Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges
With the global trend of population aging becoming increasingly pronounced, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders continues to rise, posing a significant challenge to public health systems worldwide. Currently, many CNS disorders lack effective treatments, prompting researchers to...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1553 |
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| author | Qiang Zhang Wan Zhang Xinya Yuan Xiaohong Peng Guangyuan Hu |
| author_facet | Qiang Zhang Wan Zhang Xinya Yuan Xiaohong Peng Guangyuan Hu |
| author_sort | Qiang Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With the global trend of population aging becoming increasingly pronounced, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders continues to rise, posing a significant challenge to public health systems worldwide. Currently, many CNS disorders lack effective treatments, prompting researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of natural compounds. Urolithin A (UA), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, can cross the blood–brain barrier and exhibits a favorable safety profile. This review summarizes the biosynthesis, pharmacokinetic profile, and key biological effects of UA, including its promotion of mitophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis, as well as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-senescence, and anti-apoptotic properties. We comprehensively summarize the preclinical evidence demonstrating UA’s therapeutic potential in CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Recent clinical trials involving UA are presented, followed by a thorough analysis of the challenges associated with translating UA-based interventions into clinical practice for CNS disorders. This work aims to support the development of UA-based therapies to improve patient outcomes and address the growing global burden of CNS disorders. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e7ccf89b952b4884bc984c4c8f6e41a6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-e7ccf89b952b4884bc984c4c8f6e41a62025-08-20T04:00:54ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-06-01137155310.3390/biomedicines13071553Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and ChallengesQiang Zhang0Wan Zhang1Xinya Yuan2Xiaohong Peng3Guangyuan Hu4Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaWith the global trend of population aging becoming increasingly pronounced, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders continues to rise, posing a significant challenge to public health systems worldwide. Currently, many CNS disorders lack effective treatments, prompting researchers to investigate the therapeutic potential of natural compounds. Urolithin A (UA), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, can cross the blood–brain barrier and exhibits a favorable safety profile. This review summarizes the biosynthesis, pharmacokinetic profile, and key biological effects of UA, including its promotion of mitophagy and mitochondrial homeostasis, as well as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-senescence, and anti-apoptotic properties. We comprehensively summarize the preclinical evidence demonstrating UA’s therapeutic potential in CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Recent clinical trials involving UA are presented, followed by a thorough analysis of the challenges associated with translating UA-based interventions into clinical practice for CNS disorders. This work aims to support the development of UA-based therapies to improve patient outcomes and address the growing global burden of CNS disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1553urolithin Acentral nervous system disordersneuroprotectionmitochondria |
| spellingShingle | Qiang Zhang Wan Zhang Xinya Yuan Xiaohong Peng Guangyuan Hu Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges Biomedicines urolithin A central nervous system disorders neuroprotection mitochondria |
| title | Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges |
| title_full | Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges |
| title_short | Urolithin A in Central Nervous System Disorders: Therapeutic Applications and Challenges |
| title_sort | urolithin a in central nervous system disorders therapeutic applications and challenges |
| topic | urolithin A central nervous system disorders neuroprotection mitochondria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1553 |
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