triterpane
Triterpanes are a class of organic compounds belonging to the isoprenoid family. They are characterized by a carbon skeleton composed of thirty carbon atoms, built from six isoprene units. The fundamental structure of a triterpane is a fused ring system, typically consisting of four six-membered rings and one five-membered ring, though variations exist. These compounds are widely distributed in nature, particularly in plants, where they often occur as secondary metabolites. They are synthesized through the mevalonate pathway or the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, leading to the formation of squalene, which then cyclizes to form the basic triterpane skeleton.
Triterpanes exhibit a wide range of chemical structures and biological activities. Many triterpanes are oxygenated, forming