Liverworts-Potential Source of Medicinal Compounds

Title: Liverworts-Potential Source of Medicinal Compounds

Volume: 14 Issue: 29

Author(s): Y. Asakawa

Affiliation:

Keywords: Marchantiophyta, liverwort, terpenoids, phenolics, aroma, bitterness, cytotoxicity, anti-obesity

Abstract: 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.

Cite this article as:

Asakawa Y., Liverworts-Potential Source of Medicinal Compounds, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2008; 14 (29) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208786404272