Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a well-studied natural pentacyclic triterpenoid found in herbs, fruit and a number of traditional Chinese medicinal plants. UA has a broad range of biological activities and numerous potential health benefits. In this review, we summarize the current data on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of UA and review the literature on the biological activities of UA and its closest analogues in the context of inflammation, metabolic diseases, including liver and kidney diseases, obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. We end with a brief overview of UA’s main analogues with a special focus on a newly discovered naturally occurring analogue with intriguing biological properties and potential health benefits, 23-hydroxy ursolic acid.
Highlights
College for Health, Community and Policy, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 78207, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; Abstract: Ursolic acid (UA) is a well-studied natural pentacyclic triterpenoid found in herbs, fruit and a number of traditional Chinese medicinal plants
This review focuses on UA and related analogues in the ursane and oleanane groups, as numerous studies suggest these anti-inflammatory compounds may have significant health benefits and protect against various diseases, including metabolic disorders and obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders
In addition to the numerous rodent studies that have found a wide range of beneficial effects of UA, even at high doses, (Table 1), these findings suggest that UA has low toxicity in both rodents and humans
Summary
There is substantial evidence supporting the role of phytochemicals, which are categorized as secondary plant metabolites, as major contributors to the health benefits of diets rich in fruits and vegetables [1]. Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1161 in plants, algae, and some bacteria and forms mono-, di- and tetraterpenes [4] Non-glycosylated triterpenoids provide a protective waterproofing layer found in plant cuticles, which provides a lipophilic membrane on waterproofing layer found in plant cuticles, which provides a lipophilic membrane on leaves, stems, and fruits [10]. Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid primarily synthesized through the MVA pathway, similar to steroid hormones in plants and mammals [4]. This review focuses on UA and related analogues in the ursane and oleanane groups, as numerous studies suggest these anti-inflammatory compounds may have significant health benefits and protect against various diseases, including metabolic disorders and obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
