The Multi-pathway Mechanism and Co-delivery System of Oleanolic Acid Derivatives in Reversing Chemotherapy Resistance in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer threatens the health of women worldwide. However, the use of chemotherapy for breast cancer is prone to generating side effects and drug resistance. Therefore, identifying natural compounds with anticancer activity is a better solution to the problem of drug resistance. Oleanolic acid (OA), a kind of pentacyclic triterpenoid, is widely studied and used in the field of oncology. It has biological activity against breast cancer and has few side effects on normal cells. OA can be used as a frame for chemical modification to synthesize new compounds for the development of new drugs. At present, some OA derivatives with anti-breast cancer biological activity have been proven clinically, while others have emerged as candidates. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of oleanolic acid and its derivatives on breast cancer from previous studies.