Covering: up to May 2010

This review (with 335 references cited) is devoted to pentacyclic triterpenes. The total synthesis, semi-synthesis, structural modification, and metabolic behavior of naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenes are described. We also cover the in vivo evidence, mechanistic studies, and clinical significance of pentacyclic triterpenes as multi-target therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of metabolic and vascular diseases.