RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-104

Urolithin A

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

75/100

The most credible mitophagy inducer on the market. Real human trials, real mechanism, gut-microbiome dependency is the wrinkle

Urolithin A is one of the more rigorous stories in the geroscience space, mostly because Amazentis (now Timeline) actually ran the trials. The molecule is a gut-microbiome-derived metabolite of ellagitannins (from pomegranate, walnuts, raspberries), and the Auwerx group at EPFL identified it as a potent mitophagy inducer through PINK1/Parkin signaling. The 2016 Nature Medicine paper showed extension of lifespan and improved muscle function in C. elegans and aged mice. Thats the foundation.

The human translation has been unusually solid for a longevity compound. The 2019 Andreux trial in Nature Metabolism showed urolithin A induced mitochondrial gene signatures in skeletal muscle of older adults. The Liu 2022 trial in JAMA Network Open in middle-aged subjects showed measurable improvements in muscle endurance with 500mg or 1000mg daily over four months. These are not enormous effect sizes, but they're real, and they replicated.

Mechanism is well-mapped. Urolithin A promotes mitophagy, the selective autophagy of damaged mitochondria, which is one of the cleaner axes in mitochondrial quality control. Damaged mitochondria accumulate with age, mitophagy declines with age, restoring mitophagy improves mitochondrial function in aged tissue. That chain has good supporting evidence at each step.

The wrinkle is the gut microbiome. Whether you produce urolithin A from dietary ellagitannins depends on whether you have the right gut bacteria (largely Gordonibacter-type strains), and population studies suggest only 30-40% of adults are good urolithin A producers. So the supplemental form bypasses this and gives you the molecule directly, which is the whole commercial pitch.

What we like: real mitophagy mechanism, real human trials, real muscle function endpoints, reasonable dose-response. Combination work with NAD+ precursors makes sense mechanistically and is being studied.

What we dont like is the price. Urolithin A is one of the more expensive longevity compounds per gram, partly because the synthesis isnt trivial and partly because Timeline has IP positioning. Generic suppliers exist but quality variance is real.

Sourcing: reputable urolithin A is HPLC 97%+ and stable in normal storage. Avoid mixed urolithin A/B/C material unless that's what you want for comparison purposes. The Mitopure-grade material is well-characterized; generics vary more.

One of the more defensible aging molecules out there right now.

Evidence: 70
Mechanism: 82
Reliability: 75
Safety: 85
Sourcing: 75
Value: 55
Signal: 78
Staying power: 78

Plain-language summary Intrigue 78 / 100

Urolithin A is a natural compound produced by gut bacteria from pomegranate, walnuts, and berries. It induces mitophagy, the process of cleaning out damaged mitochondria. Amazentis sells a clinical-grade form as Mitopure. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Mitophagy inducer

A gut microbial metabolite of ellagitannins (pomegranate, walnut), characterized as a potent mitophagy inducer that improves muscle function in aged subjects.

Abstract

Urolithin A (3,8-dihydroxy-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one; CAS 1143-70-0; molecular formula C13H8O4; molecular weight 244.20) is a metabolite produced by gut microbiota from ellagitannins (present in pomegranate, walnut, raspberry). Only approximately 30 to 40 percent of human individuals harbor the gut bacteria capable of producing urolithin A from dietary ellagitannins; direct supplementation bypasses the microbial conversion. The compound was identified as a potent mitophagy inducer by Johan Auwerx's group at EPFL in 2016. Mitophagy (the autophagic clearance of damaged mitochondria) declines with age; urolithin A restores mitophagy and improves mitochondrial function in aged tissues. Phase 2 trials in middle-aged and elderly subjects showed improvements in skeletal muscle endurance and ATP production. The compound is sold as Mitopure by Amazentis. Reported research dose ranges in the literature are typically 250 to 1000 mg.

Mechanism of action

Mitophagy inducer; restores autophagic clearance of damaged mitochondria. Microbially produced from dietary ellagitannins.

Reported research dose ranges

250 to 1000 mg (reported research dose ranges in the literature).

References

Ryu D, et al. Urolithin A induces mitophagy and prolongs lifespan in C. elegans and increases muscle function in rodents. Nat Med 2016.

Read the full monograph

The full reference document covers compound identification, discovery and developmental history, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, reported research dose ranges, sourcing and quality verification, reconstitution and handling, stack interaction considerations, and a curated reference list. Available as a research-use-only PDF download.

KDC-MN-104

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

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FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

Kodiac sells research compounds for investigative use only.

Urolithin A

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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