ursolic acid

Ursolic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound found in many fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants such as apples, thyme, oregano, hawthorn, pears, olives, plums, cranberries and others[2][3][6][8]. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-carcinogenic (anticancer), antiviral and antibacterial effects[2][3][4][6][8]. Mechanistically, ursolic acid acts by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in cancer cells; suppressing STAT3 activation; inhibiting JNK expression; modulating IL-2 activation in T cells; weakly inhibiting aromatase activity; upregulating endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cystathionine-λ-lyase (CSE); scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS); reducing apoptotic signaling; increasing adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and irisin expression in skeletal muscle[2][3][6]. Preclinical studies suggest potential benefits for cancer prevention/treatment, obesity/diabetes management through improved insulin signaling and reduced fat accumulation/muscle atrophy prevention. Other areas of interest include cardiovascular disease protection via vasorelaxant properties and inhibition of metalloproteinases as well as neuroprotection through suppression of inflammatory pathways. Despite promising preclinical data across multiple indications—including cancer types (by regulating proliferation/metastasis/angiogenesis/apoptosis), cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis/fibrosis/aneurysm management/liver disease/muscle wasting—there are no approved clinical uses or demonstrated human health benefits to date[2][3][6].

Brand names

URSOLYX

Other names

3β-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid