Cucurbitacin B and Its Derivatives: A Review of Progress in Biological Activities
Wen-Zhe Nie, Yalan Wang, Xinlu Tian, Jinying Liu, Zhanhui Jin, Junjie Xu, Miaohai He, Qing‐Kun Shen, Hongyan Guo, Tian Luan
Abstract
The emergence of natural products has provided extremely valuable references for the treatment of various diseases. Cucurbitacin B, a tetracyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from cucurbitaceae and other plants, is the most abundant member of the cucurbitin family and exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and even agricultural applications. Due to its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window, structural modification and dosage form development are necessary to address these issues with cucurbitacin B. This paper reviews recent research progress in the pharmacological action, structural modification, and application of cucurbitacin B. This review aims to enhance understanding of advancements in this field and provide constructive suggestions for further research on cucurbitacin B.