Ursolic acid: an anti-tumorigenic and chemopreventive activity. Minireview.
Ursolic acid, UA, as a pentacyclic triterpene is of interest to scientists in the area of oncology because of its cytotoxicity, induction of differentiation, anti-mutagenic, antiviral and anti-invasive activities. UA is capable of inducing apoptosis in tumor cells on one side and to prevent malignant transformation of normal cells on the other side. It also interferes with numerous enzymes, including the ones serving directly to DNA synthesis. The aim of this review is to summarize reports on UA biological properties and to show its main anti-tumor effects and chemopreventive properties in normal cells.
Novotný
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Kuwait University, Safat. novotny@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Vachálková
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Biggs
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D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D000097245:Ursolic Acid