Diterpenes, cocarcinogenic

The seeds of Aleurites fordii, the tung nut (Euphorbiaceae), formerly cultivated in the south central United States, and presently cultivated in Argentina and China produce toxic proteins. There are many references to human poisoning by this plant, as the seed is large and, to many, appears edible. Press cake from the manufacture of tung oil also is toxic and difficult to detoxify. Cocarcinogenic diterpenes have been recently reported from this plant and are undoubtedly responsible for part of the toxic activity (Beutler et al., 1989). Plants of Jatropha curcas and J. mul-tifida, also from the Euphorbiaceae, contain toxic proteins, sometimes called curcin. Both species are planted widely in the tropics. 

Cocarcinogenic Diterpenes from the Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae Bicyclic Diterpenes Manool Derivatives Labdane Derivatives Clerodane Derivatives Tricyclic Diterpenes... 

Diterpenes appear to be useful for phylogenetic studies of several groups of plants. Among these are cocarcinogenic diterpenes of the Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae, graya-... 

Certain cocarcinogenic diterpenes also possess antitumor activity see above). 

Hecker, E., New toxic, irritant and cocarcinogenic diterpene esters from Euphorbiaceae and from Thymelaeaceae, Pure Appl. Chem., 49, 1423-1431 (1977). 

Triterpenoid (steroidal) bitter substances (cucurbitacins) and saponins present, also alkaloids and alkaloid-like substances Caustic latex in many species, due to presence of highly irritant pro-inflammatory, cocarcinogenic diterpene derivatives... 

Highly irritant, pro-inflammatory, cocarcinogenic diterpene derivatives present As for Hippomane lectins have also been isolated A sparteine derivative occurs in one species Various flavonoids, benzophenones, styrenes, furans, etc., present... 

Adolf, W. and E. Hecker, Diterpene irritants and cocarcinogens in Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae Structural relationships in view of their biogenesis, Israel J. Chem., 16, 75-83 (1977). 

Hecker, E., Cocarcinogens of the diterpene ester type as principal risk factors of cancer in Curacao and possibly in South China, in Cancer of the Liver, Esophagus and Nasopharynx (G. Wagner and Z. You-Hui, eds.), 101-il3, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1987a. 

Goerttler, K., Loehrke, H., Schweizer, J. and Hesse, B. 1982, Diterpene ester-mediated two-stage carcinogenesis, Jn "Carcinogenesis, Vol 7, Cocarcinogens and Biological Effects of Tumor-Promoters", E. Hecker, N.E. Fusenig, W. Kunz, F. Marks and H.W. Thielmann, eds.. Raven Press, New York. 

Most species of Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae contain a milky latex which can act as an effective adhesive, but the genera of Euphorbiaceae listed in the table are also well known for the presence in them of long-chain fatty acid esters of diterpene alcohols whose properties may include powerful pro-inflammatory and/or cocarcinogenic and other effects. Two species of the small genus Schoenobiblus C. Martius, which belongs to the Thymelaeaceae,... 

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