Bioactive Diterpenoids from Callicarpa Species
Summary
Plants of the genus Callicarpa have emerged as prolific sources of structurally diverse diterpenoids, encompassing labdane, abietane and clerodane skeletons. These natural products exhibit a broad spectrum of bioactivities, notably anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, and have been isolated from various species across Asia and the Americas. Structural elucidation of these compounds typically relies on a combination of mass spectrometry, one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultraviolet or infrared spectroscopies. The nuanced functionalisation patterns—such as epoxides, hydroxyls and carboxylates—underpin the interactions of diterpenoids with molecular targets, including inflammatory mediators and microbial enzymes. Recent investigations have explored their therapeutic potential in models of cervicitis, macrophage activation and cutaneous inflammation, underscoring the global significance of Callicarpa diterpenoids as leads for novel anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agents.
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Bioactive Diterpenoids from Callicarpa Species publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive diterpenoids from callicarpa species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Diterpenoid: A class of terpenoid compounds composed of four isoprene units (C20) exhibiting diverse ring systems and biological activities.
Labdane: A bicyclic diterpenoid framework characterised by a fused decalin core and methyl substitution at C-4 and C-10.
Abietane: A tricyclic diterpenoid skeleton featuring an aromatic A-ring and various oxygenated functional groups.
Clerodane: A bicyclic diterpenoid motif with a distinctive trans-decalin system and multiple stereogenic centres.
NLRP3 inflammasome: A cytosolic multiprotein complex that activates inflammatory caspases and mediates interleukin-1β maturation.
Nitric oxide (NO): A reactive signalling molecule produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase during inflammatory responses.
IC₅₀: The concentration of a compound required to inhibit a specific biological function by 50% under defined conditions.
References
- Active Substances from Callicarpa nudiflora Exert Anti-Cervicitis Effects and Regulate NLRP3-Associated Inflammation. Molecules (2021).
- Clerodane Diterpenoids from Callicarpa hypoleucophylla and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity. Molecules (2020).
- Two New Seco-Labdane Diterpenoids from the Leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora. Molecules (2022).
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