Maslinic acid is a compound derived from dry olive-pomace oil (an olive skin wax) which is a byproduct of olive oil extraction. It is a member of the group of triterpene

Triterpene

Triterpenes are terpenes consisting of six isoprene units and have the molecular formula C30H48.The pentacyclic triterpenes can be classified into lupane, oleanane or ursane groups.Animal- and plant-derived triterpenes exist, such as:*squalene...

s known as oleananes.

Biological activities

Research at the University of Granada

University of Granada

The University of Granada is a public university located in Granada, Spain that enrolls approximately 80,000 students. The university also has campuses in Ceuta and Melilla. Every year, over 2,000 European students enroll in the UGR through the Erasmus Programme, making it the most popular...

 and Hospital Carlos III in Madrid indicates that maslinic acid inhibits serine protease

Serine protease

Serine proteases are enzymes that cleave peptide bonds in proteins, in which serine serves as the nucleophilic amino acid at the active site.They are found ubiquitously in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes...

s, key enzymes necessary for the spread of HIV within an individual's body.

Also, research at the University of Barcelona suggests that maslinic acid may prevent colon cancer by acting as an antiproliferative of colon cancer cells.