| Popis: |
Inflammatory diseases constitute a major problem of public health in the world. Pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTs) belong to those naturally occurring substances that are of considerable interest for potential health benefits. Indeed, they displayed protective effects against development of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy adverse effects, inflammation, oxidation, cardiovascular disorders, and viral infections. PCTs are a subdivision of an important group of botanical active constituents known as triterpenoids. When complexed with sugar molecules, PCTs are called triterpene glycosides or saponins. Several of the PCTs have shown inhibitory action for the cyclooxygenase and/or lipoxygenase enzymes involved in inflammation process. Thereby, the use of those nutraceuticals at pharmacological dose is emerging as a therapeutic approach to target the complex metabolic and immune dysregulations. Three of the most widely occurring and intensively investigated PCTs are lupeol, betulinic acid, and ursolic acid. In this chapter, those three bioactive secondary metabolites derived from higher plants with regard to their potentially anti-inflammatory benefits are reviewed. |
