Effect of Ursolic Acid Administration on Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Syndrome

Detailed Summary

The metabolic syndrome is characterized by the presence of overweight/obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension and an inflammatory state, which together increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). It is also characterized by a decreased insulin sensitivity, namely, lower ability of insulin to metabolize glucose, key in the physiopathogeny of disease process. In the search for a pharmacological agent that can attend more components of the metabolic syndrome and above all improve insulin sensitivity to effectively prevent the development of CVD and DM2, ursolic acid is a promising compound. Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic carboxylic acid present in medicinal herbs, parts of some fruits like apple peel, and plants such as rosemary. There is scientific evidence of important benefits of ursolic acid level in vitro and in vivo on insulin, metabolism of lipids and glucose, as well as on the body weight and metabolic parameters. However, the results are not clear and the mechanisms are not fully elucidate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ursolic acid on the insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome.

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