Antiviral moronic acid derivatives

Patent Granted Moronic acid (3-oxoolean-18-en-28-oic acid) is a natural triterpene.[1][2] Moronic acid can be extracted from Rhus javanica, a sumac plant traditionally believed to hold medicinal applications.[2] The molecule has also been extracted from Mistletoe (Phoradendron reichenbachianum).[3] Bevirimat, a derivative of the related triterpenoid betulinic acid, is under development as an anti-HIV drug; however, moronic acid has shown better antiviral profiles in vitro than bevirimat.