Recent advances in chemistry and bioactivity of decalin-containing natural products (2014-2025)

Decalin-containing natural products are a significant family of structurally diverse secondary metabolites harboring architecturally multifunctionalized substituents in the decalin core. These compounds are predominantly originated from microorganisms, especially fungi, by terpene or polyketide biosynthetic pathways. They were found with remarkable biological properties, mainly including antimicrobial, antitumor, and antiinflammatory properties. The continuous studies have significantly expanded the structural types and biological diversity of decalin-containing natural products. To provide a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in the chemistry and bioactivity of decalin-containing natural products, this review summarizes 532 new polyketide-type (77.4%) and isoprenoid-type decalins (22.6%) reported from both terrestrial and marine organisms between 2014 and 2025, along with their chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, and structure activity relationships. This review will shed light on further untapped potential pharmacological applications and drug discovery in human health based on decalin-containing natural products.