maslinic acid

Maslinic acid is a **pentacyclic triterpene** (oleanane series) primarily found in the skin and waxy coating of olives (Olea europaea) and other plants. Mechanistically, it exhibits **antioxidant**, **anti-inflammatory**, **antitumor/antineoplastic**, **antidiabetic/hypoglycemic**, **cardioprotective**, **neuroprotective**, and **antimicrobial** effects. It inhibits serine proteases (linked to antiviral activity), suppresses proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6), promotes glutamate reuptake by upregulating the glial transporter EAAT2 (GLT-1), and inhibits glycogen phosphorylase, contributing to hypoglycemic effects. Maslinic acid induces apoptosis in cancer cells, modulates oxidative stress, and influences metabolic enzyme activity, including those involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis. It is under evaluation for roles in cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, and muscle wasting in the elderly. Often used as a **dietary supplement** or cosmetic ingredient, it is regarded as safe at relevant doses and has not been associated with substantial toxicity in animal studies[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][9].

Other names

maslinic acidcrategolic acidmaslic acidcrataegolic acid2alpha-hydroxyoleanolic acid(2alpha,3beta)-2,3-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid