Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health

Ellagitannins are bioactive phenolic acids found in various fruits, plants, and beverages such as wine and spirits. This review aims to discuss the metabolism, absorption, and some health benefits related to the intestinal activity of these molecules, as well as some supplements developed from them....

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Main Authors: Erick M. Raya-Morquecho, Pedro Aguilar-Zarate, Leonardo Sepúlveda, Mariela R. Michel, Anna Iliná, Cristóbal N. Aguilar, Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Microbiology Research
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/6/113
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author Erick M. Raya-Morquecho
Pedro Aguilar-Zarate
Leonardo Sepúlveda
Mariela R. Michel
Anna Iliná
Cristóbal N. Aguilar
Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés
author_facet Erick M. Raya-Morquecho
Pedro Aguilar-Zarate
Leonardo Sepúlveda
Mariela R. Michel
Anna Iliná
Cristóbal N. Aguilar
Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés
author_sort Erick M. Raya-Morquecho
collection DOAJ
description Ellagitannins are bioactive phenolic acids found in various fruits, plants, and beverages such as wine and spirits. This review aims to discuss the metabolism, absorption, and some health benefits related to the intestinal activity of these molecules, as well as some supplements developed from them. Ellagitannins are first biodegraded to ellagic acid and then to urolithins, which are more easily absorbed. This process is mediated by specific enzymes and intestinal microbiota. Not all individuals can metabolize ellagitannins into urolithins due to differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, resulting in three phenotypes: metabotypes A, B, and 0. In recent decades, ellagitannins and their derivatives (ellagic acid and urolithins) have gained significant attention for their potential benefits against various digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, gastritis, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. As a result, nutraceutical supplements have been developed to treat these conditions, representing significant and promising applications of these compounds in digestive health.
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spelling doaj-art-bd27e703e2c040b5bf03898e3e90df0e2025-08-20T02:20:59ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812025-06-0116611310.3390/microbiolres16060113Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal HealthErick M. Raya-Morquecho0Pedro Aguilar-Zarate1Leonardo Sepúlveda2Mariela R. Michel3Anna Iliná4Cristóbal N. Aguilar5Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés6Bioprocesses & Bioproducts Research Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoLaboratorio Nacional CONAHCYT Para la Evaluación de Productos Bióticos-LaNAEPBi, Unidad de Servicio Tecnológico Nacional de México/I. T. de Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí 79010, MexicoBioprocesses & Bioproducts Research Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoLaboratorio Nacional CONAHCYT Para la Evaluación de Productos Bióticos-LaNAEPBi, Unidad de Servicio Tecnológico Nacional de México/I. T. de Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí 79010, MexicoNanobioscience Group, Chemistry School, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoBioprocesses & Bioproducts Research Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoBioprocesses & Bioproducts Research Group, Food Research Department, School of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo 25280, MexicoEllagitannins are bioactive phenolic acids found in various fruits, plants, and beverages such as wine and spirits. This review aims to discuss the metabolism, absorption, and some health benefits related to the intestinal activity of these molecules, as well as some supplements developed from them. Ellagitannins are first biodegraded to ellagic acid and then to urolithins, which are more easily absorbed. This process is mediated by specific enzymes and intestinal microbiota. Not all individuals can metabolize ellagitannins into urolithins due to differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, resulting in three phenotypes: metabotypes A, B, and 0. In recent decades, ellagitannins and their derivatives (ellagic acid and urolithins) have gained significant attention for their potential benefits against various digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, gastritis, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. As a result, nutraceutical supplements have been developed to treat these conditions, representing significant and promising applications of these compounds in digestive health.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/6/113ellagitanninsellagic acidurolithinsintestinal absorptiondigestive diseases
spellingShingle Erick M. Raya-Morquecho
Pedro Aguilar-Zarate
Leonardo Sepúlveda
Mariela R. Michel
Anna Iliná
Cristóbal N. Aguilar
Juan A. Ascacio-Valdés
Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
Microbiology Research
ellagitannins
ellagic acid
urolithins
intestinal absorption
digestive diseases
title Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
title_full Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
title_fullStr Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
title_full_unstemmed Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
title_short Ellagitannins and Their Derivatives: A Review on the Metabolization, Absorption, and Some Benefits Related to Intestinal Health
title_sort ellagitannins and their derivatives a review on the metabolization absorption and some benefits related to intestinal health
topic ellagitannins
ellagic acid
urolithins
intestinal absorption
digestive diseases
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/6/113
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