Cucurbitacins: Bioactivities and synergistic effect with small-molecule drugs

Cucurbitacins, widely found in plants belonging to the family of Cucurbitaceae, are highly oxidized tetracyclic triterpenes with various bioactivities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection. Among which, the anticancer activity of cucurbitacins is well studied. Cucurbitacins have been reported to promote apoptosis through the JAK/STAT3 pathway and the MAPK pathway. Cucurbitacins can block the cell cycle by inhibiting...