Ursolic acid / BDNF Cancer Research Results

UA, Ursolic acid: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Natural compound found in apples and rosemary.
Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in many plants (notably apple peel, rosemary, thyme, holy basil, and other herbs). In cancer models it is best described as a multi-target signaling modulator with prominent effects on NF-κB inflammation/survival transcription, STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and MAPK pathways, with downstream outcomes including cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, and reduced invasion/EMT. A practical translational constraint is poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability, so many strong in-vitro µM effects may not map cleanly to typical oral exposure without formulation.

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 NF-κB inflammatory / survival transcription NF-κB ↓; COX-2/iNOS/cytokines/Bcl-2 family/MMPs ↓ (reported) Inflammation tone ↓ (context) R, G Anti-inflammatory + anti-survival transcription One of the most frequently reported UA effects across tumor models; downstream impacts include reduced pro-survival and pro-metastatic gene programs.
2 STAT3 axis (JAK/STAT3 signaling) STAT3 activity ↓ (reported); downstream targets ↓ ↔ R, G Oncogenic transcription suppression UA is often reported to suppress STAT3 signaling, contributing to reduced proliferation/survival signaling.
3 PI3K → AKT (± mTOR) survival axis PI3K/AKT ↓; mTORC1 tone ↓ (reported; model-dependent) ↔ R, G Growth/survival modulation Commonly listed mechanism; direction and strength vary by cell line and exposure.
4 MAPK re-wiring (ERK / JNK / p38) Stress-MAPK modulation (context-dependent) ↔ P, R, G Signal reprogramming JNK/p38 activation and ERK modulation are reported variably; avoid fixed arrows unless tied to a specific model.
5 Cell-cycle checkpoints (Cyclins/CDKs; p21/p27) Cell-cycle arrest ↑ (G1/S or G2/M; reported); Cyclin D1/CDKs ↓ (context) ↔ G Cytostasis Often downstream of NF-κB/STAT3/PI3K signaling suppression.
6 Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondrial/caspase linked) Apoptosis ↑; Bax ↑; Bcl-2 ↓; caspases ↑ (reported) ↔ (generally less activation) G Cell death execution Common downstream endpoint; can be coupled to stress signaling and survival pathway suppression.
7 Angiogenesis signaling (VEGF / HIF-1α outputs) VEGF ↓; angiogenic outputs ↓ (reported) ↔ G Anti-angiogenic support Typically phenotype-level effects tied to NF-κB/PI3K/HIF programs.
8 Invasion / metastasis programs (MMPs / EMT) MMP2/MMP9 ↓; EMT markers ↓; migration/invasion ↓ (reported) ↔ G Anti-invasive phenotype Often downstream of NF-κB/STAT3 changes; not universal across all tumors.
9 ROS / redox modulation ROS direction variable; redox stress or buffering reported (context) Oxidative injury ↓ in some non-tumor stress models P, R, G Stress modulation UA is not a reliable “pro-oxidant killer”; redox effects depend on dose, model, and baseline oxidative state.
10 Bioavailability / formulation constraint Systemic exposure often limited (poor solubility) — — Translation constraint UA is highly lipophilic with poor aqueous solubility; many formulations (e.g., nanoparticles, phospholipid complexes) are explored to improve exposure.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (rapid signaling interactions)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (acute stress-response + transcription signaling shifts)
  • G: >3 hr (gene-regulatory adaptation and phenotype-level outcomes)
BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a key neurotrophin (a type of growth factor) involved in brain health, and its role in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has been extensively studied.
-AD patients often have lower BDNF levels in key brain regions, such as the hippocampus and cortex.
-This reduction correlates with cognitive decline and brain atrophy.
-BDNF normally protects neurons from Aβ toxicity
-Exercise and cognitive training have been shown to boost BDNF levels and may slow cognitive decline.
- natural compounds (like curcumin or flavonoids) may also upregulate BDNF.
Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3790- UA,    Therapeutic applications of ursolic acid: a comprehensive review and utilization of predictive tools
*Inflam↓, *antiOx↑, AntiCan↑, *neuroP↑, *hepatoP↑, *cardioP↑, *MMP↑, *ROS↓, *PGC-1α↑, *BDNF↑, *cognitive↑, Bcl-2↓, Cyt‑c↑, DR5↑, Casp9↑, Casp8↑, Casp3↑, TumCCA↑, *BioAv↓, *Dose↝, *Half-Life↓, *Half-Life↓,
3789- UA,  Ex,    Combined Ursolic Acid and Resistance/Endurance Training Improve Type 3 Diabetes Biomarkers-Related Memory Deficits in Hippocampus of Aged Male Wistar Rats
- in-vivo, AD, NA
*BDNF↑,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 2 of 2

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 2

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Cell Death ⓘ

Bcl-2↓, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp8↑, 1,   Casp9↑, 1,   Cyt‑c↑, 1,   DR5↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence ⓘ

TumCCA↑, 1,  

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

AntiCan↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 8

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

antiOx↑, 1,   ROS↓, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics ⓘ

MMP↑, 1,   PGC-1α↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

Inflam↓, 1,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission ⓘ

BDNF↑, 2,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

BioAv↓, 1,   Dose↝, 1,   Half-Life↓, 2,  

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

cardioP↑, 1,   cognitive↑, 1,   hepatoP↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 13

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells

Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:164  Target#:1356  State#:%  Dir#:2
  wNotes=0  sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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