Limited evidencePhysical performance

Ursolic Acid

A triterpenoid from apple peel that drew attention after rodent studies showed muscle growth and fat loss. The human trials that followed are few, small, and did not show a body-composition benefit.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Body composition with exercise Limited evidence
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in postmenopausal women found no additional effect of ursolic acid on metabolic syndrome parameters when added to a combined exercise programme. This is the most directly relevant human trial and it is negative.
Metabolic markers Limited evidence
A small randomized controlled trial reported improvements in some metabolic syndrome and insulin sensitivity measures with ursolic acid. The sample was small and the finding has not been replicated in independent trials.
Bioavailability and dosing Limited evidence
A phase I trial of ursolic acid liposomes in patients with advanced solid tumours characterised safety and pharmacokinetics of an intravenous formulation. Oral ursolic acid is poorly absorbed, which is the main obstacle to translating the rodent muscle findings.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo dose established for muscle. Human metabolic trials used roughly 150–450 mg/day of oral ursolic acid; supplement labels commonly list 150 mg.

SafetyShort-term oral use in small trials was well tolerated. Data are too sparse to characterise long-term risk, and there is no safety information for pregnancy, breastfeeding or use alongside medication. Oral absorption is low, so labelled doses may deliver very little to tissues.

Scientific references

No additional effects of ursolic acid supplementation associated with combined exercise program on metabolic syndrome of postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Cione JGC, Verlengia R, Barbosa CGR — Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2021
Effect of Ursolic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Inflammation
Ramírez-Rodríguez AM, González-Ortiz M, Martínez-Abundis E — J Med Food, 2017
A phase I trial to evaluate the multiple-dose safety and antitumor activity of ursolic acid liposomes in subjects with advanced solid tumors
Qian Z, Wang X, Song Z — Biomed Res Int, 2015

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