# Impact of the Combination of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Ellagic Acid Supplemented with Ketone Bodies on Energetic Restoration of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Metabolic Inefficiencies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Review

**Authors:** Jose Enrique de la Rubia Ortí, Alba Roig-Soriano, Sandra Carrera-Juliá, Alejandra Castelló-Guillen, Marisa Machado, Rocío García-Villalba, Jorge Alarcón-Jiménez, Nieves de Bernardo, María Benlloch

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27052168 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-02-25

## TL;DR

This review explores how combining ketone bodies, EGCG, and ellagic acid may help restore mitochondrial function in multiple sclerosis patients.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a multi-target therapeutic strategy combining βHB, EGCG, and EA for mitochondrial and metabolic restoration in MS.

## Key findings

- Ketone bodies restore complex I activity via sirtuin-dependent pathways.
- EA-derived urolithins enhance mitochondrial biogenesis in the central nervous system.
- Clinical trials show improvements in fatigue, cognition, and muscle function with supplementation.

## Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by progressive mitochondrial dysfunction affecting complexes I, III, and IV of the electron transport chain, contributing to axonal energy failure and neurodegeneration. This review examines the potential of combining β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and ellagic acid (EA) as a multi-target therapeutic strategy to restore mitochondrial function in patients with MS. Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that each compound exerts complementary mechanisms. Ketone bodies provide an alternative energy substrate and restore complex I activity via sirtuin-dependent pathways. EGCG acts predominantly at the peripheral level by reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. EA-derived urolithins effectively cross the blood–brain barrier to directly enhance mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory chain function in the central nervous system. Clinical trials have reported improvements in fatigue, cognition, mood, and muscle function following supplementation with these compounds. The convergence of their actions on energy restoration, reactive oxygen species reduction, and epigenetic modulation of protective pathways suggests their synergistic potential. Optimized delivery strategies, including exogenous ketone salts, liposomal EGCG, and microencapsulated EA, may overcome bioavailability limitations and interindividual variability in the gut microbiota metabolism.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** β-hydroxybutyrate (PubChem CID 92135), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (PubChem CID 65064), ellagic acid (PubChem CID 5281855)
- **Diseases:** multiple sclerosis (MONDO:0005301)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** neurodegeneration (MESH:D019636), Mitochondrial Dysfunction (MESH:D028361), fatigue (MESH:D005221), axonal energy failure (MESH:D051437), inflammation (MESH:D007249), Metabolic Inefficiencies (MESH:D008659), MS (MESH:D009103)
- **Chemicals:** Ketone Bodies (MESH:D007657), ketone salts (-), beta-hydroxybutyrate (MESH:D020155), EA (MESH:D004610), EGCG (MESH:C045651), reactive oxygen species (MESH:D017382)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985127/full.md

## References

92 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985127/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12985127