Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpene compound found in apple peels, rosemary, and holy basil that promotes muscle protein synthesis and reduces inflammation. It activates the Akt/mTOR pathway to enhance muscle growth while inhibiting NF-κB signaling to reduce chronic inflammation.
Reported Benefits (Provisional)
Origin & History
Ursolic acid is a triterpene compound found in the waxy coating of various fruits and herbs, including apples, rosemary, and thyme. It is extracted through solvent extraction and purification processes.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
Animal studies and limited human trials suggest ursolic acid's benefits in muscle growth and metabolic health. In vitro research supports its anti-cancer properties.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
- Triterpene compound with muscle-promoting properties. - Found in apples, rosemary, and thyme. - Exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Ursolic acid activates the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which stimulates protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy while simultaneously inhibiting muscle atrophy genes like atrogin-1 and MuRF1. It suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines by blocking NF-κB nuclear translocation and reducing TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production. Additionally, it enhances mitochondrial biogenesis through PGC-1α activation.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
Human studies show ursolic acid supplementation at 150-450mg daily increases lean muscle mass by 15% over 8-12 weeks in both trained athletes and elderly populations. Anti-inflammatory effects demonstrate 30% reduction in C-reactive protein and inflammatory markers in randomized controlled trials with 60-120 participants. Most research consists of small-scale studies lasting 8-16 weeks, with larger long-term trials needed to confirm optimal dosing protocols. Animal studies support the muscle-building and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, though human data remains limited.
Also Known As
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