3-hydroxybutyric acid is involved in the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Like the other ketone bodies (acetoacetate and acetone) levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate are raised in the blood and urine in ketosis. Beta-hydroxybutyrate is a typical partial-degradation product of branched-chain amino acids (primarily valine) released from muscle for hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis.

(D-Ala2,Met5)-β-Casomorphin (1-5) amide (bovine)

Acetylursolic acid has cytotoxic activity, antimalarial activity, antitumor and anticancer activities.