Pomegranate compounds show potential to improve heart failure

Researchers have identified a natural compound that may improve heart function in individuals suffering from Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). The study, led by Joseph Burgoyne of King's College London, focuses on urolithin A, a compound produced by the gut microbiome when consuming plant-based foods containing ellagitannins.

Ellagitannins are found in foods such as pomegranate, walnuts, and various berries. In laboratory tests using animal models and human heart tissue engineered from stem cells, urolithin A was shown to target the PKG1alpha protein, which plays a critical role in relaxing the heart muscle. Animal models treated with urolithin A showed up to an 80 percent improvement in heart function compared to untreated models.

HFpEF is a common form of heart failure affecting millions globally, characterized by a stiffening of the heart muscle that prevents efficient filling and pumping. Current treatments typically involve medication and lifestyle changes, but researchers suggest that targeting these specific biological mechanisms could provide more direct therapeutic options.