Bioactive Lignans and Their Pharmacological Applications
Summary
Bioactive lignans are a diverse class of plant-derived phenolic dimers characterised by varied core structures and substitution patterns. Found in seeds, stems and roots of numerous botanical families, these compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antiplatelet effects. Their mechanisms of action often involve modulation of oxidative stress pathways, inhibition of key enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and carbohydrate-hydrolysing hydrolases, interference with signal transduction in tumour cells and binding to cell-surface integrins. Structural subclasses such as dibenzylbutanes, arylnaphthalenes and neolignans serve as versatile scaffolds for medicinal chemistry optimisation. Advances in isolation techniques, biosynthetic pathway elucidation and total synthesis have facilitated in vitro and in vivo evaluations, highlighting the global significance of lignans as leads for drug discovery and development against chronic diseases, infectious agents and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Bioactive Lignans and Their Pharmacological Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in bioactive lignans and their pharmacological applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Bioactive lignans: Phenolic dimers formed by oxidative coupling of monolignols, notable for diverse health-promoting properties.
Arylnaphthalene lignans: Subgroup of lignans featuring a tetracyclic aromatic-naphthalene skeleton, often exhibiting potent cytotoxic and antiviral activities.
Cytotoxicity: The capacity of a compound to induce cell death or inhibit cell proliferation, commonly assessed in vitro for anticancer screening.
Antioxidant activity: The ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species or inhibit oxidative pathways, thereby protecting cells from damage.
References
- Chemical Characterization of Different Extracts of Justicia secunda Vahl and Determination of Their Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Enzymatic, Anti-Viral, and Cytotoxic Properties. Antioxidants (2023).
- Overview of the Justicia Genus: Insights into Its Chemical Diversity and Biological Potential. Molecules (2023).
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