Chemical. CAS: 128-13-2. Formula: C24H40O4. MW: 392.6. Synthetic. Endogenous hydrophilic bile acid. Antioxidant. Cytoprotective against oxidative stress and cell death. Hepatoprotective at cellular and molecular level, including stabilization of membranes. Protects hepatocytes against bile acid-induced apoptosis. Antiapoptotic and antinecrotic. Targets the mitochondrial function and integrity, reduction of endoplasmatic stress and interactions with survival signals in cAMP, Akt, NF-kappaB, MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways. Modulator and finetuner of the p53-Mdm-2 complex. Chemopreventive against colorectal cancer by countering the tumor-promoting effects of secondary bile acids. Shows also effects on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and COX-2 expression. Immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory compound. Modifies TLR4 and TLR9 signaling pathways and downregulates the production of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).