title: Liverworts-potential source of medicinal compounds.
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 beta 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan. asakawa@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asakawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D035926:Hepatophyta / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009812:Odorants; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013729:Terpenes