Description | Uvaol is a pentacyclic triterpene, found in the non-glyceride fraction of olive pomace oil (Olive pomace oil, also known as "orujo" olive oil, is a blend of refined-pomace oil and virgin olive oil, fit for human consumption). Pentacyclic triterpenes are natural compounds which are widely distributed in plants. These natural products have been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Triterpenoids have been reported to possess antioxidant properties, since they prevent lipid peroxidation and suppress superoxide anion generation. The triterpenes have a history of medicinal use in many Asian countries. Uvaol exhibits both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties depending on chemical structure and dose and may be useful in modulating the immune response; further studies are required to confirm the immunomodulatory behaviour of this triterpenoid, and characterise the mechanisms underlying the biphasic nature of some aspects of the inflammatory response. (PMID: 17292619) |
Chemical_IUPAC_Name | (3S,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aS,11R,12S,12aS,14aR,14bR)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6b,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol |