Medicinal Chemistry

Therapeutic Interventions Using Ursolic Acid for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Ray Navin and Soo Mi Kim

Current research has supported the potential of plant-derived natural compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer and ursolic acid (UA) is one such compound. Unraveling the molecular mechanism of the protective effects of UA could establish a novel foundation to treat cancer. Studies have demonstrated that UA targets intracellular and extracellular molecules that are responsible for processes such as apoptosis, metastasis, autophagy, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. UA can reportedly be used as a potential drug when integrated with modern technological advancements to treat cancer and other diseases. In this review, the availability, chemical structures and properties, bioactivity, and the different molecular mechanisms of UA against cancer are compiled to understand the multiple aspects as well as the limitations of this potential treatment.