Moronic acid: An antiviral for herpes simplex virus

Moronic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid that derives from a hydride of an oleanane. It may contain an array of olean-18-ene compounds substituted at positions 3 and 28 by an oxo group and a carboxyl group, respectively. The moronic acid and its homologies isolated from Rhus javanica have become famous for their antivirus activity against herpes simplex virus also known as human alpha herpes virus (HSV). Besides, moronic acid and its derivatives have shown antihyperglycemic action mediated by an insulin sensitization in rat models and antiinflammatory activity as indicated by in vitro and in silico studies. Moronic acids are the main constituents of Phoradendron reichenbachianum extract, a medicinal plant used in Mexico for the treatment of diabetes. The chapter describes the origin, extraction, antidiabetic, anti-HIV, antitumor, antiinflammatory, and antihistaminic potential of moronic acid.