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, it can be developed as a potent therapeutic agent, in particular, for the prevention and treatment of heart diseases that are the leading cause of death for people worldwide. The primary aim of this mini-review is to summarize 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.