The Protective Effect of Ellagic Acid and Its Metabolites Against Organ Injuries: A Mitochondrial Perspective

TL;DR

This review explains how ellagic acid and its gut-derived metabolites protect mitochondria from damage caused by drugs and toxins.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the mitochondrial protective mechanisms of ellagic acid and urolithins.

Findings

Ellagic acid and urolithins regulate mitochondrial complexes and sirtuins.

They enhance mitophagy and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes.

These compounds protect against mitochondrial injuries from drugs and toxic compounds.

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential for maintaining health, and dysfunction of them leads to various diseases. Their role is not limited to energy production but serves multiple mechanisms varying from calcium hemostasis, reactive oxygen species production, and regulation of apoptotic cell death. In recent years, several strategies have been developed to preserve mitochondria. Ellagic acid (EA) is a polyphenol extracted from many plants. The intestinal microflora converts EA to urolithins with high bioavailability. EA and urolithins exhibit mitochondrial‐protective effects by regulating mitochondrial complexes, sirtuins, mitophagy, and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes. This review highlights the mito‐protective effects of EA and urolithins on mitochondrial injuries induced by various drugs and toxic compounds.

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural compound and its gut microbiota derivatives (urolithins) play a crucial role in the treatment of multiple diseases. This review highlights the mito‐protective effects of EA and urolithins on mitochondrial injuries induced by various drugs and toxic compounds.

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