Quassinoid

Quassinoids are degraded triterpene lactones (similar to limonoids) of the Simaroubaceae plant family grouped into C-18, C-19, C-20, C-22 and C-25 types. The prototypical member of the group, quassin, was first described in the 19th century from plants of the genus Quassia from which it gets its name. It was isolated in 1937, and its structure elucidated in 1961.

Uses

They are a biologically potent class of natural products, possessing antimalarial, antifeedant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer (or anti-leukemic) properties. The quassinoid bruceantin reached two separate phase II clinical trials in 1982 and 1983.

Other quassinoids include:

• Ailanthone
• Bruceanols
• Bruceolide
• Eurycomanone
• Gutolactone
• Isobrucein A
• Neoquassin
• Nigakihemiacetal A
• Odyendanol
• Picrasinol D
• Quassimarin
• Samaderines
• Simalikalactones (including simalikalactones A, B, C, simalikalactone D, and simalikalactone E)

Properties and effects

In addition to their intensely bitter taste, quassinoids exhibit antifeedant activity against insects. An antileukemic effect has also been reported. Furthermore, numerous studies have attributed antiviral, antiparasitic (particularly antimalarial), insecticidal, amoebicidal, and anti-inflammatory properties to many quassinoids.

Other sources

• Z. Guo, S. Vangapandu, R.W. Sindelar, L.A. Walker, R.D. Sindelar., Biologically active quassinoids and their chemistry: potential leads for drug design, Frontier. Med. Chem., 4 (2009), pp. 285-308