of Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650210, China
Key Laboratory of Pu-erh Tea Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Institute of Biofabrication Research, College of Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
†Ying-Hao Wang and Wen-Yuan Peng contributed equally to this work.
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Highlights
(1) Discovery that ellagic acid exists in various natural plants.
(2) Metabolic pathways of ellagic acid in colonic microbiota.
(3) Summarized the roles of ellagic acid and urolithin in metabolic diseases.
(4) Provide an important reference for exploring the medicinal value of ellagic acid.
Graphical Abstract
Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenolic compound with multiple biological activities. Most of the EA enters the colon and is mainly metabolized by the colonic microbiota to form urolithin. The biological activity of EA and its metabolites is related to the occurrence of metabolic diseases. This article summarized the beneficial effects of EA and urolithin on type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension and hyperuricemia and their related signaling pathways.
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that a range of metabolic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity, have reached epidemic proportions. These chronic conditions not only diminish the equality of life for individuals but also impose significant financial burdens on families and healthcare systems. While various therapeutic medications can effectively manage the progression of these diseases, they often come with adverse side effects. In contrast, natural products and their metabolites, such as ellagic acid (EA) and urolithins derived from a variety of plant species, have gained attention for their wide-ranging biological activities, diverse classes, and minimal side effects. Emerging research suggests that EA and urolithins may offer promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of metabolic disorders. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic effects and associated signaling pathways of EA and its metabolite urolithins in various metabolic diseases, offering valuable insights for their clinical applications and the potential development of novel food and medicine homologous therapies.
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