Triterpene glycosides from sea cucumbers and their biological activities.

Triterpenoid glycosides are abundantly present in sea cucumbers, which are responsible for the toxicity of these echinoderms. More than 100 triterpenoid glycosides have been isolated in the past 20 years and those are grouped into four main structural categories considering their aglycone structure: 3β-hydroxyholost-9(ll)-ene aglycone skeleton, 3β-hydroxyholost-7-ene skeleton, other holostane type aglycones and nonholostane aglycone. Most of the triterpenoid glycosides are found to be possessing potential biological activities. Among the biological activities, anticancer activity and antiviral activity are the most widely studied areas. In this communication, we have presented a general view of the structural characteristics of triterpenoid glycosides and their major biological activities. The structural significance and the application limitations of triterpene glycosides are also discussed.