Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases
Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenol found in various fruits, nuts, and mushrooms. It exhibits a variety of biological activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective properties. EA exerts hepatoprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, inclu...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza Przemysław Niziński Anna Krajewska Tomasz Oniszczuk Maciej Combrzyński Anna Oniszczuk |
| author_facet | Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza Przemysław Niziński Anna Krajewska Tomasz Oniszczuk Maciej Combrzyński Anna Oniszczuk |
| author_sort | Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenol found in various fruits, nuts, and mushrooms. It exhibits a variety of biological activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective properties. EA exerts hepatoprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, including (1) scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses (e.g., by activating Nrf2/ARE), (2) modulating inflammatory signaling pathways (e.g., inhibiting NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6), and (3) regulating apoptosis (e.g., downregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio) and fibrosis (e.g., inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling). Despite its promising preclinical efficacy, the clinical applicability of EA is currently limited by its poor bioavailability. This could potentially be overcome by advanced delivery systems or by directly administering its active microbial metabolites, known as urolithins. EA and its derivatives also modulate the gut microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial species and reducing gut permeability and hepatic inflammation. Preliminary clinical trials and other emerging evidence suggest that EA may reduce liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation. However, more extensive human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in managing liver disease. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of EA in the treatment of liver diseases, particularly metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-83c4de63965346b68bd157045e5ca0d0 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-83c4de63965346b68bd157045e5ca0d02025-06-25T14:13:39ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012259610.3390/molecules30122596Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver DiseasesKarolina Wojtunik-Kulesza0Przemysław Niziński1Anna Krajewska2Tomasz Oniszczuk3Maciej Combrzyński4Anna Oniszczuk5Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, PolandChair of Comprehensive Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodżki 6, 20-093 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Thermal Technology and Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Thermal Technology and Food Process Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 31, 20-612 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, PolandEllagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenol found in various fruits, nuts, and mushrooms. It exhibits a variety of biological activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective properties. EA exerts hepatoprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, including (1) scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses (e.g., by activating Nrf2/ARE), (2) modulating inflammatory signaling pathways (e.g., inhibiting NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6), and (3) regulating apoptosis (e.g., downregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio) and fibrosis (e.g., inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling). Despite its promising preclinical efficacy, the clinical applicability of EA is currently limited by its poor bioavailability. This could potentially be overcome by advanced delivery systems or by directly administering its active microbial metabolites, known as urolithins. EA and its derivatives also modulate the gut microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial species and reducing gut permeability and hepatic inflammation. Preliminary clinical trials and other emerging evidence suggest that EA may reduce liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation. However, more extensive human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in managing liver disease. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of EA in the treatment of liver diseases, particularly metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2596polyphenolsantioxidantsellagic acidurolithinsMASLD |
| spellingShingle | Karolina Wojtunik-Kulesza Przemysław Niziński Anna Krajewska Tomasz Oniszczuk Maciej Combrzyński Anna Oniszczuk Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases Molecules polyphenols antioxidants ellagic acid urolithins MASLD |
| title | Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases |
| title_full | Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases |
| title_fullStr | Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases |
| title_short | Therapeutic Potential of Ellagic Acid in Liver Diseases |
| title_sort | therapeutic potential of ellagic acid in liver diseases |
| topic | polyphenols antioxidants ellagic acid urolithins MASLD |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2596 |
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