Ursolic Acid
Also known as: UA, 3-beta-hydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid
A recent meta-analysis of six trials found no significant effect of ursolic acid supplementation (≈51–450 mg/day) on body weight, body composition, blood pressure, glucose, insulin or lipids. Individual trials report mixed results: one small trial in people with metabolic syndrome found improvements in weight, waist and insulin sensitivity at 150 mg/day, whereas several other RCTs (150–450 mg/day) found no changes in cardiometabolic markers or inflammatory cytokines; one trial reported a modest improvement in handgrip strength with 450 mg/day during an exercise programme.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 4 indexed studies
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Overview
Ursolic acid is a naturally occurring triterpenoid found in apple peel and many plants. Human trials of oral ursolic acid have used doses typically between about 50 and 450 mg/day and report mixed results for metabolic outcomes and limited evidence for small effects on muscle strength.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Preclinical literature proposes effects on fat accumulation, insulin signalling and inflammatory pathways, but the human trials provided here report only clinical endpoints and do not confirm consistent mechanistic effects in vivo at the tested oral doses.
Physiological Role
Not an essential nutrient; proposed roles based on preclinical work include modulation of adipose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and inflammation, though consistent translation to human clinical outcomes is not demonstrated in the included trials.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Limited and mixed evidence. One small trial reported increased handgrip strength in postmenopausal women undergoing exercise with 450 mg/day, but other studies did not show improvements in body composition or inflammatory markers relevant to recovery or performance.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established; some positive findings reported at 150 mg/day in one small trial
- Optimal Range
- Typical trial doses have ranged from ~51 to 450 mg/day; no clearly established optimal range
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established
- Timing
- Not established
- Best Format
- Oral capsule/extract
- Bioavailability
- Not addressed in the provided human abstracts
- Absorption Considerations
- Not addressed in the provided human abstracts
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •No consistent adverse events reported in the provided abstracts; individual trials did not report major safety signals
Contraindications
- None reported in the provided abstracts
Drug Interactions
- •No interactions described in the provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •Pregnant or breastfeeding people — safety not established
- •People taking prescription medications should consult a clinician (no specific interactions reported in these trials)
Monitoring
Monitoring not specified in the included trials; consider routine clinical monitoring when used in those with cardiometabolic disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Ursolic Acid typically used or indicated?
Ursolic Acid is most commonly used for: Body composition support, Metabolic health, Muscle strength / sarcopenia prevention, General antioxidant / anti‑inflammatory support. Not an essential nutrient; proposed roles based on preclinical work include modulation of adipose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and inflammation, though consistent translation to human clinical outcomes is not demonstrated in the included trials.
How does Ursolic Acid work?
Preclinical literature proposes effects on fat accumulation, insulin signalling and inflammatory pathways, but the human trials provided here report only clinical endpoints and do not confirm consistent mechanistic effects in vivo at the tested oral doses.
What is the recommended dose of Ursolic Acid?
The optimal range is Typical trial doses have ranged from ~51 to 450 mg/day; no clearly established optimal range. with a minimum effective dose of Not established; some positive findings reported at 150 mg/day in one small trial. Best taken: Not established. Upper / caution level: Not established.
What are the side effects of Ursolic Acid?
Reported side effects include: No consistent adverse events reported in the provided abstracts; individual trials did not report major safety signals. Monitoring: Monitoring not specified in the included trials; consider routine clinical monitoring when used in those with cardiometabolic disease.
Does Ursolic Acid interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: No interactions described in the provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Ursolic Acid?
Ursolic Acid is generally not recommended for: Pregnant or breastfeeding people — safety not established; People taking prescription medications should consult a clinician (no specific interactions reported in these trials); and None reported in the provided abstracts.
How strong is the evidence for Ursolic Acid?
Evidence level: Limited (overall score 48/100), based on 4 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (4)
The effects of ursolic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of six trials assessing ursolic acid (50.94–450 mg/day) on cardiometabolic risk factors.
Effect of Ursolic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Inflammation.
Randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial in 24 patients with metabolic syndrome receiving 150 mg/day ursolic acid or placebo for 12 weeks.
Ursolic acid does not change the cytokine levels following resistance training in healthy men: A pilot balanced, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Pilot double‑blind RCT in healthy men performing resistance training and taking 400 mg/day ursolic acid or placebo for 8 weeks.
No additional effects of ursolic acid supplementation associated with combined exercise program on metabolic syndrome of postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Double‑blind RCT in postmenopausal women undertaking an 8‑week combined exercise programme with either 450 mg/day ursolic acid or placebo.
Related Ingredients
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Creatine Monohydrate
94/100A naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid that facilitates recycling of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in muscle and brain tissue via the phosphocreatine shuttle.
Maltodextrin
78/100Short-chain α-1,4 linked glucose polymer that is rapidly hydrolysed by brush-border maltase to glucose; near-equivalent glycaemic response to glucose but lower osmolality at concentration.
Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD)
72/100Produced via cyclic-glucanotransferase action on amylopectin, HBCD forms cluster-like macromolecules ~160 kDa that solubilise at low osmolality (≈4 mOsm/L) and clear the stomach faster than maltodextrin or glucose polymers.
Research Overview
Limited EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/ursolic-acid
SuppIndex. (2026). Ursolic Acid: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/ursolic-acid
Based on 4 indexed studies · Evidence level: Limited.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
No human data in the provided abstracts on interactions with other supplements or drugs.