Pentacyclic triterpene weight loss agents are provided herein. Also providedare pharmaceuticalformulations containing a therapeutically effective amount of one or more ofthe weight loss agents, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, in combination with oneor more pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients. The pharmaceutical formulations can be administered toa pre-obese, obese, ormorbidly obese patient to induce weight loss, reduce body fat, reduce foodintake, improve glucosehomeostasis, prevent obesity, or a combination thereof. The weight loss agentscan also be co-administeredwith leptin or a leptin analog.