With the improvement of human living standards and changes in lifestyles, the health of the immune system is under constant threat from all sides. The immune system is an important line of defense against diseases, and Urolithin A, as a substance with powerful immunomodulatory effects, is gradually becoming a secret weapon to revitalize the immune system by increasing the number and function of immune cells, enhancing the activity of immune cells, regulating the balance of immune response and inhibiting the growth of tumor cells, Urolithin A is playing an important role in immunomodulation. In this article, some of the roles and applications of Urolithin A are introduced.

What is Urolithin A?

Urolithin A (3,8-dihydroxy-6H-dibenzopyran-6-one, Urolithin A) is a secondary metabolite of the natural polyphenolic compound ellagitannin, which possesses significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, mitochondrial autophagy-inducing, and antioxidant effects, is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and can inhibit PI3K/Akt/ mTOR signaling. Urolithin A has an important role in the treatment of a variety of diseases, such as: cancer, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, diabetes, severe acute pancreatitis associated with acute heart injury.

Properties of Urolithin A

English Synonym	Urolithin A
Target	Human Endogenous Metabolite
Pathway	Protease/Metabolic Enzyme--Drug Metabolite
CAS No. (CAS NO.)	1143-70-0
Formula	C13H8O4
Molecular Weight	228.20
Appearance	Powder
Purity	≥98%
Solubility	Soluble in DMSO

 

Sources of Urolithin A

Urolithin A is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is mainly derived from proteins in food. Protein-rich foods such as fish, meat and dairy products are the main sources of Urolithin A. In addition, the body can synthesize Urolithin A itself, but in relatively large quantities. In addition, the body is also able to synthesize Urolithin A itself, but in relatively small amounts.

Many foods contain polyphenols, of which two very special ones are ellagitannins (ETs) and ellagic acid (EA), which are hydrolyzed in the intestine to ellagic acid (ellagic acid), which is subsequently further metabolized to urushiol A.

As early as the 1980s, humans first identified Urolithin A in the metabolites of ellagic acid (EA) in rats, and later, intestinal flora were found to convert ellagitannins (ETs) to Urolithin A, including in flies and humans.

Mechanism of action of Urolithin A

Urocitin A has a variety of immunomodulatory effects, and its mechanisms of action include the following:

1. Promote the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells: Urolithin A can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells, increase the number of immune cells, enhance the function of immune cells and improve the immunity of the body. Urocitin A can be used to improve the immunocompromisedpeople, such as the elderly, patients with impaired immune function and so on.
2. Enhancement of immune cell activity: Urolithin A can be used as an immune enhancer, which can enhance the activity of immune cells, improve the ability of immunecells in recognizing and clearing pathogens, improve the immunity of the body, and prevent and treat infectious diseases.
3. Inhibit the growth of tumor cells: Urolithin A has the effect of inhibiting the proliferationand spread of tumor cells, and it can be used as an adjuvant therapy of anti-tumor drugs to improve the effect of tumor treatment, and it has certain anti-tumor effects.
4. Regulate the balance of immune response: Urolithin A has the effect ofregulating the balance of immune response, avoiding excessive inflammatory reaction and autoimmune diseases, preventing and treating autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and so on.

Application of Urolithin

Attenuating amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau protein lesions, inducing mitochondrial autophagy, and treating Alzheimer's disease

Long-term intake of Urolithin A significantly improves learning, memory, and olfactory functions in different Alzheimer's disease model mice. The results indicated that Urolithin A could stimulate the induction of mitochondrial autophagy by enhancing lysosomal function, reduce the significant pathological features of Alzheimer's disease such as abnormal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins, and ameliorate the memory deficits and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease model mice.

A study from the University of Copenhagen also suggests that Urolithin A can be used as an effective preventive and curative tool for Alzheimer's disease, commonly known as dementia. Uricetin A helps to improve cognitive performance in laboratory rats and has the potential to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease.

Modulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidative metabolism and attenuation of cardiac lipotoxicity

It was shown that inflammatory cardiac injury, mitochondrial dysfunction and myocardial apoptosis levels were increased in severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute cardiac injury (SACI) mice treated with Urolithin A. Urocitin A significantly ameliorated inflammatory injury and mitochondrial dysfunction in SACI. By modulating CPT1, the study found that Urolithin A also modulated mitochondrial fatty acid oxidative metabolism and attenuated cardiac lipotoxicity.

Urocitin A effectively alleviated myocardial mitochondrial injury in SACI mice, and the underlying mechanism involves the regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidative metabolism and the reduction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which is of great significance for the in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of SACI and the development of related drugs.

Multi-pathwayantioxidant and anti-inflammatory against oxidative stress Compared to other metabolites, Urolithin A displays potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

It can antioxidize through multiple pathways: for example, it can directly scavenge free radicals to reduce oxidative stress; activate the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway to enhance cellular antioxidant defense; and inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species to protect cells from oxidative damage.

Effective in improving liver or kidney damage

Researchers found in a 2020 study that Urolithin A, can ameliorate liver and kidney damage in mice through mechanisms such as attenuating oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis.

The results of the study showed that ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) levels in the liver-treated group (using 3 different doses of Urolithin), showed a significant recovery when compared to the control group (untreated), and the results suggest that Urolithin A improves liver function and liver injury.

Restore the function of senescent hematopoietic stem cells and upgrade the immune system

Hematopoietic stem cells play a vital role in maintaining the normal functioning of the blood system and immune system, and when they age, they may cause conditions such as immunodeficiency and increased risk of chronic disease.

A study published in August 2023 in the top journal Nature showed that Urolithin A restored the function of hematopoietic stem cells in aging mice (18 months of age or older) to the level of young mice at 8-12 weeks of age. Urocitin A promotes mitochondrial autophagy and regeneration, which enhances the viability of hematopoietic stem cells, making them more "youthful," and thus improving immunity.

 Improve muscle strength and increase endurance

Muscle mass and strength naturally decline gradually with age, but factors such as diet and exercise are effective in improving this process. The study found that subjects in the Urolithin A supplement intake group had a significant increase in muscle strength of approximately 12%, as well as improvements in both aerobic endurance and physical performance.

Effective against obesity and improves insulin sensitivity

It has been found that Urolithin A can induce activation of brown fat (which helps weight loss) and browning of white fat (which accelerates lipolysis), while preventing diet-induced fat accumulation. Urocitin A can improve insulin sensitivity in mice and is also effective against obesity, which may be clinically applicable in humans at a later stage.

Slows down intrinsic skin aging and protects skin from UV damage

A June 2023 study found that topical application of a cream containing Urolithin A (at 1%) resulted in a reduction in the depth of facial wrinkles and a significant improvement in skin hydration in subjects, as well as inhibition of collagen degradation and pro-inflammatory pathways. After UV-B irradiation testing, it was observed that Urolithin A protected the skin from UV-B-mediated photodamage.

In the future, with the deepening of the research on Urolithin A, we believe that its application in immunomodulation will be more extensive and make greater contributions to human health.

Product Recommendation

Product name	Item number	Specification
Urolithin A	53241ES08	5 mg
	53241ES10	10 mg
	53241ES25	25 mg

Urolithin A (Urolithin A) has high purity, stable performance, many users and quality assurance!