Ursocholic acid

3α,7ß,12α-trihydroxy-5ß-cholan-24-oic acid

Ursocholic Acid (UCA), also termed as 7-Epicholic Acid, or Ursocholate, is a bile acid (BA) and a human urinary metabolite.

The compound is a 7β-hydroxyepimer of one of the primary BAs, cholic acid, that bears 3 hydroxy substituents at positions 3α, 7α, and 12α. UCA is a part of the class of organic compounds known as trihydroxy BAs, alcohols, and derivatives. These are also prenol lipids.

BAs are physiological organic compounds, derived from the catabolism of cholesterol in the liver hepatocytes. Their normal formation and secretion are essential to the digestion, absorption, transport, and excretion of fats, sterols, and certain vitamins in the small intestine and liver. BAs also participate in the regulation of key enzymes, involved in cholesterol, glucose, and other BAs metabolism and homeostasis. When present at high concentrations, BAs can show cytotoxic effects that lead to some pathological premorbid conditions.

Alongside the common effects for all BAs, hydrophilic Ursocholic Acid indicates other more unique properties.

This bile acid is known to be an inhibitor of the enzyme 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases that act mainly with NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptors.

Ursocholic Acid has also been the subject of studies on the correlation between BA treatment and dissolving gallstones. It has been proven that UCA, owing to its higher hydrophilicity compared to other BAs, causes decreased cholesterol synthesis and thus can be an efficient gallstone dissolving agent.

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• 3D Structure
• Structure
• Safety Data Sheet