Chen JC, Chiu MH, Nie RL, Cordell GA, Qiu SX. Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities.
Nat Prod Rep 2005;
22:386-99. [PMID:
16010347 DOI:
10.1039/b418841c]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 368] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The natural cucurbitacins constitute a group of triterpenoid substances which are well-known for their bitterness and toxicity. Structurally, they are characterized by the tetracyclic cucurbitane nucleus skeleton, namely, 19-(10-->9beta)-abeo-10alpha-lanost-5-ene (also known as 9beta-methyl-19-norlanosta-5-ene), with a variety of oxygen substitutions at different positions. According to the characteristics of their structures, cucurbitacins are divided into twelve categories. The biological effects of the cucurbitacins are also covered.
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