Plant-derived triterpenoids as potential antineoplastic agents

Man has relied on plants as a source of medicinal agents for centuries. Today, with the specter of antibiotic resistance, emerging infectious diseases, and cancers, phytochemicals continue to provide new structural leads for the chemotherapeutic industry. A number of triterpenoids have shown promise as antineoplastic agents. Members of the cycloartane, lupane, ursane, oleanane, friedelane (especially quinone methides), dammarane, cucurbitacin, and limonoid triterpenoids, have demonstrated anti-proliferative activity on various cancer cell lines. This review covers the recent developments regarding antineoplastic/cytotoxic triterpenoids, excluding saponins, from higher plants.