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Liverworts-Potential Source of Medicinal Compounds

2008; Bentham Science Publishers; Volume: 14; Issue: 29 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2174/138161208786404272

1873-4286

Y. Asakawa,

Botany and Plant Ecology Studies

The bryophytes contain the Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Bryophyta (mosses) and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts) among which the Marchantiophyta contain cellular oil body and they produce a number of terpenoids, aromatic compounds and acetogenins, several of which show interesting biological activity such as allergenic contact dermatitis, insecticide, insect antifeedant, cytotoxic, piscicidal, muscle relaxing, plant growth regulatory, anti-HIV, DNA polymerase β inhibitory, anti-obesity, neurotrophic, NO production inhibitory, antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The isolation and chemical structures of biologically active compounds and their total synthesis are reviewed. Keywords: Marchantiophyta, liverwort, terpenoids, phenolics, aroma, bitterness, cytotoxicity, anti-obesity