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Ursolic Acid (Apple Peel)

Modulates IGF-1/Akt, mTOR, and atrogin-1 expression - solid animal data, modest human evidence.

A free, animated ursolic acid (apple peel) you can read here or embed on any website, from Scrollchart.

Ursolic Acid (Apple Peel)

Ursolic Acid: Dual Muscle Protection MechanismAnabolic (IGF-1/Akt/mTOR) + Anti-catabolic (atrogin-1/MuRF-1) acting in parallelUrsolic acid (apple peel, rosemary)Anabolic SignalingAnti-CatabolicIGF-1 receptor sensitizationupregulation of IGF-1R surface expressionPI3K / Akt activatedAkt Ser473 phosphorylation confirmed in vitromTORC1 active: S6K1 phosphorylatedribosomal biogenesis, translation initiationMPS increasedmuscle protein synthesis rate upAtrogin-1 (MAFbx) gene downregulatedFOXO1/3 nuclear exclusion by AktMuRF-1 expression reducedE3 ligase activity fallsUbiquitin-proteasome activity falls26S proteasome: fewer tagged substratesMPB decreasedmuscle protein breakdown rate downNet muscle protein balance positiveAnimal: robust hypertrophy at 0.27% diet. Human: 2 small RCTs, mixed results (500-1000 mg/day est.)Sources: apple skin ~50 mg/apple, rosemary, basil

Ursolic acid raises IGF-1 signaling and downregulates atrogin-1 (an atrophy marker). Animal studies show clear muscle-protective effects; human translation is limited by dosing.

Good for

  • Natural muscle-protection supplement reviews citing apple-peel compounds
  • Sarcopenia and anti-atrophy articles comparing food-derived compounds
  • IGF-1 and mTOR pathway supplement explainers

Source & accuracy

This ursolic acid (apple peel) is an editorial illustration built to represent the concept accurately. Where it shows figures, they are typical or representative values chosen to make the relationship clear, not a single underlying dataset. The diagram and its explainer are reviewed and maintained centrally, and updated over time as understanding improves.

Ursolic acid's signaling targets in muscle

Ursolic acid is a triterpenoid found in apple peel and herbs like rosemary. In animal studies it appears to enhance IGF-1 and Akt signaling (pathways that promote growth) while reducing expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, two factors that tag muscle protein for breakdown. The net picture in rodents is more synthesis and less wasting.

It has also been studied for effects on fat tissue and metabolism, which is part of its broader research interest.

The gap between animal data and human results

The rodent data are reasonably consistent, but human trials are sparse, small, and short, and bioavailability of oral ursolic acid is a real limitation. Translating the mechanism into measurable muscle gains in people remains unproven.

This is general educational information, not medical advice. The strong animal findings should not be read as confirmed human benefits. Consult a qualified professional before supplementing.

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Reference

What this is
A free, embeddable, animated ursolic acid (apple peel) for any website.
Who uses it
Supplement reviewers, Fitness blogs.
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File size
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License
Free forever. Editorial explainer text included; updated centrally over time.
URL
scrollchart.com/diagram/ursolic-acid-mechanism

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Frequently asked questions

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Scrollchart provides "Ursolic Acid (Apple Peel)" as a free, embeddable animated diagram you can add to any website with one line of HTML. No signup is required and there is no watermark. The diagram and its explainer text are served from scrollchart.com, so the embed stays current without any maintenance on your end.
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