Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Biosynthesis of biologically active terpenoids in the mint family (Lamiaceae)
Maximilian Frey1,2, Sandra T Gohr2, Tobias G Köllner3
1Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany. maximilian.frey@ipb-halle.de.
Abstract:
Covering: 2000 to 2025The Lamiaceae family, the sixth largest among angiosperms, is renowned for its rich diversity of terpenoids, many of which exhibit remarkable bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, psychoactive, anti-cancer, and antiviral effects. Notable examples with fully elucidated biosynthetic pathways include menthol from peppermint, forskolin from blue spur flower, and carnosol from rosemary. For other key Lamiaceae terpenes-such as the anti-cancer oridonin, the psychoactive salvinorin A, and bioactive marrubiin and vitexilactone-significant progress has been made. This review explores the bioactivity and biosynthesis of Lamiaceae terpenes, with a focus on mono- and diterpenes, while highlighting future research directions.
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis of Lipids
Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In 1825, Faraday...
Biosynthesis in Bacteria
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Lipid Catabolism
Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids

