Pentacyclic triterpenoids represent a significant class of phytochemicals, categorized into oleanane, ursane, friedelane, and lupane. Among these, betulonic acid stands out as a lupane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid found in numerous plants. Its diverse biological properties, including anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and hepato-protective effects, have been extensively documented. To further explore the therapeutic potential of betulonic acid and its derivatives, we provide a comprehensive review of their sources, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms. We aim for this synthesis of data to stimulate fresh perspectives on betulonic acid and its potential in drug discovery.
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Lou et al. (2025) studied this question.
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