# name
The Pentacyclic Triterpenes α, β-amyrins: A Review of Sources and Biological Activities

# metadata.dc.description.abstract[].value
Pentacyclic triterpenes are ubiquitously distributed throughout the plant kingdom, in a free
form as aglycones or in combined forms, and have long been known to have a number of
biological effects. The compounds alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin are commonly found in
medicinal plants and oleo-resin obtained by bark incision of several species of Bursera or
Protium of the Burseraceae family. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that beta-
amyrin also has important biological functions.
In light of the considerable interest recently generated in the chemistry and pharmacological
properties of amyrins and their analogs, we have undertaken this review in an effort to
summarize the available literature on these promising bioactive natural products. The review
will detail the recent studies on the chemistry and bioactivity of alpha, beta-amyrins, which is
presented in the following sections: the isolation and distribution of alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin,
giving a brief introduction to amyrins as natural products and the methods used in their
isolation; the biological activities of amyrins, examining the biological properties associated
with these compounds with a focus on their potential chemotherapeutic applications.

# metadata.dc.relation.ispartof[].value
Chapter 23 in: Rao, Venketeshwer. 2012. Phytochemicals: A Global Perspective of Their Role in Nutrition and Health. IntechOpen. ISBN: 978-953-51-4317-8. DOI: 10.5772/1387 pp: 487-502.

# metadata.dc.rights[].value
cc by (c) Hernández-Vázquez, Liliana et al., 2012

# metadata.dc.source[].value
Llibres / Capítols de llibre (Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient)

# metadata.dc.title[].value
The Pentacyclic Triterpenes α, β-amyrins: A Review of Sources and Biological Activities