Structural requirements for the anti-inflammatory activity of natural triterpenoids.

In order to establish the possible relationship between their chemical structures and pharmacological properties, the oral and topical anti-inflammatory activities of ten triterpenoids belonging to the lupane, oleanane, and ursane series, were evaluated. All triterpenoids were remarkably active against the edema produced by TPA. While the basic carbon skeleton has no influence on the activity, the presence of a C-28 or C-30 carboxylic group and an alcoholic group at C-28 increases the activity in carrageenan- and EPP-induced edemas, respectively.