Oleanolic acid
Synopsis
Oleanolic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid compound found widely in the plant kingdom, particularly in the leaves, roots, and peels of fruits and medicinal herbs. It occurs in high concentrations in olive oil (especially in olive leaves and skin), apples, garlic, basil, thyme, clove, ginseng, and several traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs. Though typically present in small amounts in food, oleanolic acid has drawn increasing attention for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities.
Pharmacologically, oleanolic acid exhibits multiple bioactivities:
- Liver protection: One of the most studied benefits of oleanolic acid is its hepatoprotective effect. It enhances antioxidant enzyme activity, reduces lipid peroxidation, and protects against chemical-induced liver damage (e.g., from alcohol, drugs, or viruses).
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: It inhibits inflammatory pathways like NF-κB and COX-2, while enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase, making it useful in managing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Antidiabetic and metabolic support: Oleanolic acid has shown potential to lower blood glucose, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce markers of metabolic syndrome, partly through modulation of PPAR pathways and glucose-regulating enzymes.
- Anticancer effects: In vitro and animal studies show that oleanolic acid can inhibit tumor cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and block metastasis in several cancer models. However, clinical research is still in early stages.
- Antiviral and antimicrobial: It has demonstrated activity against HIV, hepatitis viruses, and various bacteria and fungi, possibly by disrupting microbial cell membranes and modulating host immune response.
- Cardiovascular and renal protection: Preliminary studies suggest oleanolic acid may help regulate blood pressure, cholesterol, and vascular inflammation, and protect kidney function under stress or toxic insult.
It is usually extracted and purified from plant sources and used in capsules, tablets, or topical applications, sometimes in combination with other triterpenoids like ursolic acid.
Historical Use
While oleanolic acid itself was isolated and identified in the 20th century, the plants rich in this compound have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbs like Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root), and Aralia species—now known to contain oleanolic acid—have long been used to treat liver disorders, inflammation, and infections.
In Ayurveda, plants like holy basil (tulsi), guggul, and neem, which also contain this compound, have been historically used for detoxification, immune modulation, and metabolic regulation. The therapeutic effects now attributed to oleanolic acid were likely observed empirically long before its chemical structure was known.
In Mediterranean folk medicine, olive leaves and unrefined olive oil—rich in oleanolic acid—were used to treat wounds, infections, fevers, and digestive issues, laying the groundwork for modern interest in the anti-aging and metabolic benefits of olive-derived phytochemicals.
Today, oleanolic acid is being researched not only as a natural supplement but also as a drug development scaffold for creating semisynthetic derivatives with enhanced potency and bioavailability. Its broad spectrum of activity and low toxicity profile make it a promising candidate for integrative approaches to inflammation, liver health, metabolic disease, and more.
Body Systems
Immune System (Science)
Liver (Science)
Mitochondria (Science)
Skin (Science)