
Quassinoids are degraded
triterpene
Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squal ...
lactones (similar to
limonoids) of the
Simaroubaceae
The Simaroubaceae are a small, mostly tropical, family in the order Sapindales. In recent decades, it has been subject to much taxonomic debate, with several small families being split off. A molecular phylogeny of the family was published in 200 ...
plant family grouped into C-18, C-19, C-20, C-22 and C-25 types. The prototypical member of the group,
quassin, was first described in the 19th century from plants of the genus ''
Quassia'' from which it gets its name. It was isolated in 1937 and its structure elucidated in 1961.
They are a biologically potent class of natural products, possessing antimalarial, antifeedant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The quassinoid bruceantin reached two separate phase II clinical trials in 1982 and 1983.
Other quassinoids include:
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Bruceanols
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Bruceolide
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Eurycomanone
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Gutolactone
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Isobrucein A
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Neoquassin
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Nigakihemiacetal A
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Quassimarin
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Samaderines
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Simalikalactones
References
External links
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* {{wiktionary inline, quassinoid
Heterocyclic compounds with 4 rings