Phorbol esters

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 ester derivatives of the tetracyclic diterpenoid phorbol.

Chemical structure of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a phorbol ester

Biological activity

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a phorbol ester receptor.^[2][3] Phorbol esters can stimulate PKC in a similar way to diglycerides.^[2][3]

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]