Oleanolic acid
Oleanolic Acid[edit | edit source]
Oleanolic acid is a naturally occurring triterpenoid found in various plants, including olives, grapes, and jasmine. It is known for its potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects.
Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Oleanolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with the chemical formula C30H48O3. It is a white, crystalline substance that is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform. The structure of oleanolic acid consists of a five-ring backbone typical of triterpenoids, with a carboxylic acid group at the C-28 position.
Biosynthesis[edit | edit source]
The biosynthesis of oleanolic acid involves the cyclization of squalene to form the triterpenoid skeleton. This process is catalyzed by the enzyme oxidosqualene cyclase, which converts 2,3-oxidosqualene into the oleanane-type triterpenoid structure. Subsequent enzymatic modifications, including oxidation and glycosylation, lead to the formation of oleanolic acid.
Biological Activities[edit | edit source]
Oleanolic acid exhibits a wide range of biological activities:
- Anti-inflammatory: It inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, making it a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.
- Antioxidant: Oleanolic acid scavenges free radicals and enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from oxidative stress.
- Hepatoprotective: It protects the liver from damage caused by toxins and oxidative stress, and is used in traditional medicine for liver disorders.
- Anticancer: Studies suggest that oleanolic acid can induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Oleanolic acid is used in various applications due to its beneficial properties:
- In cosmetics, it is used for its anti-aging and skin-protective effects.
- In pharmaceuticals, it is explored as a potential therapeutic agent for liver diseases, cancer, and inflammatory conditions.
- In food, it is present in small amounts in edible plants and contributes to their health benefits.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
