Ursolic acid: An anti-tumorigenic and chemopreventive activity

Ursolic acid, UA, as a pentacyclic triterpene is of interest to scientists in the area of oncology because of its cytotoxicity, induction of different iation, anti-mutagenic, antiviral and anti-invasive activities. UA is capab le of inducing apoptosis in tumor cells on one side and to prevent malignan t transformation of normal cells on the other side. It also interferes with numerous enzymes, including the ones serving directly to DNA synthesis. Th e aim of this review is to summarize reports on UA biological properties an d to show its main anti-tumor effects and chemopreventive properties in nor mal cells.