Ailanthus Quassinoids and Their Biological Activity

Abstract

Ailanthus is an important genus of the Simaroubaceae family that is widely distributed in Asia and north Australia, and which is used in folk medicines. The plants of this genus have numerous therapeutic applications and have, therefore, been the subject of extensive chemical examination. The genus is a rich source of quassinoids, and more than 60 have been identified so far from this genus. Those reported to date have been compiled in this review, together with bioactivity data in an effort to show the rapid development in the phytochemistry and therapeutic applications of the Ailanthus species.