Quassinoids

Quassinoids refer to the group of compounds as the bitter principles of the Simaroubaceae family , and chemically they are degraded triterpenes that has undergone extensive oxidative biodegradation, which has left their carbon skeleton highly oxygenated. Quassinoids have attracted much attention due to the wide spectrum of biological activities including anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-ulcer, antifeedant, insecticidal, amoebicidal, herbicidal, antiparasatic and anti-inflammatory activities. Up to date, several novel bioactive quassinoids are being reported keeping the possibility of obtaining a lead molecule within the realm of possibility.