Natural Triterpenes -Role in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

The review highlights the biosynthesis and medicinal properties of several important triterpenes, which demonstrate their exceptional ability to modulate intracellular signaling pathways and control cancer. Terpenes are naturally synthesized bioactive molecules of herbal or marine origins. In nature, they are biosynthesized via the conjugation of isoprene units following head-to-tail arrangements, although exceptions are abundant. Substantial interest has been drawn recently due to their potent anticancer properties. Besides acting as anticancer agents, theycanalso control other diseases. About 20,000 triterpenes are hitherto known, which are built on ~ 100 scaffolds in nature. The majority undergo synthesis using the common intermediate, 3-oxidosqualene, by way of enzymatic catalysis. Within the plant kingdom, they are normally synthesized inside the higher plants, even of diverse families. In the marine world, they are primarily classified as sea cucumbers or similar species. As anticancer agents, triterpenes and their glycosides can inhibit tumor growth by exerting cytotoxicity, following apoptosis, or retarding cell division/mitosis. Uniquely, they wield anticancer actions without affecting normal cells. The major intracellular pathways frequently targeted are NF–κβ and STAT–3. It is further claimed that triterpenes can also prevent the intracellular switching mechanism during transformation from normal to tumor cells by deactivating proto-oncogenes or activating the tumor suppressor genes like p53 or others if administered previously. Numerous anticancer drugs have recently been synthesized by modifying different triterpene structures to enhance their medicinal efficacy