title: Aziridine alkaloids as potential therapeutic agents.
abstract: The present review describes research on natural aziridine alkaloids isolated from both terrestrial and marine species, as well as their lipophilic semi-synthetic, and/or synthetic analogs. Over 130 biologically active aziridine-containing compounds demonstrate confirmed pharmacological activity including antitumor, antimicrobial, antibacterial effects. The structures, origin, and biological activities of aziridine alkaloids are reviewed. Consequently this review emphasizes the role of aziridine alkaloids as an important source of drug prototypes and leads for drug discovery.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Chemistry Research Group, Department of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Liverpool John Moores University, 221C Phase 1, Byrom Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 3AF, UK.
authors.forename: Fyaz M D
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Dmitri O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Levitsky
authors.forename: Valery M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Dembitsky
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001388:Aziridines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001388:Aziridines; C033132:aziridine