Efficacy

There is little published information to illustrate the clinical effects of triterpenoids. Topical ursolic acid in liposomes (final concentration of ursolic acid < 0.002%) resulted in increased skin ceramides in small-base forearm testing (n= 3; 11 days of treatment). The increased ceramides were suggested to indicate improved skin barrier (66). In a double­blind, placebo-controlled, left-right randomized forearm clinical study of 20 subjects (67), treatment with topical liposomal triterpenoid (specific content not indicated) was done for one month. Improvements in skin extensibility and firmness (instrumentally determined) were reported. While the dose of triterpenoid was not specified, it was probably low and apparently consisted of a blend of boswellic acid, asiatic acid, and possibly others since the content may have included extracts.