Pentacyclic Triterpenoids with Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Moiety, Privileged Hybrids in Anticancer Drug Discovery

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Apr 30

PMID 33918996

Citations 24

Authors

Vuyolwethu Khwaza

Sithenkosi Mlala

Opeoluwa O Oyedeji

Blessing A Aderibigbe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Pentacyclic triterpenoids are well-known phytochemicals with various biological activities commonly found in plants as secondary metabolites. The wide range of biological activities exhibited by triterpenoids has made them the most valuable sources of pharmacological agents. A number of novel triterpenoid derivatives with many skeletal modifications have been developed. The most important modifications are the formation of analogues or derivatives with nitrogen-containing heterocyclic scaffolds. The derivatives with nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are among the most promising candidate for the development of novel therapeutic drugs. About 75% of FDA-approved drugs are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moieties. The unique properties of heterocyclic compounds have encouraged many researchers to develop new triterpenoid analogous with pharmacological activities. In this review, we discuss recent advances of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic triterpenoids as potential therapeutic agents. This comprehensive review will assist medicinal chemists to understand new strategies that can result in the development of compounds with potential therapeutic efficacy.

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