Oleanolic acid is an analogue of pentacyclic triterpenoids. It has been used as a hepatic drug for over
20 years in China. Currently, there are only five approved drugs derived from pentacyclic triterpenoids, including
oleanolic acid (liver diseases), asiaticoside (wound healing), glycyrrhizinate (liver diseases), isoglycyrrhizinate
(liver disease) and sodium aescinate (hydrocephalus). To understand more about the bioactivity and functional
mechanisms of oleanolic acid, it can be developed as a potent therapeutic agent, in particular, for the prevention
and treatment of heart diseases that are the leading cause of death for people worldwide. The primary aim of this
mini-review is to summarize the new applications of oleanolic acid and its derivatives as cardioprotective agents
reported in recent years and to highlight their therapeutic perspectives in cardiovascular diseases.
