In this paper, we report on the conformational analysis of several polyethe
r triterpenes with a squalene carbon skeleton which exhibited significant c
ytotoxic activity using a Monte Carlo conformational search and spectroscop
ical data. These studies indicate that the conformation of the side chain C
-14/C-19 and the arrangement and direction of this chain may be among the f
undamental factors related to the activity of this type of metabolites. (C)
1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.