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Review
. 2022;21(2):537-563.
doi: 10.1007/s11101-021-09785-x. Epub 2021 Nov 18.

Immunomodulatory properties of triterpenes

Gülin Renda  1 , İçim Gökkaya  1 , Didem Şöhretoğlu  2
Affiliations
Review

Immunomodulatory properties of triterpenes

Gülin Renda et al. Phytochem Rev. 2022.

Abstract

The immune system is one of the main defence mechanisms of the human body. Inadequacy of this system or immunodeficiency results in increased risk of infections and tumours, whereas over-activation of the immune system causes allergic or autoimmune disorders. A well-balanced immune system is important for protection and for alleviation of these diseases. There is a growing interest to maintain a well-balanced immune system, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many biological extracts, as well as natural products, have become popular due to their wide array of immunomodulatory effects and influence on the immune system. Triterpenes, one of the secondary metabolite groups of medicinal plants, exhibit immunomodulatory properties by various mechanisms. Different triterpenes, including components of commonly consumed plants, can promote some protection and alleviation of disease symptoms linked with immune responses and thus enhance overall well-being. This review aims to highlight the efficacy of triterpenes in light of the available literature evidence regarding the immunomodulatory properties of triterpenes. We have reviewed widely investigated immunomodulatory triterpenes; oleanolic acid, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, pristimerin, ursolic acid, boswellic acid, celastrol, lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid, ganoderic acid, cucumarioside, and astragalosides which have important immunoregulatory properties. In spite of many preclinical and clinical trials were conducted on triterpenes related to their immunoregulatory actions, current studies have several limitations. Therefore, especially more clinical studies with optimal design is essential.

Keywords: Immunoregulation; Immunostimulation; Immunosuppression; Natural product; Terpenoids.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Structures of some tetracyclic and pentacyclic triterpene skeletons
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Structure of oleanolic acid
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Structures of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Structure of celastrol
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Structure of pristimerin
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Structure of ursolic acid
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Structures of some boswellic acids
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Structure of lupeol
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Structure of betulin and betulinic acid
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Structures of some ganoderic acids
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Structures of some cucumarosides
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
Structures of some astragalosides
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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