Ursolic acid in health and disease

• Published in: The Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 235 - 248
• Main Authors: Seo, Dae Yun, Lee, Sung Ryul, Heo, Jun-Won, No, Mi-Hyun, Rhee, Byoung Doo, Ko, Kyung Soo, Kwak, Hyo-Bum, Han, Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Physiological Society and The Korean Society of Pharmacology 01.05.2018; 대한약리학회
• Subjects: Review; 약리학; Irisin; Ursolic acid; Exercise; Disease; Health
• ISSN: 1226-4512; 2093-3827
• DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.3.235

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural triterpene compound found in various fruits and vegetables. There is a growing interest in UA because of its beneficial effects, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-carcinogenic effects. It exerts these effects in various tissues and organs: by suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in cancer cells, improving insulin signaling in adipose tissues, reducing the expression of markers of cardiac damage in the heart, decreasing inflammation and increasing the level of anti-oxidants in the brain, reducing apoptotic signaling and the level of oxidants in the liver, and reducing atrophy and increasing the expression levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and irisin in skeletal muscles. Moreover, UA can be used as an alternative medicine for the treatment and prevention of cancer, obesity/diabetes, cardiovascular disease, brain disease, liver disease, and muscle wasting (sarcopenia). In this review, we have summarized recent data on the beneficial effects and possible uses of UA in health and disease managements.