AUTHOR=Liu Guanhui , Qin Peng , Cheng Xinying , Wu Lifei , Wang Ruoning , Gao Wei 

TITLE=Ursolic acid: biological functions and application in animal husbandry

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1251248

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1251248

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Ursolic acid (UA) is a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoid with 30 carbon atoms. UA has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, hepato-protective, anticancer, and other biological activities. Most studies on the biological functions of UA have been performed in mammalian cell (<italic>in vitro</italic>) and rodent (<italic>in vivo</italic>) models. UA is used in animal husbandry as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral agent, as well as for enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Although UA has been shown to have significant <italic>in vitro</italic> bacteriostatic effects, it is rarely used in animal nutrition. The use of UA as a substitute for oral antibiotics or as a novel feed additive in animal husbandry should be considered. This review summarizes the available data on the biological functions of UA and its applications in animal husbandry.</p>