Tormentic acid is a triterpene that has been found in P. frutescens and has diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidative, and antidiabetic properties.1,2,3 It reduces hydrogen peroxide-induced increases in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX1), as well as the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (RVSMCs) when used at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 ?M.2 Tormentic acid (25 and 50 ?M) decreases hydrogen peroxide-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RVSMCs. It reduces ear edema induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in mice (ID50 = 0.03 mg/ear).1 Topical application of tormentic acid (1.7 nmol) reduces the number of papillomas formed per mouse in a DMBA-TPA two-stage model of mouse skin carcinogenesis. It also reduces increases in blood glucose, insulin, and leptin levels, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels, in mice fed a high-fat diet in a model of diabetes and hyperlipidemia when administered at doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg per day.3
1.Banno, N., Akihisa, T., Tokuda, H., et al.Triterpene acids from the leaves of Perilla frutescens and their anti-inflammatory and antitumor-promoting effectsBiosci. Biotechnol. Biochem.68(1)85-90(2004) 2.Wang, Y.-L., Sun, G.-Y., Zhang, Y., et al.Tormentic acid inhibits H2O2-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathwayMol. Med. Rep.14(4)3559-3564(2016) 3.Wu, J.-B., Kuo, Y.-H., Lin, C.-H., et al.Tormentic acid, a major component of suspension cells of Eriobotrya japonica, suppresses high-fat diet-induced diabetes and hyperlipidemia by glucose transporter 4 and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylationJ. Agric. Food Chem.62(44)10717-10726(2014)