Chemical structure of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a phorbol ester
Phorbol esters are a class of chemical compounds found in a variety of plants, particularly in the families Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae.[1][2] Chemically, they are esterderivatives of the tetracyclic diterpenoidphorbol.
Phorbol esters are known for their ability to promote tumors.[2] In particular, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is used as a biomedical research tool in models of carcinogenesis.[4][5]
Plants that contain phorbol esters are often poisonous.[5]
References[]
^Goel, G; Makkar, H. P.; Francis, G; Becker, K (2007). "Phorbol esters: Structure, biological activity, and toxicity in animals". International Journal of Toxicology. 26 (4): 279–88. CiteSeerX10.1.1.320.6537. doi:10.1080/10915810701464641. PMID17661218. S2CID11550625.
^ abcdEvans, Gerald A.; Farrar, William L. (1998-01-01), "Phorbol Esters", in Delves, Peter J. (ed.), Encyclopedia of Immunology (Second Edition), Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 1940–1942, doi:10.1006/rwei.1999.0488, ISBN978-0-12-226765-9, retrieved 2020-11-26