Lausanne, October 4 — A compound found naturally in pomegranates and other polyphenol-rich foods has shown remarkable promise in improving heart function in mice with heart failure, according to new research from Switzerland.
Scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) discovered that urolithin A, a gut metabolite produced when the body breaks down ellagitannins from foods like pomegranates, walnuts, and berries, enhanced the heart muscle’s ability to relax in aged and diseased mouse models. The study, published in Nature Medicine, reported that urolithin A treatment improved heart function by up to 80 percent in mice with induced heart failure after four weeks of supplementation.
Professor Johan Auwerx, who led the research team at EPFL, explained that the compound works by activating mitophagy — a cellular cleanup process that removes damaged mitochondria. “When mitochondria become dysfunctional, they can’t produce energy efficiently and contribute to oxidative stress,” Auwerx said. “Urolithin A helps clear out the damaged parts, preserving the heart’s energy production.”
The researchers observed significant improvements in echocardiographic measures of heart relaxation and filling in treated mice. Some metrics approached those seen in healthy control mice, indicating a near-normalization of diastolic function. Blood tests confirmed that urolithin A levels rose significantly after pomegranate extract consumption, validating the gut-metabolite pathway.
This mechanism is especially relevant in heart failure, where mitochondrial dysfunction impairs both contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. By restoring mitochondrial health, urolithin A addresses a root cause of the condition rather than just its symptoms.
While the results are encouraging, the scientists emphasized caution in translating these findings to humans. “Results in mice may not directly translate to people,” Auwerx noted. “We need clinical trials to determine optimal dosing, long-term safety, and effectiveness in human patients.”
No human trials have yet tested urolithin A specifically for heart failure. However, earlier studies have shown the compound to be safe in humans at doses up to 1,000 mg per day for improving muscle function in older adults. The mouse study did not specify the exact dosage used, though it referenced prior work where 50 mg/kg body weight per day was effective in improving muscle health.
The research was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the European Research Council. Scientists highlighted that urolithin A production varies widely among individuals due to differences in gut microbiome composition, which may influence how much of the compound a person can generate from dietary sources.
As interest grows in how dietary metabolites affect cardiovascular health beyond traditional nutrients, this study adds to evidence that food-derived compounds like urolithin A could play a role in future heart therapies. Researchers say the next step is human clinical trials to explore whether similar benefits can be achieved in people with heart disease.
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