Research

Ursolic Acid

22 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

1
Meta-analyses
4
Systematic reviews
14
RCTs
3
Other studies
Meta-analyses (5%)
Systematic reviews (18%)
RCTs (64%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2024·Future cardiology·Pegah Rafiee, Niloufar Rasaei, Mohammad Reza Amini, et al

The effects of ursolic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysis

Systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on cardiometabolic risk factors. The analysis included six articles and found that UA supplementation did not significantly change body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides, or HDL compared to control groups.

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2023·Frontiers in pharmacology·Man Zhao, Fengyang Wu, Zhaohong Tang, et al

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of ursolic acid: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Systematic reviewInflammation

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 articles evaluating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ursolic acid. Ursolic acid significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and elevated antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH while reducing MDA levels in animal models.

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2021·Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·Xu-Ping Qian, Xue-Hui Zhang, Lu-Ning Sun, et al

Corosolic acid and its structural analogs: A systematic review of their biological activities and underlying mechanism of action.

Systematic reviewInflammation Nutrition

This systematic review summarizes the pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action of corosolic acid and its structural analogs, including ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, maslinic acid, asiatic acid, and betulinic acid. These compounds show potential in lowering blood sugar, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor activities. The review highlights the need for structural modifications to improve their solubility and bioavailability.

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2020·Fitoterapia·Qiang Sun, Man He, Meng Zhang, et al

Ursolic acid: A systematic review of its pharmacology, toxicity and rethink on its pharmacokinetics based on PK-PD model.

Systematic review

Systematic review of ursolic acid's pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics based on PK-PD model. Discusses UA's low solubility, poor bioavailability, and interaction with gut microbiota, and explores its pharmacological and toxicological characteristics.

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2020·Nutrients·Toshihiko Shoji, Saeko Masumoto, Nina Moriichi, et al

Administration of Apple Polyphenol Supplements for Skin Conditions in Healthy Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 65Skin Hair Health

RCT evaluating the effects of apple polyphenol (AP) supplements on facial skin conditions and pigmentation in 65 healthy women. Continuous administration of AP for 12 weeks significantly prevented UV-induced skin pigmentation, although no dose-dependent relationship was observed. No significant differences were found in water content and trans-epidermal water loss between groups.

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2017·Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·Carlos K Katashima, Vagner R Silva, Tatyanne L Gomes, et al

Ursolic acid and mechanisms of actions on adipose and muscle tissue: a systematic review.

Systematic reviewPhysique Energy Physical Performance

This systematic review examines the effects of ursolic acid as an adjunctive treatment for obesity-mediated metabolic abnormalities. It includes clinical and animal studies, highlighting mechanisms such as increased thermogenesis, enhanced skeletal muscle mass, and improved physical fitness. Ursolic acid may aid in the prevention and treatment of obesity and muscle mass-related metabolic issues.

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2025·Scientific reports·Maria Maisto, Vincenzo Piccolo, Adua Marzocchi, et al

Apple oil as a source of ursolic acid for the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders with molecular and clinical evaluation.

RCTn = 42Skin Hair Health

The study evaluated an apple oil extract rich in ursolic acid for treating hyperpigmentary disorders. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 42 subjects, topical application of 2.5% AAO for 28 days significantly reduced UV and brown spot scores, decreased melanin index, and improved skin brightness and tone uniformity compared to placebo.

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2024·International journal of molecular sciences·Ritamaria Di Lorenzo, Maria Maisto, Lucia Ricci, et al

Annurca Apple Oleolite as Functional Ingredient for the Formulation of Cosmetics with Skin-Antiaging Activity.

RCTn = 40Skin Hair Health

The study evaluated Annurca apple oleolite (AAO) for its skin-antiaging activity. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study with 40 volunteers, AAO showed significant reduction in nasolabial folds and forehead wrinkles, and improved skin pliability, firmness, and elasticity after 28 days of treatment.

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2021·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·Patrícia Cristina Barreto Lobo, Gustavo Duarte Pimentel

Ursolic acid does not change the cytokine levels following resistance training in healthy men: A pilot balanced, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

RCTn = 27Inflammation -

A pilot balanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effect of ursolic acid supplementation on cytokine levels following resistance training in healthy men. The study found that 8 weeks of ursolic acid supplementation did not change the blood concentrations of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6.

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2021·Clinical nutrition ESPEN·José G C Cione, Rozangela Verlengia, Carolina G R Barbosa, et al

No additional effects of ursolic acid supplementation associated with combined exercise program on metabolic syndrome of postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 26Physical Performance Nutrition -

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of ursolic acid supplementation combined with exercise on metabolic syndrome components in postmenopausal women. Ursolic acid improved handgrip strength but did not significantly affect waist circumference or other metabolic syndrome outcomes.

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2021·Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets·Ehsan Asghari, Seyyed Reza Attarzadeh Hosseini, Mina Kiania, et al

The Assessment of Some Metabolic Markers by Combination of Ursolic Acid Supplementation and Resistance Training in Young Older Obese Women.

RCTn = 25Inflammation Hormone Health Physical Performance

RCT assessing the effects of ursolic acid supplementation combined with resistance training in young older obese women. Ursolic acid significantly decreased IL-15, IL-6, Insulin, and HOMA-IR levels compared to placebo, and increased BDNF and Irisin levels, suggesting enhanced metabolic and inflammatory benefits.

