Recent Progress in the Chemistry of Pandanus Alkaloids

The genus Pandanus (Pandanaceae) is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions. With about 700 species worldwide, three Pandanus species (P. amaryllifolius, P. utilis, and P. dubius) have been investigated and found to contain new alkaloids possessing a pyrrolidinyl-α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone, a γ-butylidene-α-methyl-α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam, and/or indolizidine residues. Several total syntheses of Pandanus alkaloids have been accomplished. Several pharmacological studies on Pandanus species, including scientific validations of their antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antidiarrheal, and cytotoxic activities, have been conducted in relation to their traditional folk medicine uses.