Ursolic acid: a versatile triterpenoid compound in regulating the aging

We and other studies have elucidated single molecules that can attenuate aging and extend longevity. Indeed, these molecules could prevent age-associated diseases simultaneously and probably extending healthy-life spans. In this review, we discuss recent advances, controversies, opportunities and challenges surrounding ursolic acid (UA) in relationship with aging. In this regard, UA also known as urson, prunol, micromerol and malol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound which naturally occurs in a large number of vegetarian foods, medicinal herbs and other plants, including apples and rosemary. Our previous studies for the first time evaluated anti-aging effects of UA. These studies indicated that UA through overexpression of anti-aging biomarkers such as sirtuin (SIRT) 1, SIRT6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha/beta (PGC-1α/β). Klotho and orexin-A in the brain, skeletal muscle, liver and kidney ameliorates aging and thereby conferring broad health benefits in rodents, primates and possibly human. Taken together, our recent findings advantageously described that UA mimics short-term caloric restriction, exercise and has a potential therapy for age-related diseases. Finally, the prospects for drugs that can deliver at least a subset of the benefits of caloric restriction seems very real.