Bioavailability of ursolic/oleanolic acid, with therapeutic potential in chronic diseases and cancer

Abstract

This study focused on describing the bioavailability of ursolic/oleanolic acids (UA/OA) and the methods to increase it, so that these 2 bioactive compounds can have therapeutic and preventive effects in chronic diseases and cancer. Ursolic/oleanolic acids are natural compounds that have been known since the 19th century. They are very widespread and offer special benefits for human health – especially that their high absorbability makes them suitable for use in therapeutic and preventive treatment. One of the important aspects of their bioavailability is related to their interaction with other bioactive compounds or drugs. In chronic diseases and cancer, UA/OA may affect the absorption of other nutrients and interact with bioactive compounds. By increasing the bioavailability of UA/OA with various technical processes, especially using nanocarriers and nanoparticles, these compounds can affect collagen production, contributing to maintaining skin elasticity and preventing the appearance of wrinkles. Today, UA/OA are frequently used to treat many conditions, ranging from chronic to metabolic.