Urolithin A targets the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathways and prevents IL-1β-induced inflammatory response in human osteoarthritis: in vitro and in vivo studies

Fu X, Gong LF, Wu YF, Lin Z, Jiang BJ, Wu L, Yu KH · Food & Function

Concentration-dependent suppression of NO, PGE2, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α and IL-6 in human OA chondrocytes, with lower MMP13 and ADAMTS5 and less extracellular-matrix degradation, acting through PI3K/Akt/NF-κB. Protective in the surgical mouse model. The compound tested is what the gut makes of pomegranate, not what is in the fruit.

Population

Human OA chondrocytes and a surgically induced mouse OA model

Intervention

Urolithin A, the gut-microbial metabolite of pomegranate ellagitannins

Comparator

IL-1β alone; untreated operated mice

Limitations

Cell and mouse. Urolithin A is applied directly; whether a given person makes it from food is a separate question with a large individual variation.