has role is protonated form of C24-steroid antiviral agent antifibrotic agent dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid bile acid hypoglycemic agent cardiovascular drug antineoplastic agent antirheumatic drug antiparkinson drug hepatoprotective agent anti-inflammatory agent anti-obesity agent mouse metabolite human metabolite ursodeoxycholate ursodeoxycholic acid CHEBI:9907 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.