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Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Zhanyu Lin
    • Qingze Chen
    • Zhaoyue Chen
    • Tianyang Peng
    • Jinglu Bai
    • Fengjun Ma
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Traditional Chinese College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250000, P.R. China, Department of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250000, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Lin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 126
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    Published online on: July 25, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2025.8959
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Abstract

Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid carboxylic acid, exhibits diverse biological activities and notable antitumor properties. Lung cancer (LC), a leading malignancy of the respiratory system, is predominantly classified into small cell LC and non‑small cell LC. The increasing incidence and mortality rates of LC have spurred considerable interest in the chemo‑preventive potential of UA. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that UA markedly inhibits LC cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Mechanistically, UA induces cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, thereby suppressing LC cell invasion, migration and tumor growth. Furthermore, UA has shown synergistic effects when combined with other therapeutic agents, including mitotic kinase inhibitors and multifunctional nanomedicines, effectively overcoming drug resistance in LC cells. These multifaceted mechanisms collectively contribute to the chemo‑preventive efficacy of UA against LC. Consequently, UA represents a promising candidate for LC prevention and therapy. The present review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of UA in LC, offering insights to guide future research and facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
View Figures

Figure 1

Molecular targets regulated by UA and
their effects on cellular autophagy and apoptosis. UA, ursolic
acid; HA-Lipo/UA, hyaluronic acid-liposome UA; GSH, glutathione;
MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; ARTS, apoptosis-related protein in
the TGF-β signaling pathway; HIF, hypoxia-inducible factor; PD-L1,
programmed death-ligand 1; VRK1, vaccinia-related kinase 1; Chop,
C/EBP-homologous protein. Figure created using Adobe Illustrator
2024 (v28.0), Adobe Inc.

Figure 2

Molecular targets regulated by UA and
their effects on cell invasion and migration. UA, ursolic acid;
MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; AEG-1, astrocyte-elevated gene-1.
Figure created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0), Adobe Inc.

Figure 3

Molecular targets regulated by UA and
their effects on cell proliferation. UA, ursolic acid. Figure
created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0), Adobe Inc.

Figure 4

Molecular targets regulated by UA and
their impact on attenuating drug resistance. UA, ursolic acid; miR,
microRNA. Figure created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0),
Adobe Inc.

Figure 5

Mechanisms associated with the
chemoprotective effect of UA for the treatment of lung cancer. UA,
ursolic acid. Figure created using Adobe Illustrator 2024 (v28.0),
Adobe Inc.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Lin Z, Chen Q, Chen Z, Peng T, Bai J and Ma F: Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 54: 126, 2025.
APA
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., & Ma, F. (2025). Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review). Oncology Reports, 54, 126. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2025.8959
MLA
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., Ma, F."Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review)". Oncology Reports 54.4 (2025): 126.
Chicago
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., Ma, F."Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review)". Oncology Reports 54, no. 4 (2025): 126. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2025.8959
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lin Z, Chen Q, Chen Z, Peng T, Bai J and Ma F: Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 54: 126, 2025.
APA
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., & Ma, F. (2025). Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review). Oncology Reports, 54, 126. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2025.8959
MLA
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., Ma, F."Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review)". Oncology Reports 54.4 (2025): 126.
Chicago
Lin, Z., Chen, Q., Chen, Z., Peng, T., Bai, J., Ma, F."Advances in the chemo‑preventive effects and mechanisms of ursolic acid against lung cancer (Review)". Oncology Reports 54, no. 4 (2025): 126. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2025.8959
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