Prophylactic and therapeutic roles of oleanolic acid and its derivatives in several diseases

Core Tip

Core tip: Oleanolic acid (OA) is plentiful in many fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that OA and its derivatives exert promising pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-osteoporotic and anti-diabetics at low doses. However, it is not a “cure-all” drug or drug candidate and could exert adverse effects at high doses, particularly its derivatives. In addition, information elucidating the drug-drug/drug-herb interactions associated with OA and its derivatives is inadequate. Nevertheless, there is a reasonable amount of literature, as fully explored in this review that OA and its derivatives have crucial prophylactic and therapeutic potential for diseases including ulcerative colitis, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.