Title:Hypotensive Effects of the Triterpene Oleanolic Acid for Cardiovascular Prevention
Volume: 14
Author(s): Antonio Sureda*, Magalida Monserrat-Mesquida, Samuel Pinya, Pere Ferriol and Silvia Tejada
Affiliation:
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress (NUCOX) and Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Department of Fundamental Biology and Health Sciences and CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition CB12/03/30038), University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Illes Balears,Spain
Keywords:
Hypertension, cardiovascular risk, triterpenoid, vasodilation, blood pressure.
Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is a highly prevalent chronic disease worldwide and a major
cardiovascular risk factor. Oleanolic acid (3β-hydroxy-olea-12-en-28-oic acid) is a widely distributed
bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoid with diverse biological activities such as anti-inflammatory,
hepaprotective, anti-diabetic or anti-hypertensive.
Objective: The aim of this study was to review and highlight the available data regarding the antihypertensive
activity of oleanolic acid and the described mechanisms of action.
Methods: Extensive searches were made in the available literature on oleanolic acid and the data investigating
its antihypertensive effects were analysed.
Results: Most of the research has been performed on animal models of hypertension, ex vivo
studies with aortic ring and some in vitro tests with cell cultures, whereas clinical trials are still
lacking. Treatment of hypertensive animals with oleanolic acid significantly ameliorated the rise in
the systolic blood pressure. In addition, the hypotensive effects of oleanolic acid are also related to
a potent diuretic-natriuretic activity and nephroprotection. In vitro studies have characterized the
participation of various signalling pathways that modulate the release of vasodilation mediators.
Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that oleanolic acid effectively reduces blood pressure
and could be an interesting co-adjuvant to conventional treatment of hypertension.
