Oleanolic Acid (Pentacyclic Triterpene · Hepatoprotective · Anti-diabetic · Nrf2)
| Compound | Oleanolic Acid |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Pentacyclic Triterpene Acid (Oleanane skeleton) |
| CAS | 508-02-1 |
| Primary source | Olea europaea (olive leaf/pulp), Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet), Syzygium spp. |
| Key applications | Hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour (preclinical) |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Olive leaf extract (oleanolic acid co-constituent); oleanolic acid isolate |
| Buy from Herbuno | Olive Leaf Extract Powder → |
Name origin: From Olea (olive genus). Oleanolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene acid widely distributed across the plant kingdom — present in the leaves and pulp of over 100 plant species. Traditional use: Olive leaf preparations have been used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern traditions for centuries for fever, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular applications — predating the identification of oleanolic acid as a specific constituent. In TCM, Ligustrum lucidum (Nu Zhen Zi, glossy privet) contains high oleanolic acid and is used for liver and kidney tonification. Research trajectory: Oleanolic acid has a substantial preclinical evidence base for hepatoprotective activity (liver enzyme normalisation, anti-fibrotic), anti-diabetic effects (α-glucosidase inhibition, insulin sensitisation), anti-inflammatory mechanisms (NF-κB inhibition), and antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines. It is the parent compound for several synthetic triterpenoid drug candidates (CDDO series) in pharmaceutical oncology research. Commercial source: Available as a constituent of olive leaf extract (alongside hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein). See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Oleanolic Acid Applications
Hepatoprotective — liver enzyme normalisation: Multiple animal studies confirm oleanolic acid protects against CCl4, D-galactosamine, and alcohol-induced liver injury. In human contexts, oleanolic acid is used in a Chinese injectable pharmaceutical (Qiancao oleanolic acid injection) for acute and chronic hepatitis — providing one of the few human clinical contexts for oleanolic acid specifically. Reduces ALT, AST, and hepatic lipid accumulation. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-diabetic (α-glucosidase inhibition): Oleanolic acid inhibits intestinal α-glucosidase (slowing post-prandial glucose absorption) and SGLT2 in cell models. In diabetic animal models, reduces fasting blood glucose and improves insulin sensitivity. Relevant for blood glucose management supplement formulations. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits NF-κB, MAPK pathways, and reduces COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6. In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy confirmed in multiple animal models. The oleanane skeleton provides a distinct binding profile to the ursane skeleton of ursolic acid, contributing different enzyme interaction characteristics despite structural similarity. Claim strength: Moderate.
Nrf2 activation and antioxidant: Oleanolic acid activates Nrf2/Keap1 signalling, inducing endogenous antioxidant enzymes (HO-1, NQO1, GST). This cytoprotective mechanism is relevant to hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular applications. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Chinese clinical pharmaceutical context (injectable): 60–120 mg oleanolic acid equivalent per treatment course — not applicable to oral supplement formulations. For oral supplement use, oleanolic acid-standardised olive leaf extract or Ligustrum lucidum extract at 100–500 mg/day oleanolic acid equivalent is extrapolated from animal pharmacokinetic data and traditional dose contexts. Olive leaf extract at 500 mg/day (20% oleuropein standardised) co-delivers approximately 10–20 mg oleanolic acid as a minor constituent — full-dose oleanolic acid delivery requires dedicated standardised extract or isolate.
Oleanolic acid has similar poor aqueous solubility to ursolic acid (logP ~5.3). Same bioavailability enhancement strategies apply: phospholipid complexation, nanoparticle, or lipid-based delivery formats recommended over simple dry powder. Synthetic oleanolic acid derivatives (CDDO-methyl, CDDO-ethyl amide) are under pharmaceutical investigation as potent Nrf2 activators — formulators seeking maximum Nrf2 activation should be aware of this pharmaceutical development context.
Frequently Asked Questions — Oleanolic Acid
Is oleanolic acid the main hepatoprotective compound in olive leaf?
Olive leaf’s hepatoprotective activity is primarily attributed to oleuropein and its metabolite hydroxytyrosol (the EFSA-approved active), alongside oleanolic acid as a contributing triterpene. Oleanolic acid’s specific hepatoprotective mechanisms (liver enzyme normalisation, anti-fibrotic) are distinct from oleuropein’s antioxidant-mediated hepatoprotection. For liver-specific supplement formulations, specifying both oleuropein/hydroxytyrosol content and oleanolic acid content provides comprehensive characterisation of the extract’s hepatoprotective potential.
What is the relationship between oleanolic acid and betulinic acid?
Oleanolic acid (oleanane skeleton), ursolic acid (ursane skeleton), and betulinic acid (lupane skeleton) are all pentacyclic triterpene acids with the same molecular formula (C30H48O3) but different ring configurations. They share some overlapping pharmacological properties (hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative) but each has distinct mechanistic strengths and botanical sources. They are structurally and pharmacologically related but not interchangeable.
Can oleanolic acid be used in a NAFLD/fatty liver supplement formulation?
Yes — oleanolic acid’s combination of hepatoprotective (liver enzyme normalisation), anti-steatotic (reduces hepatic lipid accumulation), anti-fibrotic (inhibits stellate cell activation), and Nrf2-activating mechanisms directly addresses the pathophysiological targets in NAFLD. Combine with silymarin (established hepatoprotective), phosphatidylcholine (liver membrane support), and berberine (AMPK activation, lipid metabolism) for a comprehensive NAFLD-targeted formulation with complementary mechanisms.
Are there pharmaceutical oleanolic acid-derived drugs?
Yes. The CDDO (2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleane-1,9(11)-diene-28-oic acid) synthetic derivatives are potent Nrf2 activators and NF-κB inhibitors derived from oleanolic acid. Bardoxolone methyl (CDDO-Me) has been in Phase III clinical trials for chronic kidney disease and Alport syndrome. These pharmaceutical drugs are not the same as dietary oleanolic acid from botanical extracts — they have 1,000–100,000-fold greater potency for Nrf2 activation and are not available as supplements.
Related compounds: Ursolic Acid, Betulinic Acid, Glycyrrhizin, Astragalosides
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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