Terpenoids

Brusatol (NSC 172924) is a unique inhibitor of the Nrf2 pathway that sensitizes a broad spectrum of cancer cells to Cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic agents. Brusatol enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy by inhibiting the Nrf2-mediated defense mechanism. Brusatol can be developed into an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent. Brusatol increases cellular apoptosis.

Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone found in the medicinal herb Feverfew. Parthenolide exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NF-κB activation; also inhibits HDAC1 protein without affecting other class I/II HDACs.

Genipin ((+)-Genipin) is a natural crosslinking reagent derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruits. Genipin inhibits UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) in cells. Genipin has a variety of bioactivities, including modulation on proteins, antitumor, anti-inflammation, immunosuppression, antithrombosis, and protection of hippocampal neurons. Genipin also can be used for type 2 diabetes research.

Saponins (Saponin) is a class of chemical compound of glycosides found in particular abundance in various plant species. In plants, Saponins may serve as anti-feedants, and to protect the plant against microbes and fungi.

Oleanolic acid (Caryophyllin) is a natural compound from plants with anti-tumor activities.

Astaxanthin, the red dietary carotenoid, is an orally effective and potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin inhibits NF-κB and down-regulates VEGF in blood glucose. Astaxanthin exerts anti-cancer cell proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs migration and invasion by activating PPARγ and reducing the expression of STAT3. Astaxanthin also has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in studies of cancer, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and in the coloring of animal feed.

Andrographolide is a NF-κB inhibitor, which inhibits NF-κB activation through covalent modification of a cysteine residue on p50 in endothelial cells without affecting IκBα degradation or p50/p65 nuclear translocation. Andrographolide has antiviral effects.

Asiaticoside, a trisaccaride triterpene from Centella asiatica, suppresses TGF-β/Smad signaling through inducing Smad7 and inhibiting TGF-βRI and TGF-βRII in keloid fibroblasts; Asiaticoside shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer properties.

Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the major active components of Panax ginseng. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates the impaired cognitive function, displays promising effects by reducing cerebral Aβ levels. Ginsenoside Rg1 also reduces NF-κB nuclear translocation.

Betulinic acid is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, acts as a eukaryotic topoisomerase I inhibitor, with an IC₅₀ of 5 μM, and possesses anti-HIV, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Betulinic acid can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Oleuropein, found in olive leaves and oil, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects through direct inhibition of PPARγ transcriptional activity. Oleuropein induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via the p53-dependent pathway and through the regulation of Bax and Bcl2 genes. Oleuropein also inhibits aromatase.

20(S)-Ginsenoside Rg3 is the main component of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits Na⁺ and hKv1.4 channel with IC₅₀s of 32.2±4.5 and 32.6±2.2 μM, respectively. 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rg3 also inhibits Aβ levels, NF-κB activity, and COX-2 expression.

Isotretinoin (13-cis-Retinoic acid) is an orally active vitamin A derivative and is often be used for the research of severe acne. Isotretinoin also shows anticancer activity.

9-cis-Retinoic acid (ALRT1057), a vitamin A derivative, is a potent RAR/RXR agonist. 9-cis-Retinoic acid induces apoptosis, regulates cell cycle and has anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection activities.

Ginsenoside Rb1, a main constituent of the root of Panax ginseng, inhibits Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity with an IC₅₀ of 6.3±1.0 μM. Ginsenoside also inhibits IRAK-1 activation and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 .

Abscisic acid ((S)-(+)-Abscisic acid), an orally active phytohormone in fruits and vegetables, is an endogenously produced mammalian hormone. Abscisic acid is a growth inhibitor and can regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. Abscisic acid inhibits proton pump (H⁺-ATPase) and leads to the plasma membrane depolarization in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. Abscisic acid, a LANCL2 natural ligand, is a potent insulin-sensitizing compound and has the potential for pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Lutein (Xanthophyll) is a carotenoid with reported anti-inflammatory properties. A large body of evidence shows that lutein has several beneficial effects, especially on eye health. Lutein exerts its biological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidase and anti-apoptosis, through effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS). Lutein is able to arrive in the brain and shows antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects. Lutein is orally active.

Squalene (Super Squalene) is an intermediate product in the synthesis of cholesterol, and shows several pharmacological properties such as hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, antiatherosclerotic, cardioprotective, antioxidant, and antitumour activity.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid is the major bioactive component of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and possesses anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.

Guggulsterone is a plant sterol derived from the gum resin of the tree Commiphora wightii. Guggulsterone inhibits the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells and induces apoptosis through down regulation of antiapoptotic gene products (IAP1, xIAP, Bfl-1/A1, Bcl-2, cFLIP and survivin), modulation of cell cycle proteins (cyclin D1 and c-Myc), activation of caspases and JNK, inhibition of Akt. Guggulsterone, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist, with IC₅₀s of 24.06 μM and 39.05 μM for (-)-(E)-Guggulsterone (HY-N7781) and (Z)-Guggulsterone (HY-110066), respectively.