Corosolic Acid

Scientific Name(s): 2 alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid
Common Name(s): Corosolic acid, Glucosol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 16, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Corosolic acid has numerous biological properties, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and protein kinase C inhibition activity. However, there is a lack of clinical evidence to support these uses.

Dosing

Numerous commercial formulations are available, including tablets, capsules, hypoglycemic food products, and cosmetics. Most formulations are available in capsule form, containing 18% corosolic acid and derived from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. Manufacturer suggested dosage is 1 softgel by mouth 30 minutes before morning and evening meals. Softgel products are marketed for noninsulin dependent type 2 diabetic patients.

Contraindications

Avoid use with hypersensitivity to any of the plant sources of corosolic acid.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

Counsel patients with diabetes or those taking antidiabetic medications about potential additive effects if they are self-medicating with any oral corosolic dietary supplement.

Adverse Reactions

There is potential for skin rashes because the product may be derived from several plant species. Caution is warranted in patients with renal impairment; acute lactic acidosis has been reported.

Toxicology

Toxicologic information regarding use in humans is lacking.

Source

Corosolic acid is found in numerous plant species, including L. speciosa L., Tiarella polyphylla D. Don, Datisca cannabina L., Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., and Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton.

History

Corosolic acid has numerous biological properties including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and protein kinase C inhibition activity.1, 2 It is found in numerous plants species, particularly L. speciosa.3 Most medical research focuses on the compound's efficacy in diabetes. Glucosol (or GlucoFit) is a commercially available product primarily marketed in Japan and the United States as a dietary supplement for weight loss and blood sugar balance.1 Corosolic acid is found in numerous cosmetic products, including creams, lotions, hair tonics, as well as in hypoglycemic health foods.3, 4, 5

Chemistry

Corosolic acid is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene also known as 2 alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid.6, 7 Chemical analyses focus on the study of corosolic acid and its derivatives as inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylases for potential development of antidiabetic agents.1, 6 There is documented commercial interest in improving the chemical production of corosolic acid and its esters.8, 9

Uses and Pharmacology

Cancer

In vitro data

Corosolic acid has cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. The compound antagonized morphological modification of K-562 leukemic cells. The mechanism of action may be associated with suppression of protein kinase C activity.10 In addition, cytotoxic activity has been documented against human cancer cell lines HL-60 (leukemia carcino...