Hemslecin is any of several compounds obtained from plants of the genus Hemsleya, which are used in Asian folk medicine. They are triterpene derivatives, specifically with the cucurbitane skeleton, related to cucurbitacin F.Jian-Chao Chen, Gao-Hong Zhang, Zhong-Quan Zhang, Ming-Hua Qiu, Yong-Tang Zheng, Liu-Meng Yang, Kai-Bei Yu (2008), "Octanorcucurbitane and Cucurbitane Triterpenoids from the Tubers of Hemsleya endecaphylla with HIV-1 Inhibitory Activity". J. Nat. Prod. volume 71, pages 153–155 Jian Chao Chen, Ming Hua Chiu, Rui Lin Nie, Geoffrey A. Cordell and Samuel X. Qiu (2005), "Cucurbitacins and cucurbitane glycosides: structures and biological activities" Natural Product Reports, volume 22, pages 386-399
The hemslecins include:
Hemslecin A, 25-acetoxy-23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F, from Hemsleya endecaphylla and from Helmseya amabilis Hemslecin B, 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin F, from Hemsleya endecaphylla Hemslecin C, synthesized from hemslecin A Hemslecin D from Helmseya lijiangensis Hemslecin E from Helmseya lijiangensis Hemslecin F from Helmseya lijiangensis Hemslecin G from Helmseya gigantha
Hemslecins A and B have antibacterial properties, and have been proven to be effective against infectious diseases such as enteritis, bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, and bacillary dysentery.
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