Kaurenoic acid (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid or kauren-19-oic acid) is a diterpene with antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. However its low solubility and blood lytic activity on erythrocytes might make it a poor pharmaceutical candidate. Kaurenoic acid also has uterine relaxant activity via calcium blockade and opening ATP-sensitive potassium channels.
Kaurenoic acid is found in several plants such as Copaifera. It is a potential biomarker for the presence of sunflower in foods.
Kaurenoic acid has been studied for its medicinal properties and seems to have anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antitumor, antinociceptive, antimelanoma, antitilipoperoxidation, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Kaurenoic acid decreases leukocyte migration. It seems to inhibit histamine and serotonin pathways, in addition to antiprotozoal activities against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis.