Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities.
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.
Chen
Jian Chao
JC
State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650204, Yunnan, P.R. China.
Chiu
Ming Hua
MH
Nie
Rui Lin
RL
Cordell
Geoffrey A
GA
Qiu
Samuel X
SX
D001685:Biological Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001685:Biological Factors; D006027:Glycosides; D014315:Triterpenes; C041246:cucurbitacin B