# Pyrogallol **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/pyrogallol **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-30 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, benzene-1,2,3-triol, pyrogallic acid, 1,2,3-benzenetriol, pyro-gallic acid, trihydroxybenzene, C6H6O3 ## Overview Pyrogallol is a phenolic acid compound that serves as a plant metabolite and chemical intermediate in synthetic processes. It functions as a phenolic donor in microbial metabolic pathways but lacks documented therapeutic applications in humans. ## Health Benefits • No clinical evidence of health benefits in human studies has been identified in the research. • The compound's roles are described in synthetic chemistry contexts. • Pyrogallol is noted as a plant metabolite. • It acts as a phenolic donor in microbial pathways. • Lacks documented therapeutic applications in humans. ## Mechanism of Action Pyrogallol acts as a phenolic donor through its three hydroxyl groups, participating in electron transfer reactions and [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) processes in plant and microbial systems. The compound can undergo oxidation to form quinones and participate in redox cycling reactions. In laboratory settings, it serves as a reducing agent and oxygen scavenger through its polyphenolic structure. ## Clinical Summary No clinical trials evaluating pyrogallol's health benefits in humans have been identified in the scientific literature. The available research focuses primarily on its chemical properties and synthetic applications rather than therapeutic effects. Studies examining pyrogallol are limited to in vitro chemical analyses and its role as an industrial chemical intermediate. Current evidence does not support any health claims for pyrogallol supplementation. ## Nutritional Profile Pyrogallol (benzene-1,2,3-triol; C₆H₃(OH)₃; MW 126.11 g/mol) is a polyphenolic compound, not a nutritional food source. It is not consumed as a dietary supplement or food ingredient due to its known toxicity. Key details: • Bioactive classification: Simple trihydroxybenzene (a phenolic compound with three adjacent hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring). • Natural occurrence: Found in trace amounts as a plant metabolite; produced via decarboxylation of gallic acid (e.g., by microbial enzymes such as gallate decarboxylase). Present in small quantities in certain plant extracts, tea leaves (as a degradation product of gallotannins), and some fermented products. Estimated concentrations in natural sources are typically in the low µg/g to mg/g range depending on the matrix. • Macronutrients: Not applicable — pyrogallol is not a food and provides no caloric, protein, fat, or carbohydrate value. • Vitamins/Minerals/Fiber: None. • Bioactive properties (in vitro only): Exhibits strong reducing/[antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity (ORAC and FRAP assays show high radical-scavenging activity due to the 1,2,3-trihydroxy arrangement); however, it also readily auto-oxidizes in the presence of O₂ to generate superoxide radicals (O₂⁻•) and hydrogen peroxide, making it a well-known pro-oxidant. • Bioavailability notes: Rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract in animal models; undergoes extensive Phase II [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) (glucuronidation, sulfation, and methylation) in the liver and intestinal epithelium. The major circulating metabolites include methylated forms (e.g., 1-O-methylpyrogallol, 2-O-methylpyrogallol) and their glucuronide/sulfate conjugates. Free pyrogallol has very limited systemic bioavailability due to first-pass metabolism. Half-life in plasma is short (minutes to low hours in rodent models). • Toxicity concern: Pyrogallol is classified as toxic (LD₅₀ oral, rat: ~300–400 mg/kg). It causes hemolytic anemia, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity at relatively low doses, which precludes its use as a dietary or therapeutic agent. • Relevance to human nutrition: Pyrogallol is encountered primarily as a microbial metabolite of dietary gallotannins and gallic acid in the human gut (produced by gut microbiota at estimated nanomolar to low micromolar concentrations in the colonic lumen), but it is not itself a nutrient or recognized bioactive dietary compound with beneficial nutritional value. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges for pyrogallol in humans are documented. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Pyrogallol is primarily recognized as an industrial chemical and photographic developer rather than a dietary supplement. Direct exposure can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation due to its reducing properties. No established safe dosage ranges exist for human consumption, and the compound is not approved as a food additive or dietary supplement. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid exposure due to lack of safety data. ## Scientific Research The research dossier lacks peer-reviewed clinical trials or meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy of pyrogallol in humans. No PMIDs for human studies are available. ## Historical & Cultural Context Pyrogallol's production method was first reported by Scheele in 1786, focusing on chemical discovery rather than traditional medicinal use. There is no documented historical use in traditional medicine systems. ## Synergistic Combinations Gallic acid, tannic acid, catechin, quercetin, resveratrol ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What foods contain pyrogallol naturally? Pyrogallol occurs naturally in gallnuts, tea leaves, and some plant tissues as a metabolite. However, concentrations in common foods are typically very low and not well-documented in nutritional databases. ### Is pyrogallol the same as gallic acid? No, pyrogallol and gallic acid are different compounds. Pyrogallol has three hydroxyl groups on a benzene ring, while gallic acid has three hydroxyl groups plus a carboxyl group, making it more acidic. ### Can pyrogallol supplements help with antioxidant benefits? No clinical evidence supports pyrogallol supplements for antioxidant benefits. While it has reducing properties in laboratory settings, no human studies demonstrate therapeutic antioxidant effects or safety for supplemental use. ### What is pyrogallol used for in industry? Pyrogallol is primarily used as a photographic developer, oxygen absorber in gas analysis, and chemical intermediate in dye synthesis. It serves as a reducing agent and antioxidant in various industrial applications. ### Are there any proven health benefits of pyrogallol? No proven health benefits of pyrogallol have been established through clinical research. Current scientific literature focuses on its chemical properties and industrial uses rather than therapeutic applications in humans. ### What does clinical research show about pyrogallol's safety and efficacy in humans? Currently, there are no published clinical trials demonstrating health benefits or establishing safety parameters for pyrogallol supplementation in humans. Most research on pyrogallol has focused on its synthetic chemistry applications and microbial metabolic roles rather than therapeutic use. Until human studies are conducted, the safety profile and efficacy of pyrogallol as a supplement remain unestablished. ### Who should avoid pyrogallol supplements, and are there known safety concerns? Due to the lack of human safety data, pyrogallol supplements are not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, or individuals with sensitive skin conditions, as phenolic compounds can be irritating in certain contexts. Because pyrogallol has primarily been studied in industrial and synthetic chemistry applications rather than medical settings, consumers should consult healthcare providers before use. No established adverse event profile exists to guide safe supplementation. ### How does pyrogallol compare to other phenolic antioxidants like quercetin or resveratrol? Unlike quercetin and resveratrol, which have extensive clinical research documenting antioxidant benefits in humans, pyrogallol lacks human studies supporting similar health claims. While pyrogallol does exhibit antioxidant properties in laboratory settings as a phenolic compound, its bioavailability, absorption rate, and biological activity in the human body remain unstudied. Quercetin and resveratrol are therefore better-established choices for consumers seeking evidence-based phenolic antioxidant supplementation. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*