Casbene-derived diterpenoids

In terms of biogenesis, all lathyrane-, tigliane-, ingenane-, and daphnane-type diterpenoids are derived from casbene. These compounds possess a wide range of therapeutically relevant biological activities, such as anticancer, anti–human immunodeficiency virus, and antiinflammatory, and many have been used as remedies or underwent clinic trials to treat the relevant diseases. Because the approved drugs and the most promising candidates in casbene-derived diterpenoids belong to the tigliane, ingenane, and daphnane types, this chapter introduces the structural features of these three compounds and reviews their pharmacologic activities, therapeutic targets, and structure–activity relationships. We hope that this chapter will provide an incentive to researchers who engage in drug development using casbene-derived diterpenoids as leads.