rotundic acid

Rotundic acid is a **pentacyclic triterpenoid** natural compound predominantly isolated from the bark of *Ilex rotunda* and other plant sources. It exhibits multiple bioactivities, notably anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardio-protective, anti-obesity, and purported anti-aging effects. Its principal mechanisms in preclinical models include: - **Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest** in cancer cells (notably hepatocellular carcinoma, and breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer cells) through DNA damage and mitochondrial pathways. - **Inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion** of tumor cells, partly by suppressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion. - **Anti-angiogenic effects**, including inhibited tube formation and reduced VEGF secretion. - Regulation of key signaling pathways: It down-regulates phospho-AKT and phospho-mTOR (PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway) and modulates MAPK pathway components (increased phospho-p44/42 MAPK and phospho-p38 MAPK), contributing to growth inhibition and apoptosis. - Selectively **inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and T-cell PTP** as a noncompetitive inhibitor, which enhances leptin sensitivity, increases energy expenditure, stimulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and improves glucose metabolism—underlying its anti-obesity and potential anti-aging effects. Rotundic acid is primarily being studied in preclinical settings; it has not been approved as a pharmaceutical.

Other names

Urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3,19,23-trihydroxy-, (3beta,4alpha)-20137-37-5(1R,2R,4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-1,10-dihydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acidDTXSID80173963DTXSID-80173963DTXSID 80173963