熊果酸是一種五環三萜系化合物，廣泛存在於熊果、鐵冬青等天然藥物中。以往研究表明熊果酸具有抗氧化、抗炎、抑制細胞凋亡、免疫調節、抗瘢痕及促進損傷神經元修復等作用。
但是，其對周圍神經損傷修復的作用未見報導。吉林大學中日聯誼醫院陳加俊教授帶領的團隊將小鼠坐骨神經離斷後吻合，造成外周神經損傷，每天腹腔注射10，5，2.5 mg/kg熊果酸進行幹預。
首次發現：熊果酸能夠促進損傷坐骨神經再生及肌肉功能重建。作者認為，天然藥物成分熊果酸有望應用於外周神經損傷的重建。此項研究發表在《中國神經再生研究（英文版）》雜誌2013年9月第27期。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦英文摘要：
Neural Regeneration Research doi：10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.27.002
Ursolic acid induces neural regeneration after sciatic nerve injury*
Biao Liu[1] Yan Liu[1] Guang Yang[1] Zemin Xu[1] Jiajun Chen[2]
In this study, we aimed to explore the role of ursolic acid in the neural regeneration of the injured sciatic nerve. BALB/c mice were used to establish models of sciatic nerve injury through unilateral sciatic nerve complete transection and microscopic anastomosis at 0.5 cm below the ischial tuber-osity. The successful y generated model mice were treated with 10, 5, or 2.5 mg/kg ursolic acid via intraperitoneal injection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that serum S100 protein expression level gradual y increased at 1-4 weeks after sciatic nerve injury, and significantly decreased at 8 weeks. As such, ursolic acid has the capacity to significantly increase S100 protein expression levels. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that S100 mRNA expression in the L 4-6 segments on the injury side was increased after ursolic acid treatment. In addition, the muscular mass index in the soleus muscle was also increased in mice treated with ursolic acid. Toluidine blue staining revealed that the quantity and average diameter of myelinated nerve fibers in the injured sciatic nerve were significantly increased after treatment with ursolic acid. 10 and 5 mg/kg of ursolic acid produced stronger effects than 2.5 mg/kg of ursolic acid. Our findings indicate that ursolic acid can dose-dependently increase S100 expression and promote neural regeneration in BALB/c mice fol owing sciatic nerve injury.