Urolithin A — Urolithin / mitophagy inducer
Urolithin A (UA) is produced by gut microbiota (Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens, Ellagibacter isourolithinifaciens) from ellagitannins found in pomegranates, walnuts, and raspberries. Approximately 40% of people have the gut microbiome capable of producing clinically significant UA levels. Urolithin A activates mitophagy (selective autophagy of damaged mitochondria) via PINK1/Parkin pathway activation and inhibition of mitochondria-ER contact site destabilization. Clinical phase 1 (Ryu 2016): 500 mg/day safely elevated muscle mitochondrial gene expression. Phase 2 (Liu 2022, n=88 elderly adults): improved muscle strength and endurance, elevated mitochondrial health biomarkers. Mitopure is the branded standardized form.
Overview
This page is part of Hormonaly's evidence-graded compound library. All clinical claims are linked to peer-reviewed sources via our dual-layer citation verification pipeline.
Compound Class
Urolithin / mitophagy inducer
Mechanism of Action
Urolithin A (UA) is produced by gut microbiota (Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens, Ellagibacter isourolithinifaciens) from ellagitannins found in pomegranates, walnuts, and raspberries. Approximately 40% of people have the gut microbiome capable of producing clinically significant UA levels. Urolithin A activates mitophagy (selective autophagy of damaged mitochondria) via PINK1/Parkin pathway activation and inhibition of mitochondria-ER contact site destabilization. Clinical phase 1 (Ryu 2016): 500 mg/day safely elevated muscle mitochondrial gene expression. Phase 2 (Liu 2022, n=88 elderly adults): improved muscle strength and endurance, elevated mitochondrial health biomarkers. Mitopure is the branded standardized form.
Regulatory Status
OTC dietary supplement. Mitopure is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Not FDA-approved for any indication.
Evidence Level
Emerging — 2 human RCTs (Phase 1/2). Robust preclinical mechanistic data. No Phase 3 trials. One of the strongest science-backed longevity nutraceuticals by mechanistic rigor.