Pentacyclic Triterpenes, Hopane Type

Boswellic acids are constituents of incense (olibanum) from Boswellia serrata and B. carterii (Burseraceae) a-boswellic acid incorporates the 12-oleanene core structure (section 6.3.3), while 12-ursene is the parent hydrocarbon of p-boswellic acid and ketoboswellic acid. Various derivatives of boswellic acids are reported to have antiinflammatory properties and therefore are suggested to be potential cortisone substitutes. 

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Ensminger A., van DorsselaerA., Spyckerelle Ch., Albrecht P, Ourisson G. (1973) Pentacyclic triterpenes of the hopane type as ubiquitous geochemical markers origin and significance. In Advances in Organic Geochemistry 1973 (ed. Tissot B., Bienner F.), 245-60. Paris Technip. 

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