Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

A High-Yield Streptomyces Transcription-Translation Toolkit for Synthetic Biology and Natural Product Applications
Published on: September 10, 2021
Natural Product Triterpenoids and Their Semi-Synthetic Derivatives with Potential Anticancer Activity
Yulin Ren1, A Douglas Kinghorn1
1Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States.
Abstract:
Triterpenoids are distributed widely in higher plants and are of interest because of their structural diversity and broad range of bioactivities. In particular, there is a very large literature on the propensity of a variety of triterpenoids to act as potential anticancer agents. In the present review, the anticancer potential is summarized for naturally occurring triterpenoids and their semi-synthetic derivatives, including examples of lupane-, oleanane-, ursane-, and cucurbitane-type pentacyclic triterpenoids, along with dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenes including ginsenosides and their sapogenins and dichapetalins, which have been characterized as antitumor leads from higher plants. Preliminary structure-activity relationships and reported mechanisms of the antineoplastic-related activity are included. Prior studies for triterpenoids of plant origin are supportive of additional work being conducted on the more detailed biological and mechanistic evaluation for the progression of this type of natural products as possible cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Potential and Free Energy
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics dealing with the relationship between heat and other forms of energy. In an electrochemical cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Thus, a link can be predicted between cell potential, free energy change, and the equilibrium constant for the reaction. Cell potential can also be measured as the oxidant or the reducing strength, and similar acid-base strength measures are reflected in equilibrium...
Thermodynamics: Chemical Potential and Activity
The thermodynamic equilibrium constant is more accurately defined in terms of activity rather than concentration.
What is Natural Selection?
Nature and Nurture
Synthetic Biology
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Standard Electrode Potentials

