Ursodeoxycholic acid is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis, it prevents cytochrome c release in apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial membrane depolarization and channel formation. Ursodeoxycholic acid can ameliorate experimental ileitis counteracting intestinal barrier dysfunction and oxidative stress, it as a chemopreventive agent in patients with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Ursodeoxycholic acid is a bile acid found in the bile of bears (Ursidae) as a conjugate with taurine. Used therapeutically, it prevents the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol and can lead to the dissolution of gallstones. It has a role as a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a C24-steroid, a dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid and a bile acid. It is a conjugate acid of an ursodeoxycholate.