Ursolic acid : An anti-and pro-inflammatory triterpenoid
TL;DR: Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid, is the major component of some traditional medicine herbs and is well known to possess a wide range of biological functions that are able to counteract endogenous and exogenous biological stimuli.
Abstract: There is growing interest in the elucidation of the biological functions of triterpenoids, ubiquitously distributed throughout the plant kingdom, some of which are used as anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents in Asian countries. Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid, is the major component of some traditional medicine herbs and is well known to possess a wide range of biological functions, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammation, and anticancer activities, that are able to counteract endogenous and exogenous biological stimuli. In contrast to these beneficial properties, some laboratory studies have recently revealed that the effects of UA on normal cells and tissues are occasionally pro-inflammatory. Thus, UA may be designated as a double-edged sword with both positive and negative effects, and further evaluations of the effects of UA on the biological status of target cells or tissues are necessary. This review summarizes previous and current information regarding UA, and provides new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of its activities.
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TL;DR: This review not only summarizes the diverse molecular targets of ursolic acid, but also provides an insight into the various preclinical and clinical studies that have been performed in the last decade with this promising triterpenoid.
258 citations
TL;DR: Evidence suggesting that cranberries may decrease the recurrence of urinary tract infections is important because a nutritional approach to this condition could lower the use of antibiotic treatment and the consequent development of resistance to these drugs.
230 citations
Cites background from "Ursolic acid : An anti-and pro-infl..."
...This triterpene is a constituent of numerous traditional herbal medicines and has strong anti-inflammatory effects (52)....
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TL;DR: Ursolic acid treatment inhibited T cell activation even when added post-mitogenic stimulation demonstrating its therapeutic utility as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Abstract: Background
Ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid, is the major component of many plants including apples, basil, cranberries, peppermint, rosemary, oregano and prunes and has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. These properties of UA have been attributed to its ability to suppress NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) activation. Since NF-κB, in co-ordination with NF-AT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) and AP-1(activator protein-1), is known to regulate inflammatory genes, we hypothesized that UA might exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects.
213 citations
Cites background from "Ursolic acid : An anti-and pro-infl..."
...and antiviral properties are reported in a number of experimental systems [23,24]....
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...Ursolic acid (UA) is a part of traditional medicine and has been shown to possess many biological activities, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and hepato-protective activities [23]....
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TL;DR: It is shown that ursolic acid (UA), a small molecule present in herbal medicine, selectively and effectively inhibits the function of RORγt, resulting in greatly decreased IL-17 expression in both developing and differentiated Th17 cells.
199 citations
TL;DR: The outcomes of phytochemical and pharmacological studies reported in this review will further expand its existing therapeutic potential and provide a convincing support to its future clinical use in modern medicine.
Abstract: Aim of the Review. To grasp the fragmented information available on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Olea europaea to explore its therapeutic potential and future research opportunities. Material and Methods. All the available information on O. europaea was collected via electronic search (using Pubmed, Scirus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science) and a library search. Results. Ethnomedical uses of O. europaea are recorded throughout the world where it has been used to treat various ailments. Phytochemical research had led to the isolation of flavonoids, secoiridoids, iridoids, flavanones, biophenols, triterpenes, benzoic acid derivatives, isochromans, and other classes of secondary metabolites from O. europaea. The plant materials and isolated components have shown a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities like antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihypertensive, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, antinociceptive, gastroprotective, and wound healing activities. Conclusions. O. europaea emerged as a good source of traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The outcomes of phytochemical and pharmacological studies reported in this review will further expand its existing therapeutic potential and provide a convincing support to its future clinical use in modern medicine.
191 citations
Cites background from "Ursolic acid : An anti-and pro-infl..."
...Ursolic acid, a triterpenoid from olive leaves, has been reviewed for its anti- and proinflammatory activities [233]....
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