New applications of oleanolic acid and its derivatives as cardioprotective agents: A review of their therapeutic perspectives

: Oleanolic acid is an analogue of pentacyclic triterpenoids. It has been used as a hepatic drug for over 20 years in China. Currently, there are only five approved drugs derived from pentacyclic triterpenoids including oleanolic acid (liver diseases), asiaticoside (wound healing), glycyrrhizinate (liver diseases), isoglycyrrhizinate (liver disease) and sodium aescinate (hydrocephalus). To understand more about the bioactivity and functional mechanisms of oleanolic acid is able to develop potent therapeutic agents, in particular for the prevention and treatment of heart diseases, which are the leading cause of death for people worldwide. The primary aim of this mini-review is to summarize concisely the new applications of oleanolic acid and its derivatives as cardioprotective agents reported in recent years and to highlight their therapeutic perspectives in cardiovascular diseases.