Exploring the therapeutic potential of oleanolic acid and its derivatives in cancer treatment: a comprehensive review

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a triterpenoid that occurs naturally and may be isolated from various plants. Analogs of oleanolic acid can be produced artificially or naturally. The current treatments have limited selectivity and may also impact normal cells. OA and its derivatives provide a promising cancer treatment platform with greater selectivity and less toxic effects. As a result of their enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and low toxicity, they are great options for focusing on particular biological pathways and reducing the growth of tumor cells. The effects of OA and derivatives of OA on various cancer types have been investigated. However, breast and hepatocellular malignancies are the most studied cancers. In breast cancer, derivatives such as saikosaponin A (SSa), saikosaponin B (SSb), and SZC014 influence key pathways such as the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), protein kinase-B (Akt), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathways, inhibiting metastasis, angiogenesis, and cell migration, respectively. When a para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)/nitric oxide (NO) derivative of OA is administered to HepG2 cells, the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated mitochondrial pathway causes apoptosis. Nanoformulations incorporating OA, such as OA-paclitaxel (PTX), show potential for suppressing tumor progression by inhibiting drug efflux mechanisms. Thus, exploring the interactions of OA and a few of its derivatives with various cellular pathways offers a promising approach to combating different types of cancer. This review delves into the potential of oleanolic acid and its derivatives in retarding cancer progression through their interactions with diverse cellular pathways.