Molecules 2013, 18, 4054-4080; doi:10.3390/molecules18044054 OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Review Protostane and Fusidane Triterpenes: A Mini-Review Ming Zhao 1,*, Tanja Gödecke 1, Jordan Gunn 1, Jin-Ao Duan 2 and Chun-Tao Che 1 1 Department of Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy, and WHO Collaborative Center for Traditional Medicine, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA 2 Jiangsu Key Laboratory for TCM Formulae Research, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, China * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +1-312-996-1557; Fax: +1-312-996-7107. Received: 6 March 2013; in revised form: 29 March 2013 / Accepted: 1 April 2013 / Published: 5 April 2013 Abstract: Protostane triterpenes belong to a group of tetracyclic triterpene that exhibit unique structural characteristics. Their natural distribution is primarily limited to the genus Alisma of the Alismataceae family, but they have also been occasionally found in other plant genera such as Lobelia, Garcinia, and Leucas. To date, there are 59 known protostane structures. Many of them have been reported to possess biological properties such as improving lipotropism, hepatoprotection, anti-viral activity against hepatitis B and HIV-I virus, anti-cancer activity, as well as reversal of multidrug resistance in cancer cells. On the other hand, fusidanes are fungal products characterized by 29-nor protostane structures. They possess antibiotic properties against staphylococci, including the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Fusidic acid is a representative member which has found clinical applications. This review covers plant sources of the protostanes, their structure elucidation, characteristic structural and spectral properties, as well as biological activities.