Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Iridoids: Recent Developments

Title: Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Iridoids: Recent Developments

Volume: 8 Issue: 4

Author(s): Rosa Tundis, Monica R. Loizzo, Federica Menichini, Giancarlo A. Statti and Francesco Menichini

Affiliation:

Keywords: Iridoids, secoiridoids, neuroprotection, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, aglycones, glycosides, other biological properties

Abstract: Iridoids represent a large group of cyclopenta[c]pyran monoterpenoids that occur wide-spread in nature, mainly in dicotyledonous plant families like Apocynaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Diervillaceae, Lamiaceae, Loganiaceae and Rubiaceae. Recently, more extensive studies revealed that iridoids exhibit a wide range of bioactivity, such as neuroprotective, antinflammatory and immunomodulator, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects. Anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobic, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, choleretic, antispasmodic and purgative properties were also reported. The aim of the present review is to discuss the recent developments on biological and pharmacological activities of iridoids, supporting the new therapeutic possibilities for the use of these compounds.

Cite this article as:

Tundis Rosa, Loizzo R. Monica, Menichini Federica, Statti A. Giancarlo and Menichini Francesco, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Iridoids: Recent Developments, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2008; 8 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955708783955926