Chemical modifications of natural triterpenes-glycyrrhetinic and boswellic acids: evaluation of their biological activity

Synthetic analogues of naturally occurring triterpenoids: glycyrrhetinic acid, arjunolic acid, and boswellic acids, by modification of A-ring with a cyano- and enone-functionality, have been reported. A novel method of synthesis of alpha-cyanoenones from isoxazoles is reported. Bioassays using primary mouse macrophages and tumor cell lines indicate potent anti-inflammatory and cycotoxic activities associated with cyano-enones of boswellic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All Fights reserved.