Urolithin A in Health and Diseases: Prospects for Parkinson’s Disease Management

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a complex pathophysiology and a range of symptoms. The prevalence increases with age, putting the ageing population at risk. Disease management includes the improvement of symptoms, the comfort of the patient’s life, and palliative care. As there is currently no cure, growing evidence points towards the beneficial role of polyphenols on neurodegeneration. Numerous studies indicate the health benefits of the family of urolithins, especially urolithin A (UA). UA is a bacterial metabolite produced by dietary ellagitannins and ellagic acid. An expanding body of literature explores the involvement of the compound in mitochondrial health, and its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. The review organizes the existing knowledge on the role of UA in health and diseases, emphasizing neurodegenerative diseases, especially PD. We gathered data on the potential neuroprotective effect in in vivo and in vitro models. We discussed the possible mechanisms of action of the compound and related health benefits to give a broader perspective of potential applications of UA in neuroprotective strategies. Moreover, we projected the future directions of applying UA in PD management.

Prospective Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Standardized Oral Pomegranate Extract on the Gut Microbiome and Short-Chain Fatty Acids

“…Urolithins are bioactive compounds produced by gut bacteria as a result of ellagitannin and ellagic acid-rich food metabolism, such as in pomegranate extract consumption [ 29 ]. Urolithins as a class have been shown to have anti-cancer [ 30 ], neuroprotective [ 31 ], cardioprotective [ 32 ], and anti-inflammatory [ 33 ] properties. Some of the bacteria involved in urolithin production include the Lactobacillus , Roseburia , Fusobacterium , Streptococcus , Slackia , and Bacillus genera [ 34 ].…”

Urolithins and Their Precursors Ellagic Acid and Ellagitannins: Natural Sources, Extraction and Methods for Their Determination

“…They are primarily produced by the gut microbiota in humans and some animals that receive ETs and EA through their diet [5]. Specifically, urolithin A (Uro-A) is one of the major metabolites of EA and it has exhibited a wide range of bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective, among others [9,10,[150][151][152].…”

Effects of Walnut and Pumpkin on Selective Neurophenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

“…There is evidence that urolithin A stimulates AMPK pathway activation, which prevents apoptosis in cells with damaged mitochondria and guides metabolic processes towards mitophagy [163][164][165]. Thus, the stimulation of mitophagy, a process by which damaged mitochondria are recycled to permit renewal with healthy mitochondria, is the major signaling effect of urolithin A [166,167]. Figure 5 demonstrates the effect of walnuts in ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction.…”