ursolate

Ursolate is a chemical compound that can refer to either the anion, cation, or a salt containing the ursolyl group. The ursolyl group is derived from ursolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in many plants, including apples, cranberries, holy basil, and rosemary. Ursolic acid itself is a naturally occurring compound that has been studied for various potential biological activities.

In organic chemistry, when discussing ursolic acid and its derivatives, the term "ursolate" is often used to denote the deprotonated form of ursolic acid, meaning the molecule has lost a proton and carries a negative charge, typically on the carboxyl group. This anion can then form salts with various cations, such as sodium ursolate or potassium ursolate. Alternatively, "ursolate" might be used in a broader sense to refer to any compound where the ursolic acid structure has undergone a chemical modification, although specific nomenclature would usually be employed for such derivatives. The study of ursolic acid and its related compounds, including potential ursolate salts, is an active area of research in medicinal chemistry and natural product chemistry, exploring their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-cancer properties.