Different Forms of Ursolic Acid and Their Effect on Liver Regeneration.

Lenka Žaloudková,Zdeněk Zadák,Jana Nekvindová,Pavel Živný,Alena Tichá,Ladislava Pavlíková

doi:10.1155/2020/4074068

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of natural and encapsulated sources of ursolic acid on liver regeneration. Four ursolate sources were tested. Two forms of ursolic acid encapsulates were combined with cyclodextrins, i.e., gamma-CD (gCD) and beta-CD, and two natural sources were adjusted by homogenization (HAP) and micronization of apple peel using Jonagold apples. All ursolate forms were applied intragastrically in daily doses of 20 mg for 7 days. Laboratory rats were fed with standard laboratory diet. Further, gCD and MAP were also tested with a high-fat diet (6 weeks). Partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed 24 hours before the end of the experiment. The concentration of plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was determined with an immunoassay; simultaneously, the expression of HGF and CYP7A1 in the liver was quantified through qPCR. HGF expression and plasma levels were significantly increased 24 hours after PH in both the HAP (p=0.038) and HFgCD groups (p=0.036), respectively. The correlation between HGF expression and plasma values was significant (p=0.04). The positive effects on liver regeneration were found in both the gCD and HAP forms of ursolic acid, whose effects were confirmed through the upregulation of HGF.

Highlights

Ursolic acid is classified within the group of triterpenes which, along with steroids, belongs to the group of isoprenoids whose biosynthesis is based on squalene
We evaluated the effect of Ursolic acid (UA) on liver regeneration after its administration in various forms and without the use of an organic solvent adjuvant. e effects of UA cyclodextrins and UA micronization were evaluated under normal and high-fat diets, finding significantly increased levels of in TAG and total cholesterol (tCH) in the plasma of the evaluated rats in the latter condition (Table 2)
Our data clearly showed (Table 2) that, after 6 weeks, high-fat diet (HFD) TAG and tCH were increased in plasma; there was a significant decrement in these levels after 7 days of UA administration. ese results are consistent with the known hypolipidemic effects of UA [17, 18] in mice

Summary

Introduction

Ursolic acid is classified within the group of triterpenes which, along with steroids, belongs to the group of isoprenoids whose biosynthesis is based on squalene. Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in several herbs, spices, and fruits like rosemary, thyme, apple, and olive. Its encapsulation with cyclodextrins or its increased bioavaibility through micronization has facilitated the intake of ursolic acid. In this regard, most researchers use organic solvents (e.g., acetone, ethanol, and dichloromethane) to dissolve ursolic acid or used organic solvents during preparation, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine which may be hazardous to humans. Inspite of possible bioavailability improvement, we have attempted to increase water solubility of ursolic acid by encapsulation. E aim of this study was to verify the effect that both natural and encapsulated sources of ursolic acid have on liver regeneration as well as to confirm a reliable biochemical blood marker indicating liver regeneration

Study Design

Animal Groups

Methods

Discussion