3. Results
EA, punicalin and punicalagin A&B in PJ and PJSP were analyzed
by HPLC. PJSP and PJ contained equivalent amounts of EA, punicalin
and punicalagin A&B (Table 1).
No significant difference in urine urolithin concentration was
observed in individuals consuming PJ or PJSP. Table 2 shows pharmacokinetic
parameter estimates, and Fig. 2 shows corresponding
time–concentration for EA in plasma after consumption of a single
dose of PJ or PJSP. The plasma EA concentrations generally peaked
between 1 and 2 h following the consumption of PJ or PJSP, and the
plasma EA concentration returned to near baseline at about 6 h
after consumption (Fig. 1 and Table 2). The maximum concentration
(Cmax) of plasma EA was reduced significantly (P = 0.006),
while the elimination half-life (t1/2E) was increased (P = 0.056)
when subjects consumed PJSP compared to PJ (Table 2). Nonetheless,
there was no statistical difference in the area under the concentration–
time curve (AUC) and the time to reach Cmax (Tmax)
for EA between the consumption of PJ and PJSP (Table 2). Urolithins
(Uro-A, -B and -C), produced by the gut microbiota from EA and
ETs, were detected in urine samples. The total content of Uro-A,
B and C in urine over 48 h did not differ following the consumption
of PJ or PJSP (Fig. 2).