CDDO is a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid. It is 400,000x more potent than natural product oleanolic acid in inhibiting cellular iNOS production when stimulated by IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 [1]. The mechanism of action of CDDO remain elusive, despite its broad biological activities, including proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction[2], and oxidative stress and inflammation suppression.

CDDO-methyl ester,an orally-available form of CDDO, is undergoing clinical development for the treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.