Pathology

Biotechnology

In vivo

Biology

Bioavailability

Chemistry

Alternative medicine

Neuroprotection

Ursolic acid

Antioxidant

Oleanolic acid

Botany

Biochemistry

Traditional medicine

Medicine

Pharmacology

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Ursolic and oleanolic acids are secondary plant metabolites that are known to be involved in the plant defence system against water loss and pathogens. Nowadays these triterpenoids are also regarded as potential pharmaceutical compounds and there is mounting experimental data that either purified compounds or triterpenoid-enriched plant extracts exert various beneficial effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anticancer, on model systems of both human or animal origin. Some of those effects have been linked to the ability of ursolic and oleanolic acids to modulate intracellular antioxidant systems and also inflammation and cell death-related pathways. Therefore, our aim was to review current studies on the distribution of ursolic and oleanolic acids in plants, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of these triterpenoids and their derivatives, and to discuss their neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo.

Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids: Plant Metabolites with Neuroprotective Potential