Chemistry and biological activity of azoprenylated secondary metabolites.
N-Prenyl secondary metabolites (isopentenylazo-, geranylazo-, farnesylazo- and their biosynthetic derivatives) represent a family of extremely rare natural products. Only in recent years have these alkaloids been recognized as interesting and valuable biologically active secondary metabolites. To date about 35 alkaloids have been isolated from plants mainly belonging to the Rutaceae family, and from fungi, bacteria, and/or obtained by chemical synthesis. These metabolites comprise anthranilic acid derivatives, diazepinones, and indole, and xanthine alkaloids. Many of the isolated prenylazo secondary metabolites and their semisynthetic derivatives are shown to exert valuable in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal effects. The aim of this comprehensive review is to examine the different types of prenylazo natural products from a chemical, phytochemical and biological perspective.
Genovese
Salvatore
S
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università "G. D'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti Scalo (CH), Italy. Electronic address: s.genovese@unich.it.
Curini
Massimo
M
Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Sezione di Chimica Organica, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Via del Liceo, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
Epifano
Francesco
F
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università "G. D'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti Scalo (CH), Italy.
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D027821:Rutaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001688:Biological Products