○ Evidence tier 6 — Animal healthspan / lifespan study

Record verify: primary source pending

DesignPreclinical mitophagy + lifespan/function study (C. elegans + rodent)
DOI10.1038/nm.4132
Citation statusdoi verified via Crossref 2026-07-12 (Nat Med 2016;22(8):879-888, Ryu et al., 'Urolithin A induces mitophagy and prolongs lifespan in C. elegans and increases muscle function in rodents'). PMID: needs_primary_fulltext.

Five-qualifier claim

Species / populationC. elegans and rodents (mouse/rat).
Exposure, route, scheduleDietary urolithin A.
Comparator / durationVehicle/untreated controls.
Endpoint / numeric resultInduced mitophagy, prolonged lifespan in C. elegans, and improved muscle function in rodents — the preclinical basis for the urolithin A program.
What it did NOT establishInvertebrate lifespan and rodent muscle gains are animal results; they do not establish any human lifespan or healthy-aging effect.

Primary reference

https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4132

Exact identifier confirmed against the primary record via Crossref/ClinicalTrials.gov where stated in the citation status; anything marked needs_primary_fulltext is not yet confirmed.