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2020·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Patrícia C B Lobo, Itamar P Vieira, Claude Pichard, et al

Ursolic acid has no additional effect on muscle strength and mass in active men undergoing a high-protein diet and resistance training: A double-blind and placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 22Physical Performance -

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the effects of ursolic acid and placebo on muscle strength and mass in young men undergoing resistance training and a high-protein diet. Ursolic acid had no additional effect on muscle strength and mass compared to placebo.

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2020·Cardiovascular & hematological disorders drug targets·Ehsan Asghari, Amir Rashidlamir, Seyyed R A Hosseini, et al

Synergism Effects of Ursolic Acid Supplementation on the Levels of Irisin, C-reactive Protein, IL-6, and TNF-α During High-intensity Resistance Training in Low Activity Men.

RCTn = 22Inflammation Physical Performance

RCT examining the effects of ursolic acid supplementation during high-intensity resistance training in low activity men. Ursolic acid significantly increased plasma levels of irisin and decreased levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, suggesting beneficial effects on inflammation and physical performance.

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2016·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM·Y. Cho, S. Y. Lee, C. Kim, et al

Effect of Loquat Leaf Extract on Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, and Muscle Function in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

RCTn = 54Physical Performance

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 54 healthy adults assessing the effects of loquat leaf extract (LLE) on muscle strength, muscle mass, and muscle function over 12 weeks. No significant differences were observed between groups, except for improved right-handgrip strength in females taking LLE.

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2012·Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology·Xian-Huo Wang, Shi-Yong Zhou, Zheng-Zi Qian, et al

Evaluation of toxicity and single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous ursolic acid liposomes in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors.

RCTn = 63

This study investigated the maximum tolerated dose, dose-limiting toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of ursolic acid liposomes in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors. The maximum tolerated dose was found to be 98 mg/m(2), with dose-limiting toxicities including hepatotoxicity and diarrhea. Ursolic acid liposomes exhibited a linear pharmacokinetic profile.

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2005·Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry·Kazumasa Kishi, Masahiro Saito, Takao Saito, et al

Clinical efficacy of apple polyphenol for treating cedar pollinosis.

RCT

A double-blind comparative study evaluated the treatment efficacy of apple polyphenol (Ap) in cedar pollinosis patients. Ap was administered at 500 mg once daily for 12 weeks, showing significantly lower sneezing scores compared to placebo during pollen dispersion periods, with no adverse reactions.

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2017·Journal of medicinal food·Alejandra M Ramírez-Rodríguez, Manuel González-Ortiz, Esperanza Martínez-Abundis, et al

Effect of Ursolic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Inflammation.

RCTn = 24Inflammation Nutrition

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the effect of ursolic acid on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation in 24 patients. Ursolic acid administration led to remission of metabolic syndrome in 50% of patients, with significant improvements in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and insulin sensitivity.

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2015·BioMed research international·Zhengzi Qian, Xianhuo Wang, Zheng Song, et al

A phase I trial to evaluate the multiple-dose safety and antitumor activity of ursolic acid liposomes in subjects with advanced solid tumors.

RCTn = 29

Phase I trial evaluating the safety and antitumor activity of ursolic acid liposomes in subjects with advanced solid tumors. Twenty-one subjects were enrolled in three cohorts to assess tolerability and efficacy, with eight additional subjects for pharmacokinetics. No grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed, and 60% of subjects achieved stable disease after two treatment cycles. Ursolic acid liposomes were found to be tolerable with manageable toxicity.

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2013·International journal of nanomedicine·Zhongling Zhu, Zhengzi Qian, Zhao Yan, et al

A phase I pharmacokinetic study of ursolic acid nanoliposomes in healthy volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors.

RCTn = 32

Phase I pharmacokinetic study of ursolic acid nanoliposomes (UANL) in 24 healthy volunteers and 8 patients with advanced solid tumors. The study evaluated single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics and safety, finding linear PK behavior and good tolerance with no drug accumulation.

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2015·Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences·J. Eloy, J. Saraiva, S. Albuquerque, et al

Preparation, characterization and evaluation of the in vivo trypanocidal activity of ursolic acid-loaded solid dispersion with poloxamer 407 and sodium caprate

Study

The study prepared and characterized a solid dispersion of ursolic acid with poloxamer 407 and sodium caprate to enhance its solubility and in vivo trypanocidal activity. The solid dispersion showed increased solubility and dissolution, leading to improved trypanocidal activity and safety in cytotoxicity evaluation.

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2025·Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology·V. K, S. L., Kanimozhi N V, et al

Promising approaches in the extraction, characterization, and biotechnological applications of ursolic acid: a review

Review

This review explores the extraction, characterization, and biotechnological applications of ursolic acid (UA), highlighting its pharmacological properties and industrial uses. It discusses sustainable extraction methods and innovative delivery methods to enhance UA's bioavailability, emphasizing its potential in therapeutics, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food preservation.

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2018·Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)·G Chianese, S D Golin-Pacheco, O Taglialatela-Scafati, et al

Bioactive triterpenoids from the caffeine-rich plants guayusa and maté.

StudyEnergy Nutrition

Phytochemical investigation of guayusa and maté plants revealed high amounts of pentacyclic triterpenoid acids and alcohols, including ursolic acid and amyrin esters. Ursolic acid was identified as active in the activation of TGR5, a nuclear receptor relevant for diabetes and metabolic syndrome management due to its role in energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity regulation.

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