LONDON / RankWire.AI / – A compound naturally found in pomegranates has demonstrated improvements in several heart function indicators in experimental models of HFpEF. Urolithin A, the compound in question, facilitated more effective relaxation of the heart between beats and contributed to reductions in fibrosis and abnormal expansion of heart muscle cells. Some of the measured effects increased by as much as 80% in comparison to untreated animal models. Researchers also observed positive results in engineered human cardiac tissue, adding further laboratory evidence supporting these findings.
HFpEF, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, occurs when the heart still pumps normally but struggles to relax properly, limiting how well the chambers fill with blood between beats. Patients often experience symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, and diminished exercise capacity. In the United Kingdom, about half of all heart failure cases are attributed to HFpEF. Urolithin A is produced when gut microbes process specific compounds present in pomegranates, walnuts, and various berries, although individual production levels vary.
The investigation identified PKGIα, a protein that supports normal vascular function and cardiac relaxation, as the target of urolithin A. The compound modifies a particular part of this protein called cysteine 42, which activates a pathway associated with cardiovascular health. The study also explored the effects of urolithin A on heart tissue structure. King’s College London researchers reported enhancements in diastolic function, less tissue scarring, and a reduction in the enlargement of heart muscle cells in treated experimental subjects.
Laboratory models show improved heart relaxation with Urolithin A
Focus was placed on diastolic function, which assesses how effectively the heart relaxes and fills after each contraction. The models treated with urolithin A outperformed untreated controls on multiple measures. Additionally, a reduction in fibrosis was observed, which can stiffen heart tissue and hinder filling. The reported improvements of up to 80% applied to specific experimental metrics. It is important to note that these results do not indicate an 80% improvement in patient symptoms, as the research did not involve clinical testing in humans.
Further testing involved engineered human heart tissue created from stem cells. Such laboratory models enable scientists to analyze human cardiac tissue in controlled environments. Urolithin A improved both relaxation and contraction behaviors in these samples. Previous human studies examining urolithin A for other applications have reported a favorable safety profile. However, since the current research did not include clinical trials involving HFpEF patients, the findings are limited to animal models and laboratory-grown human tissues.
Further human studies are required to confirm heart failure benefits
British Heart Foundation funded the research and emphasized the compound’s role in improving heart relaxation during early testing stages. The organization also clarified that these findings do not equate to a proven treatment for HFpEF. Researchers advised against interpreting the results as evidence that eating pomegranates can cure heart failure. The study focused on urolithin A and its biological activity, not dietary pomegranate intake. No tested food in the research demonstrated an ability to prevent or treat heart failure.
This research highlights PKGIα cysteine 42 as a specific biological target relevant to HFpEF. It also presents laboratory evidence that urolithin A can activate this pathway, leading to improvements in various markers associated with cardiac relaxation. HFpEF frequently co-occurs with conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, and remains a significant form of heart failure globally. Clinical trials are necessary to determine whether the compound produces similar effects in patients and if those effects translate into tangible health benefits.