Phytochemistry of Bryophytes and Their Biological Activity

Bryophytes, comprising mosses, liverworts and hornworts, represent some of the earliest land plants and display a remarkable array of specialised metabolites. Their phytochemical repertoire includes terpenoids, bibenzyls, phenolic acids, flavonoids, very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and unique alkaloid derivatives. Biosynthesis of these compounds is often induced by environmental stresses, conferring defence against pathogens, herbivores and UV radiation. Advances in analytical methodology have revealed both conserved and lineage-specific pathways, illuminating chemotaxonomic relationships and ecological functions. Increasingly, bryophyte metabolites are investigated for antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, enzyme-inhibitory and cytotoxic activities, with applications ranging from novel anti-infectives to dietary supplements. Despite challenges posed by small biomass and complex matrices, integrative metabolomics and bioassay-guided isolation continue to uncover new bioactive scaffolds. The global significance of bryophyte phytochemistry lies in its potential to expand the natural-product pipeline, contribute to sustainable bioprospecting and enhance our understanding of plant evolution and adaptation.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have demonstrated that the habitat in which a moss grows has a profound effect on its chemical profile and biological efficacy. One investigation examined Pleurozium schreberi samples from distinct forest phytocoenoses, revealing marked variations in total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial potency. Extracts from young Pinus sylvestris monocultures exhibited the highest phenolic levels and strongest inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth, alongside selective cytotoxicity against fibroblast cell lines. This work underscores the role of environmental context in modulating secondary-metabolite accumulation and highlights the importance of ecological parameters in sourcing bryophyte-derived bioactives.

Phytochemistry of Bryophytes and Their Biological Activity publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemistry of bryophytes and their biological activity across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

UHPLC-HRMS: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, a method for comprehensive metabolite profiling.

Bibenzyl: A secondary metabolite featuring two benzyl moieties, often with biological activities such as enzyme inhibition.

Terpenoid: A diverse class of natural products constructed from isoprene units, encompassing mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes with ecological and pharmacological roles.

α-Glucosidase: An enzyme that hydrolyses terminal α-glucosidic linkages in carbohydrates; its inhibition is a strategy to manage post-prandial blood glucose levels.

Phenolic compound: An aromatic secondary metabolite bearing one or more hydroxyl groups, often responsible for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

References

1. Influence of phytocenosis on the medical potential of moss extracts: the Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. case. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. First Phytochemical Profiling and In-Vitro Antiprotozoal Activity of Essential Oil and Extract of Plagiochila porelloides. Molecules (2023).
3. Bio-guided isolation of alpha-glucosidase inhibitory compounds from Vietnamese liverwort Marchantia polymorpha : in vitro and in silico studies. RSC Advances (2023).
4. Chemical Composition, Lipid-Soluble Bioactive Compounds and Potential Health Benefits of the Moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. Plants (2023).