Cited by 465Pomegranate: compositions and health benefitsGut microbiota and healthPhytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Urolithins, the rescue of “old” metabolites to understand a “new” concept: Metabotypes as a nexus among phenolic metabolism, microbiota dysbiosis, and host health status

Tomás‐Barberán, Francisco A., González‐Sarrías, Antonio, García‐Villalba, Rocío, Núñez‐Sánchez, María A., Selma, María V., García‐Conesa, María T., Espín, Juan Carlos·2017·Molecular Nutrition & Food Research

Abstract

Urolithins are dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one derivatives that are produced by the human gut microbiota from ellagitannins and ellagic acid (EA). These metabolites are much better absorbed than their precursors and have been suggested to be responsible for the health effects attributed to ellagitannins and EA that occur in food products as berries and nuts. In the present review, the role and potential of urolithins in human health are critically reviewed, and a perspective of the research approach needed to demonstrate these health effects is presented, based on the existing knowledge. The analytical methods available for urolithin analysis, their occurrence in different tissues and biological fluids, and their metabolism by human gut microbiota are considered. In addition, the interindividual variability observed for the production of urolithins (metabotypes) and its relationship with health status and dysbiosis are also reviewed. The potential mechanisms of action of urolithins are also critically discussed, paying attention to the concentration and the type of metabolites used in the in vitro and in vivo assays and the physiological significance of the results obtained. The gut microbiota metabolism of EA to urolithins and that of daidzein to equol, their individual variations, and the effects on health are also compared.

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Crossref · 10.1002/mnfr.201500901

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  • Among urolithins, urolithin A displays potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiaging properties.

    “Among urolithins, urolithin A (UroA) displays potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiaging properties.130,133, 134, 135”

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Authors
Tomás‐Barberán, F. A., González‐Sarrías, A., García‐Villalba, R., Núñez‐Sánchez, M. A., Selma, M. V., García‐Conesa, M. T., & Espín, J. C.
Affiliations
  • Research Group on Quality Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods CEBAS‐CSIC Murcia Spain
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Venue
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-06-20
Volume
61
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 1613-4125 (ISSN-L)
  • 1613-4133
OpenAlex
W2346306153
Cited by
465
References
148
Citations by year
2026: 42 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 47 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 67 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 7 · 2013: 1
FWCI
4.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (312090)
  • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2011‐22447)
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (201370E068)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Pomegranate: compositions and health benefits
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
Keywords
urolithins, ellagitannins, ellagic acid, gut microbiota, metabolic phenotypes, dysbiosis, phenolic metabolism, interindividual variability, daidzein, equol, health effects, mechanism of action
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Antineoplastic Agents, Antioxidants, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Coumarins, Health Status, Humans, Mass Spectrometry, Hydrolyzable Tannins, Lipid Metabolism, Dysbiosis

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