The effects of ursolic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: Ursolic acid (UA) has an important biological role in the fight against fat accumulation, insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation. Therefore, in the current review and meta-analysis work, we investigate the effects of UA (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) on cardiometabolic risk factors. Materials & methods: After searching the studies up to February 2023, six articles were included in the study. Results: The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups. Conclusion: UA supplementation had no significant effect on the cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.

Plain language summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant reason for morbidity and mortality. Ursolic acid (UA) has been shown to play important biological roles in the fight against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance via insulin-like growth factor 1, cancer, muscle atrophy, obesity and inflammation responsible for CVD. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted up to February 2023; six articles were included in the study and eleven cardiometabolic risk factors were identified. The pooled effect size showed that UA supplementation (dosage range is 50.94 to 450 mg/day) didn't significantly change body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein compared with control groups.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

In the context of the six studies reviewed, ursolic acid supplementation did not affect the cardiometabolic risk factors in adults.

Article highlights

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant reason for morbidity and mortality.

• Ursolic acid (UA) has been shown to play important biological roles in the fight against fat accumulation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance via IGF-1, cancer, muscle atrophy, obesity, and inflammation which are responsible for CVD.

• We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to February 2023.

• Data were pooled from six eligible studies comprising eight arms with a mean age of 23 to 61.1 years old.

• We examined the effects of UA on cardiometabolic risk factors.

• UA did not have any significant effects on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein.

• To address methodological issues including dosage, administration and the combined effect with other treatments, more research is required.

Keywords: :

• cardiometabolic risk factors
• meta-analysis
• ursolic acid

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/14796678.2024.2349476

Author contributions

MR Amini created the research. M Gholizade and P Rafiee carried out data screening and literature searches. MR Amini and F Sheikhhossein independently extracted the data and evaluated its quality. M Gholizade, P Rafiee, N Rasaei, R Rabiee and Z Kalantar wrote the text after data interpretation. A Hekmatdoost was the study's leader. All writers read and approved the final manuscript.

Financial disclosure

This study is related to project NO. 1401/59204 From Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. We also appreciate the ‘Student Research Committee’ and ‘Research & Technology Chancellor’ at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for their financial support of this study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no other competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing disclosure

Writing assistance was provided by MR Amini and was funded by project NO. 1401/59204 From Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran).

Code availability

PROSPERO (CRD42023428067).

Additional information

Funding

This study is related to project NO. 1401/59204 From Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.