Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part I)

Abstract

Triterpenic acids are phytocompounds with a widespread range of biological activities that have been the subject of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their underlying mechanisms of action in various pathologies are not completely elucidated. The current review aims to summarize the most recent literature, published in the last five years, regarding the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids (asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid), corelated with different biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial. All three discussed compounds share several mechanisms of action, such as the targeted modulation of the PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-kB, EMT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, while other mechanisms that proved to only be specific for a part of the triterpenic acids discussed, such as the modulation of Notch, Hippo, and MALAT1/miR-206/PTGS1 signaling pathway, were highlighted as well. This paper stands as the first part in our literature study on the topic, which will be followed by a second part focusing on other triterpenic acids of therapeutic value.

Novel Triterpenic Acid—Benzotriazole Esters Act as Pro-Apoptotic Antimelanoma Agents

“…The investigation of the apoptotic mechanism induced by pentacyclic triterpenic acids revealed that they can act as mitocans (mitochondria targeting anticancer agents), which trigger apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway [ 42 ]. To investigate the finer mechanisms of action of the three newly synthesized esters, we performed high-resolution respirometry studies in A375 human melanoma cells as well as in HaCaT normal cells; previous studies using the same protocol revealed that BA stimulation triggered an overall inhibition of cellular respiration in A375 melanoma cells as indicated by the inhibition of basal and active respiration, as well as of maximal uncoupled respiration [ 24 ].…”

Management of patients with acute radiation dermatitis. Current trends and clinical examples

“…Эта группа соединений содержит широкий спектр молекул, которые участвуют во многих биологических реакциях. Так, тритерпены могут вызывать миграцию клеток, пролиферацию и отложение коллагена, участвуя в восстановлении тканей [22,23]. Следует отметить, что одним из лидеров по содержанию последних является масло ши (масло карите), используемое в продуктах по уходу за кожей.…”

“…104 МЕДИЦИНСКИЙ СОВЕТ 2022;16 (22): [103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110] Поддерживающая терапия ВВЕДЕНИЕ Радиодерматит (лучевой дерматит, радиационноинду цированные кожные реакции или радиационное поражение) является значимым побочным эффектом воздействия ионизирующего излучения на кожу в ходе лечения онкологических заболеваний. В частности, у 85-95% больных раком, получаю щих лучевую терапию, развивается какая-либо форма лучевого поражения кожных покровов, включая эритему, сухую или влажную десквамацию [1,2].…”

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II)

“…This review represents the continuation of our recently published paper regarding the mechanisms of action of several triterpenic acids of therapeutic value including asiatic, oleanolic, and ursolic acid [ 19 ]. The current paper depicted the most recent (last 5 years) studies on the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could set in motion future original studies.…”