ABSTRACT
In this chapter we return to some more examples of terpenes, particularly those offering human health benets. One important group of terpenes forms the statin family of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins inhibit the enzyme hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors known as monacolins, which play an important role in the liver to produce cholesterol. Over the years, a great deal of research has resulted in a number of statin compounds reaching the market, including Mevacor, chemically known as lovastatin or monacolin K (Figure 10.1) produced by Merck from a microbial source, and later Simvastatin originating at Bristol Myers Squibb. The best-selling statin drug to date is sold by Pzer and known as Lipitor.
