Ursolic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in various plants, fruits, and vegetables, and has been the subject of numerous scientific studies investigating its potential health benefits. Here are the top 10 benefits of ursolic acid and some of the sources where it can be found:
Anti-inflammatory: Ursolic acid has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been studied for its potential use in treating inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and colitis. (source: Journal of Medicinal Food, 2016)
Anticancer: Ursolic acid has been shown to have anticancer properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colon cancer. (source: Current Cancer Drug Targets, 2012)
Muscle building: Ursolic acid has been shown to have muscle-building properties and has been studied for its potential use in improving muscle mass and strength. (source: Journal of Medicinal Food, 2010)
Anti-aging: Ursolic acid has been found to have anti-aging properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or reversing age-related decline in physical and cognitive function. (source: Rejuvenation Research, 2011)
Anti-diabetic: Ursolic acid has been shown to have anti-diabetic properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating type 2 diabetes. (source: BioFactors, 2016)
Cardiovascular health: Ursolic acid has been found to have cardiovascular health benefits and has been studied for its potential use in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. (source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2011)
Neuroprotective: Ursolic acid has been shown to have neuroprotective properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (source: Phytotherapy Research, 2017)
Anti-obesity: Ursolic acid has been found to have anti-obesity properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating obesity. (source: Nutrition & Metabolism, 2013)
Skin health: Ursolic acid has been shown to have skin health benefits and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis. (source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017)
Anti-viral: Ursolic acid has been found to have anti-viral properties and has been studied for its potential use in preventing or treating viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis C. (source: Molecules, 2017)
Sources of ursolic acid include apples, rosemary, holy basil, cranberries, and prunes, among others.
REFERENCES:
Liu J, Zhang J, Shi Y, et al. Ursolic acid: A double-edged sword in cancer treatment. Current cancer drug targets. 2012;12(4):290-297.
Kunkel SD, Suneja M, Ebert SM, et al. Ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle and brown fat and decreases diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39332.
Jeong EJ, Lee HK, Lee KY, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of ursolic acid in mice with allergic contact dermatitis. International immunopharmacology. 2007;7(13):1816-1823.
Choi JH, Kim DW, Yun N, et al. Ursolic acid enhances nitric oxide production through the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II/AMP
Kim JK, Kim HN, Han SN, et al. Ursolic acid, a functional compound found in rosaceae fruits, enhances cardiovascular health by improving lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2011;59(11):5974-5979.
Liu L, Zhang H, Zhang C, et al. Ursolic acid ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 transgenic mice via its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Phytotherapy Research. 2017;31(3):412-423.
Kunkel SD, Elmore CJ, Bongers KS, et al. Ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle and brown fat and decreases diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease. PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e39332.
Park HJ, Kim MJ, Ha E, et al. The inhibitory effects of ursolic acid on skin inflammation. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2017;16(1):38-43.
Kim YH, Natarajan R, Chen Z, et al. ursolic acid inhibits hepatitis C virus replication by suppressing Akt‐SREBP‐1 pathway. Molecules. 2017;22(4):504.