Hypotensive Effects of the Triterpene Oleanolic Acid for Cardiovascular Prevention

Background: Hypertension is a highly prevalent chronic disease worldwide and a major cardiovascular risk factor. Oleanolic acid (3β-hydroxy-olea-12-en-28-oic acid) is a widely distributed bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoid with diverse biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hepaprotective, anti-diabetic or anti-hypertensive. Objective: The aim of this study was to review and highlight the available data regarding the antihypertensive activity of oleanolic acid and the described mechanisms of action. Methods: Extensive searches were made in the available literature on oleanolic acid and the data investigating its antihypertensive effects were analysed. Results: Most of the research has been performed on animal models of hypertension, ex vivo studies with aortic ring and some in vitro tests with cell cultures, whereas clinical trials are still lacking. Treatment of hypertensive animals with oleanolic acid significantly ameliorated the rise in the systolic blood pressure. In addition, the hypotensive effects of oleanolic acid are also related to a potent diuretic-natriuretic activity and nephroprotection. In vitro studies have characterized the participation of various signalling pathways that modulate the release of vasodilation mediators. Conclusion: In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that oleanolic acid effectively reduces blood pressure and could be an interesting co-adjuvant to conventional treatment of hypertension.