Hemslecin is any of several compounds obtained from plants of the genus '' Hemsleya'', which are used in

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...

folk medicine Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine) comprises medical aspects of traditional knowledge that developed over generations within the folk beliefs of various societies, including indigenous peoples, before the ...

. They are

triterpene Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squa ...

derivatives, specifically with the

cucurbitane Cucurbitane is a class of chemical compounds with formula ( CAS number 65441-59-0). It is a polycyclic hydrocarbon, specifically triterpene. It is also an isomer of lanostane (specifically 19(10→9β)-abeolanostane), from which it differs by ...

skeleton, related to

cucurbitacin F Cucurbitacin is a class of biochemistry, biochemical compounds that some plants – notably members of the pumpkin and gourd family, Cucurbitaceae – produce and which function as a defence against herbivores. Cucurbitacins are chemically clas ...

.Jian-Chao Chen, Gao-Hong Zhang, Zhong-Quan Zhang, Ming-Hua Qiu, Yong-Tang Zheng, Liu-Meng Yang, Kai-Bei Yu (2008), "Octanorcucurbitane and Cucurbitane Triterpenoids from the Tubers of ''Hemsleya endecaphylla'' with HIV-1 Inhibitory Activity". ''J. Nat. Prod.'' volume 71, pages 153–155 Jian Chao Chen, Ming Hua Chiu, Rui Lin Nie, Geoffrey A. Cordell and Samuel X. Qiu (2005), "Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities" ''Natural Product Reports'', volume 22, pages 386-399 The hemslecins include: * Hemslecin A, 25-acetoxy-23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F, from ''

Hemsleya endecaphylla ''Hemsleya'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Eastern Himalayas to southern China and Papuasia. It is native to the countries of Assam (in India), Bismarck Archipelago (island group, part ...

'' and from '' Helmseya amabilis'' * Hemslecin B, 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F, from ''Hemsleya endecaphylla'' * Hemslecin C, synthesized from hemslecin A * Hemslecin D from ''Helmseya lijiangensis'' * Hemslecin E from ''Helmseya lijiangensis'' * Hemslecin F from ''Helmseya lijiangensis'' * Hemslecin G from ''Helmseya gigantha'' Hemslecins A and B have

antibacterial An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention ...

properties, and have been proven to be effective against infectious diseases such as

enteritis Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine. It is most commonly caused by food or drink contaminated with pathogenic microbes,Dugdale, David C., IIII, and George F Longretc"Enteritis" MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, 18 October 2008. Access ...

bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) in the lungs that causes coughing. Bronchitis usually begins as an infection in the nose, ears, throat, or sinuses. The infection then makes its way down to the bronchi. ...

, acute

tonsillitis Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat. It can be acute or chronic. Acute tonsillitis typically has a rapid onset. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and en ...

, and bacillary

dysentery Dysentery (UK pronunciation: , US: ), historically known as the bloody flux, is a type of gastroenteritis that results in bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation. Complications ...

References

{{Chemistry index Triterpenes