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Review
. 2022 Jan 31;14(3):623.
doi: 10.3390/nu14030623.

Oleanolic Acid: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activity

José M Castellano  1 , Sara Ramos-Romero  2 , Javier S Perona  1
Affiliations
Review

Oleanolic Acid: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activity

José M Castellano et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Oleanolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom, is receiving outstanding attention from the scientific community due to its biological activity against multiple diseases. Oleanolic acid is endowed with a wide range of biological activities with therapeutic potential by means of complex and multifactorial mechanisms. There is evidence suggesting that oleanolic acid might be effective against dyslipidemia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, through enhancing insulin response, preserving the functionality and survival of β-cells and protecting against diabetes complications. In addition, several other functions have been proposed, including antiviral, anti-HIV, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activities, as well as interfering in several stages of the development of different types of cancer; however, due to its hydrophobic nature, oleanolic acid is almost insoluble in water, which has led to a number of approaches to enhance its biopharmaceutical properties. In this scenario, the present review aimed to summarize the current knowledge and the research progress made in the last years on the extraction and characterization of oleanolic acid and its biological activities and the underlying mechanisms of action.

Keywords: biological activities; characterization; diseases; mechanisms; oleanolic acid; structure.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of oleanolic acid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Oleanolic acid in the form of prismatic crystals.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Absorbance spectrum of oleanolic acid.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mass spectrum of oleanolic acid, showing five major m/z fragments: 203.2; 202.2; 189.2; 73.1; 187.2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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