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Ursolic Acid

Ursolic Acid

What the trials found

Ursolic acid has insufficient human evidence for reliably improving muscle strength, reducing body fat, or delivering broader body-composition benefits.

  • 4 papers
  • 0 of 14 outcomes

Median effective dose, most-studied outcomes

  • Lower body fat percentage 450 mg 8 wk
  • Increase everyday strength 450 mg 8 wk
Full protocol, 2 outcomes

Risk, worst reported severity

  • gamma-glutamyl transferase increased moderate
  • alanine aminotransferase increased moderate
  • verapamil moderate
  • cyclosporine moderate
All 14 events and interactions
Protocol

Dose, timing & forms

How much

The main human protocol used 450 mg daily for 8 weeks, alongside resistance training, and reported changes in strength measures and body-fat percentage.1 That is a useful starting point for understanding the research, not a proven ideal dose. One short study cannot tell you whether higher doses work better or stay safe over months.1

When and how long

The trial used daily dosing throughout an 8-week training period, so the evidence supports consistency rather than taking it only before a workout.1 Clinical research has not established a best time of day, whether you should split the dose, or whether food changes results.1 If you use it, follow the product directions and avoid treating workout timing as the secret ingredient.

Forms & standardisation

The human trial tested a purified ursolic acid supplement, not apple peel powder or a mixed herbal blend.1 Look for a label that states the actual ursolic acid amount per serving, rather than listing only a plant source. No clinical evidence establishes that a particular extract ratio or source plant outperforms another.1

Studied range, by outcome

Outcome Studied range Median effective Duration Evidence
Lower body fat percentage 450 mg 450 mg 8 wk 1 paper 1 sig. endpoint
Increase everyday strength 450 mg 450 mg 8 wk 1 paper 5 sig. endpoints

Adverse events and drug interactions

Safety events

gamma-glutamyl transferase increased moderate
alanine aminotransferase increased moderate
microscopic hematuria mild
proteinuria mild
fever mild
abdominal distention mild
aspartate aminotransferase increased mild
triglycerides increased mild

Drug interactions

verapamil moderate increases effect
cyclosporine moderate increases effect
doxorubicin moderate decreases effect
epirubicin moderate increases effect
insulin moderate additive
sorafenib moderate increases effect
In context

What this is and how it works

  • One 8-week human trial reported increased muscle strength and reduced body fat, but numerical effects were not reported here.1
  • Four papers reviewed here span 14 outcomes, including muscle, fat, glucose control, and obesity-related measures.
  • Human evidence centers on active men, while safety signals involving liver and urinary systems weaken the case for casual long-term use.

Ursolic acid is a naturally occurring plant compound found in apple peels and several herbs. It belongs to a family of waxy plant chemicals called triterpenoids, which plants use in their outer protective layers.3 Supplements isolate and concentrate it far beyond the amount you get from eating an apple.

In animal research, ursolic acid turns up activity in muscle growth and energy-handling signals, including the Akt pathway.2 Think of Akt as a foreman who tells muscle cells when to bring in fuel and start repair work. That mechanism is biologically interesting, but it does not guarantee a noticeable result in people.2

Bottom line

Ursolic acid is most interesting for active adults who already resistance train and want to experiment with a still-early body-composition supplement. One 8-week human trial offers a signal, not a guarantee, and the reported liver and urinary safety signals make casual long-term use a poor bet. Skip self-experimenting if you use interacting medicines or have liver or kidney concerns, and discuss it with a clinician first.

Frequently asked

Common questions

What does ursolic acid do?

In the small human trial, ursolic acid paired with training was linked with improved strength measures and lower body-fat percentage after 8 weeks.1 Animal research suggests it influences muscle-building signals and energy use, but that does not establish the same effect in people.2

Is ursolic acid good for building muscle?

One short trial gives it an interesting signal for strength, but the human evidence remains too small to call it a reliable muscle-building supplement.1 Training, enough protein, and total calories still do the heavy lifting.

How long does ursolic acid take to work?

The available strength and body-composition trial ran for 8 weeks, so it is not a supplement to judge after a few doses.1 No strong clinical evidence establishes what happens with longer use.

Does ursolic acid burn fat?

One 8-week study reported a reduction in body-fat percentage, but one trial cannot prove that ursolic acid reliably drives fat loss for everyone.1 Food intake, training, and starting body composition can change the result.

Sources

Sources

  1. 1. Ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle strength and reduces body fat in men (2014)
  2. 2. Ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle and brown fat and decreases diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease (2011) ↑
  3. 3. Ursolic acid: A natural pentacyclic triterpenoid with broad biological activities

Generated August 27, 2026

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