# Recent Advances in the Development of Selected Triterpenoid-Based Hybrid Molecules and Their Antimicrobial Activities: A Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in creating hybrid molecules from triterpenoids like ursolic acid to improve their antimicrobial and therapeutic properties.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of hybrid triterpenoid molecules developed between 2015 and 2025, focusing on their structure-activity relationships and biological evaluations.

## Key findings

- Hybrid triterpenoids show improved therapeutic efficacy through synergistic and multitarget interactions.
- Structure-activity relationships and mechanisms of action are detailed for various disease models.
- Challenges include poor solubility and bioavailability, prompting the need for further research.

## Abstract

Triterpenoids are a diverse class of naturally occurring compounds with a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities. Among them, ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA), and betulinic acid (BA) have emerged as key scaffolds due to their broad therapeutic potential and structural versatility. However, the clinical application of these compounds is often limited by issues such as poor solubility, bioavailability, and selectivity. To address these challenges, research conducted between 2015 and 2025 increasingly focused on the development of triterpenoid-based hybrid molecules, in which the triterpenoid scaffolds are chemically linked to other bioactive pharmacophores. This approach aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy through synergistic action, improved pharmacokinetics, and multitarget interactions. This comprehensive review explores recent advancements in the design, synthesis, and evaluation of hybrid derivatives of selected triterpenoids, particularly UA, OA, and BA. Emphasis is placed on the structure–activity relationships (SARs), biological evaluations, and mechanisms of action of these hybrid compounds across various disease models. The review also highlights current challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives in the rational development of triterpenoid-based hybrids as potential leading candidates in drug discovery.