called sasanqua and another plant, Camellia japonica called as camellia both
belonging to the family Theaceae exhibited cytotoxic activity in mouse leukemic
M1 cells(Akihisa et al. 1999; Ishikura et al. 1984). Another sesterterpene, dysidiolide was isolated from the Caribbean sponge. Ophiobolin, a cytotoxic agent, is
produced through various diverse cyclization (Au et al. 2000).
O
CH 3
CH 3
C
H 3
OH
O
O
C
H 3
CH 3
Ophiobolin
10.5.6 Triterpenes
Triterpenes having six isoprene units containing 30 carbon atoms are found
abundantly in nature. Triterpenes may be linear, tetracyclic, or pentacyclic. The
linear triterpene, squalene, derived from the coupling of two molecules of farnesyl
pyrophosphate by mevalonic acid pathway is found in the animal source, e.g., shark
liver oil and plant sources, e.g., olive oil, arachis oil. Triterpenes are mostly lipid
substances of all plants and about 4000 triterpenoids have been identified and
extracted. These compounds are required to prepare animal steroids, as well as plant
steroids. Both triterpenes and steroids (tetracyclic triterpenoids) exist as a free
Table 10.6 The pharmaceutical uses of some important sesquiterpenes
Sl.No
Sesquiterpenes
Pharmaceutical uses
1
Artimimisinin
Antimalarial, antiprotozoal
2
Santonin
Anthelmintic
3
Gossypol
Male antifertility activity, insecticidal, used in menorrhoea
4
Zingiberene
Antibacterial, antiulcer. antifungal
5
Helenalin
Cardiotonic
6
Farnesene
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
7
Guaiol
Anti-rheumatic, food additives
8
Cedrol
adaptogen
9
Vetivone
Treatment of burn, sore and stimulant and diaphoretic
10
Caryophyllene
Antiseptic, counterirritant, carminative
360
C. C. Kandar
belonging to the family Theaceae exhibited cytotoxic activity in mouse leukemic
M1 cells(Akihisa et al. 1999; Ishikura et al. 1984). Another sesterterpene, dysidiolide was isolated from the Caribbean sponge. Ophiobolin, a cytotoxic agent, is
produced through various diverse cyclization (Au et al. 2000).
O
CH 3
CH 3
C
H 3
OH
O
O
C
H 3
CH 3
Ophiobolin
10.5.6 Triterpenes
Triterpenes having six isoprene units containing 30 carbon atoms are found
abundantly in nature. Triterpenes may be linear, tetracyclic, or pentacyclic. The
linear triterpene, squalene, derived from the coupling of two molecules of farnesyl
pyrophosphate by mevalonic acid pathway is found in the animal source, e.g., shark
liver oil and plant sources, e.g., olive oil, arachis oil. Triterpenes are mostly lipid
substances of all plants and about 4000 triterpenoids have been identified and
extracted. These compounds are required to prepare animal steroids, as well as plant
steroids. Both triterpenes and steroids (tetracyclic triterpenoids) exist as a free
Table 10.6 The pharmaceutical uses of some important sesquiterpenes
Sl.No
Sesquiterpenes
Pharmaceutical uses
1
Artimimisinin
Antimalarial, antiprotozoal
2
Santonin
Anthelmintic
3
Gossypol
Male antifertility activity, insecticidal, used in menorrhoea
4
Zingiberene
Antibacterial, antiulcer. antifungal
5
Helenalin
Cardiotonic
6
Farnesene
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
7
Guaiol
Anti-rheumatic, food additives
8
Cedrol
adaptogen
9
Vetivone
Treatment of burn, sore and stimulant and diaphoretic
10
Caryophyllene
Antiseptic, counterirritant, carminative
360
C. C. Kandar