Triterpene glycosides toxicity

Cueurbitacins tetracyclic triterpenes found as their glycosides in the Cucurbitaceae and Cruciferae. These toxic, bitter compounds are structurally related to the parent hydrocarbon, cucurbitane [19(10-9P)-abeo-5p-lanostane], which differs from lanostane (see Lanosterol) in the formal shift of the 10-methyl group to the 9p-position. Cucurbitacin E was formerly known as elaterin. C. have a laxative action some serve as insect attractants, and a few have antineo-plastic and antigibberellin activity. 

The formation of cardiac glycosides from non-toxic plant sterols (Figure 7.12) and of related saponins from common triterpenes (Figure 7.13) have already been described. 

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