Madecassic acid is a pentacyclic

triterpenoid Triterpenes are a class of terpenes composed of six isoprene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of three terpene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squalene, the pre ...

compound that occurs naturally in several plant species. Madecassic acid is a member of the ursane-type triterpenoids and is structurally similar to asiatic acid, differing by the presence of a

hydroxyl group In chemistry, a hydroxy or hydroxyl group is a functional group with the chemical formula and composed of one oxygen atom covalently bonded to one hydrogen atom. In organic chemistry, alcohols and carboxylic acids contain one or more hydroxy ...

at the C-2 position.

Natural occurence

The acid is found in ''

Centella asiatica ''Centella asiatica'', commonly known as Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, spadeleaf, coinwort or gotu kola, is a herbaceous, perennial plant in the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, ...

'' (Gotu Kola). Other sources include ''

Centella cordifolia ''Centella cordifolia'', commonly known as swamp pennywort or arthritis herb, is a trailing perennial herb native to Australia. The species is common in preferred local environments. It potentially has medicinal purposes and indigenous cultural s ...

'' and ''

Hydrocotyle umbellata ''Hydrocotyle umbellata'' is an aquatic plant that thrives in wet, sandy habitat. Its English common name is manyflower marshpennywort or dollarweed. It is native to North America and parts of South America. In Brazil it is known as acariçoba a ...

''. The compound is closely related to asiatic acid and is known for its various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective effects. It is often studied alongside other bioactive compounds from ''Centella asiatica''.

Uses

Madecassic acid is used in both traditional and modern medicine, particularly in dermatology and wound care. As a

triterpene Triterpenes are a class of terpenes composed of six isoprene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of three terpene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squalene, the pre ...

, madecassic acid also exhibits notable antioxidant benefits, assisting in protecting skin from the pro-aging damage that environmental aggressors, like UV rays and pollution, can cause.

References

{{Terpenoids Triterpenes Tetrols Pentacyclic compounds Carboxylic acids

Natural occurence

Uses

See also

References