Ursolic Acid (Pentacyclic Triterpene · Muscle Preservation · Anti-adipogenic · Hepatoprotective)
Compiled from published pharmacological and botanical literature. Not independently verified by Herbuno. Spotted an error or have a correction? Flag it below →
| Compound | Ursolic Acid |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Pentacyclic Triterpene Acid (Ursane skeleton) |
| CAS | 77-52-1 |
| Primary source | Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary leaves), apple peel, holy basil, loquat, Sambucus spp. |
| Key applications | Anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenic, muscle preservation, hepatoprotective |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Rosemary leaf extract (ursolic acid-standardised); isolated ursolic acid powder |
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Name origin: From Latin ursus (bear) via Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), where it was first characterised. Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid acid ubiquitous in the plant kingdom — found in the waxy coatings of apples, in rosemary leaves, and in many culinary and medicinal herbs. Traditional use: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has centuries of Mediterranean use for cognitive support, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory applications — with ursolic acid as one of the major non-volatile bioactives alongside rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. Holy basil (Tulsi) and apple peel preparations used across Ayurvedic and folk traditions for inflammation, liver, and metabolic support also deliver ursolic acid. Research trajectory: Ursolic acid has attracted significant research for anti-adipogenic activity (inhibiting adipocyte differentiation), muscle preservation (myostatin inhibition, IGF-1 activation), hepatoprotective effects, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The muscle-preservation application has generated particular interest for healthy ageing and sports nutrition positioning. Commercial source: Available from rosemary leaf extract standardised to ursolic acid content. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Ursolic Acid Applications
Muscle preservation and anti-atrophy: Ursolic acid activates IGF-1/insulin signalling in skeletal muscle, inhibits muscle atrophy genes (atrogin-1, MuRF1), and promotes muscle hypertrophy in animal models. Human pilot data (one small crossover study, 450 mg/day ursolic acid for 8 weeks in resistance-trained men) showed improved body composition trends. A key mechanistic study published in Cell Metabolism (Kunkel et al. 2012) identified ursolic acid as a potent inducer of muscle growth genes. Claim strength: Moderate (strong animal and mechanistic data; limited human RCT).
Anti-adipogenic: Ursolic acid inhibits adipocyte differentiation via PPAR-γ suppression and reduces lipid accumulation in adipocyte models. In obese animal models, reduces visceral fat, improves insulin sensitivity, and activates brown adipose tissue. Complementary to muscle-building positioning — promotes lean body composition via dual mechanism. Claim strength: Moderate.
Hepatoprotective: Ursolic acid reduces hepatic lipid accumulation (NAFLD models), inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation (anti-fibrotic), and protects against CCl4-induced liver injury. Relevant for liver health supplement formulations targeting NAFLD/metabolic syndrome. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits NF-κB, COX-2, and 5-LOX. The dual cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition profile is relevant for comprehensive inflammation management. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy confirmed in arthritis and inflammatory bowel models. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Human pilot study for muscle composition: 450 mg/day ursolic acid over 8 weeks. Animal muscle hypertrophy models use 0.1–0.27% dietary ursolic acid — translating to approximately 200–400 mg/day human equivalent. Rosemary leaf extract standardised to ursolic acid content (typically 15–25%) is the commercial supply route — at 15% ursolic acid, 3 g extract delivers 450 mg ursolic acid. Request HPLC-verified ursolic acid content on CoA alongside rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid for comprehensive rosemary extract characterisation.
Ursolic acid has very poor aqueous solubility (logP ~5.7) — among the most lipophilic of common botanical actives. Bioavailability from standard powder formulations is low. Nanoparticle encapsulation, phospholipid complexation (phytosome), or self-emulsifying formulations significantly improve bioavailability. For muscle and body composition applications, lipid-based soft gelatin capsules or SEDDS are the preferred delivery formats.
Frequently Asked Questions — Ursolic Acid
Is ursolic acid the same as oleanolic acid?
Ursolic acid and oleanolic acid are pentacyclic triterpene isomers with the same molecular formula (C30H48O3) but different ring skeleton arrangements (ursane vs oleanane). They co-occur in many plants and have overlapping but distinct bioactivity profiles: ursolic acid has stronger evidence for muscle preservation and anti-adipogenic activity; oleanolic acid has stronger hepatoprotective and antidiabetic evidence. They are not interchangeable in formulation.
Why is ursolic acid found in apple peel?
Ursolic acid forms part of the natural wax coating on apple skin, functioning as a protective barrier against pathogens and water loss. This is why some animal studies added apple peel extract to animal diets to deliver ursolic acid. Commercial supplement production uses rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis) as the most economical and concentrated botanical source, typically yielding 15–25% ursolic acid after extraction.
Can ursolic acid be combined with leucine for muscle preservation?
Yes — a rationally synergistic combination. Ursolic acid activates IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signalling and inhibits muscle atrophy genes. Leucine (the primary mTORC1 activating amino acid) activates muscle protein synthesis through a complementary pathway. Combining ursolic acid (300–450 mg/day) with leucine-enriched essential amino acids or HMB (leucine metabolite) addresses both anabolic signalling and anti-catabolic mechanisms — mechanistically rational for muscle health and healthy ageing formulations.
How does the bioavailability problem affect ursolic acid formulation?
Ursolic acid’s logP of ~5.7 means it is highly lipophilic and virtually insoluble in water. Standard rosemary extract powder has very low oral bioavailability. Nanoparticle encapsulation improves Cmax and AUC by 3–8-fold in animal studies. For effective supplement formulations, specify phytosome or nanoencapsulated ursolic acid, or formulate in a lipid-based system (SMEDDS, soft gel in oil base). This is the primary formulation challenge — the same mass dose in a lipid delivery system is significantly more bioavailable than in a dry powder.
Related compounds: Oleanolic Acid, Betulinic Acid, Glycyrrhizin, Ginsenosides
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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