Ellagic Acid (Tannin Hydrolysis Polyphenol · Antiproliferative · Urolithin Precursor)

Compound	Ellagic Acid
Chemical class	Polyphenol — Hydroxybenzoic Acid Dilactone (Ellagitannin Hydrolysis Product)
CAS	476-66-4
Primary source	Punica granatum (pomegranate), Rubus idaeus (raspberry), Terminalia spp.
Key applications	Antiproliferative, antioxidant, urolithin precursor, gut health
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Pomegranate extract standardised to ellagic acid (40–90%); ellagic acid isolate
Buy from Herbuno	Pomegranate Extract Powder | Anar → Ellagic Acid 90% Powder (Pomegranate) | High-Purity Isolate | Punica granatum →

Name origin: From Latin ellagic — named after the French word for the gallotannin source (gallee), with the structure elucidated by the rearrangement of HHDP (hexahydroxydiphenic acid) into the dilactone ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is the biologically relevant aglycone produced by hydrolysis and lactonisation of ellagitannins. Traditional use: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has been used medicinally for millennia across Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, and East Asian traditions for digestive complaints, dysentery, skin conditions, and as a general tonic. Ellagic acid is now identified as a key contributor to pomegranate’s antioxidant and antiproliferative properties alongside punicalagins and anthocyanins. Research trajectory: Ellagic acid has an extensive preclinical evidence base for antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Its significance has grown dramatically with the discovery that gut microbial metabolism of ellagitannins produces urolithins — ellagic acid metabolites with potent mitophagy-inducing and anti-ageing properties. Commercial source: Ellagic acid is commercially available as a high-purity isolate (90% and 40% HPLC grades) and as a standardised constituent of pomegranate (Punica granatum) rind extract. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Ellagic Acid Applications

Antiproliferative activity: Ellagic acid demonstrates dose-dependent antiproliferative activity across multiple cancer cell lines (breast, colon, prostate, cervical) via induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and caspase-mediated apoptosis. NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin inhibition are primary mechanisms. Phase I/II clinical trials of pomegranate extract (ellagic acid-containing) show PSA doubling time prolongation in prostate cancer patients, though as dietary supplements rather than drug-level interventions. Claim strength: Moderate (preclinical convergent; early human data for pomegranate extract).

Antioxidant capacity: Ellagic acid is a potent antioxidant with multiple hydroxyl groups providing radical-scavenging, metal-chelating, and Nrf2-activating activity. Human supplementation studies with pomegranate extract consistently show increased plasma antioxidant capacity (ORAC, FRAP) and reduced oxidative stress biomarkers. Claim strength: High (for pomegranate extract antioxidant; ellagic acid contribution well-established).

Urolithin precursor and gut health: Ellagic acid from ellagitannin hydrolysis is converted by gut microbiota to urolithins (urolithin A, B, C, D) — metabolites with potent mitophagy-inducing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing properties. Urolithin A has been studied in human clinical trials for muscle function in older adults. Ellagic acid/ellagitannin consumption is the dietary route to urolithin production. Claim strength: Moderate (urolithin pharmacology moderate-high; ellagic acid as precursor well-characterised).

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

Pomegranate extract clinical studies: 500–1000 mg/day standardised pomegranate extract (40% ellagic acid, delivering 200–400 mg ellagic acid/day). For isolated ellagic acid supplementation: 50–200 mg/day. Herbuno’s Ellagic Acid 90% Powder allows precise high-purity dosing; the Pomegranate Extract 40% delivers ellagic acid alongside punicalagins and anthocyanins for a full pomegranate polyphenol profile.

Important bioavailability note: ellagic acid itself has very low oral bioavailability (~0.5–2%) as the intact molecule is poorly absorbed. Its clinical significance is primarily as a precursor to urolithins, which are efficiently produced by gut microbiota in approximately 30–50% of individuals (urolithin producer status parallels equol producer variability for soy isoflavones). For the most predictable systemic effects, pre-formed urolithin A supplementation is available from specialist suppliers.

Ellagic acid has low aqueous solubility (~0.01 mg/mL at neutral pH; better in alkaline). Stable in dry solid formats; sensitive to light oxidation. Pomegranate extract is more stable than isolated ellagic acid in finished product formats due to the tannin matrix providing antioxidant protection.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Ellagic Acid

What is the relationship between ellagic acid and urolithins?
Ellagitannins in pomegranate and berries are hydrolysed to ellagic acid in the gut. Specific gut bacteria (Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens, Ellagibacter isourolithinifaciens) further metabolise ellagic acid to urolithins (primarily urolithin A in humans). Urolithin A is now commercially available as a direct supplement ingredient (Mitopure by Timeline Nutrition) for mitophagy and muscle health, bypassing the gut microbial conversion step and the 30–50% non-producer variability.

Should I formulate with ellagic acid or directly with urolithin A?
For consistent pharmacological effects from urolithin-dependent mechanisms (mitophagy, muscle function), pre-formed urolithin A is more reliable due to elimination of non-producer variability. For broad-spectrum pomegranate polyphenol positioning (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative), pomegranate extract standardised to ellagic acid content provides the full phytochemical matrix and is commercially well-established. The two approaches serve different formulation positioning strategies.

Is pomegranate extract standardised to ellagic acid or punicalagins?
Both specifications exist. Ellagic acid standardisation (40% or 90% HPLC) is the most common for supplement applications — it provides a precise marker of ellagitannin-derived content. Punicalagin standardisation (30–40% by HPLC) is used in premium preparations where the intact tannin polymer (rather than its hydrolysis product) is considered the primary active. Ellagic acid-standardised extract is more commonly available and analytically reproducible.

Does the antiproliferative evidence for ellagic acid support anticancer claims?
No. Supplement-level antiproliferative activity in cell lines does not support therapeutic cancer claims in regulatory frameworks. The PSA doubling time data from pomegranate extract studies are exploratory and not sufficient for cancer treatment or prevention claims. Position as “may support healthy cell cycle function” or “antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support” consistent with the evidence base and within permissible claim frameworks.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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