Natural phenanthrenes and their biological activity
Adriána Kovács1, Andrea Vasas, Judit Hohmann
1Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
This review details naturally occurring phenanthrene compounds from plants, focusing on their structures and diverse biological activities. It highlights their prevalence in the Orchidaceae family and traditional medicinal uses.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Phenanthrene compounds are naturally occurring plant metabolites.
- Previous reviews on phenanthrenes are limited, with Gorham (1989) covering stilbenes and phenanthrenes.
- This review focuses on hydroxy/methoxy-substituted, methylated, prenylated, and polymeric phenanthrenes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey naturally occurring phenanthrene compounds from various plants.
- To provide an overview of phenanthrene derivatives and their biological activities.
- To update the literature on phenanthrene phytochemistry and pharmacology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review based on 120 references.
- Compilation of data on phenanthrene structures, isolation, and biological activities.
- Focus on phenanthrenes from higher plants, particularly Orchidaceae and Hepaticae.
Main Results:
- 252 phenanthrene compounds are described, including monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric forms.
- Phenanthrenes are predominantly found in the Orchidaceae family (e.g., Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum).
- Phenanthrenes exhibit a wide range of biological activities: cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and more.
Conclusions:
- Phenanthrene distribution strongly correlates with plant taxonomy.
- These compounds have significant potential in traditional medicine and drug discovery.
- Further research into phenanthrenes from medicinal plants like Tamus communis is warranted.
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