Pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds as topoisomerase inhibitors or cell differentiation inducers

Pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds such as .alpha. boswelic acidand its acetate, .beta.-boswellic acid and its acetate, which havean inhibitory effect on topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II, aredisclosed. Compositions based on the pentacyclic triterpenoidcompounds which can be used to treat various cancers in mammals arealso disclosed.

Lee, Y., Fang, Q., Wang, Z., Li, D., & Cook, C. (1991). IPC No. U.S.Pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds as topoisomerase inhibitors or cell differentiation inducers (Patent No. 5064823.)