Ursolic acid: A natural pentacyclic triterpenoid with clinical promise in gynecological and breast cancers (Review)
Gynecological and breast cancers pose significant challenges to women's health worldwide. Despite notable advancements in diagnosis and treatment, they remain leading causes of cancer‑related mortality. Ursolic acid (UA), a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in plants, has garnered considerable attention due to its diverse pharmacological activities. It has been demonstrated that UA exhibits a range of biological effects, including antitumor, anti‑inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, with particularly promising therapeutic potential in breast and gynecological cancers. UA exerts its anticancer effects by modulating multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, NF‑κB, and Wnt/β‑catenin, thereby effectively inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, reversing chemoresistance, and suppressing cancer stem cell characteristics. When combined with chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, UA not only enhances antitumor efficacy but also mitigates the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy. The present review summarizes the recent research progress and underlying mechanisms of UA in the treatment of gynecological and breast cancers, aiming to provide valuable insights for researchers and clinicians in the field.