Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities?

Natural Product Reports Pub Date: 2005-04-04 DOI: 10.1039/B418841C

Abstract

Covering: 1980 to August 2004

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→9β)-abeo-10α-lanost-5-ene (also known as 9β-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.

Graphical abstract: Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities
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