title: Chemistry and Biology of the Genus Flourensia (Asteraceae).
abstract: Flourensia species are dominant plants that are adapted to semidesertic and desertic regions. It is believed that they are successful plants because they employ several protection mechanisms, including the formation of a waxy film on their aerial parts to protect them from dehydration. This waxy film contains chemical compounds that are capable of inhibiting the growth of other plants and of acting as allelopathic and herbicidal agents and as germination inhibitors. These plants also limit herbivory, and they exhibit insecticidal, insect antifeedant, antibacterial, antifungal, antialgal, and antitermite activities. Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, benzofurans, chromenes, coumarins, lupan triterpenes, aliphatic lactones, and aromatic and acetilenic compounds have all been isolated from the organic extracts of Flourensia species. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aliphatic hydrocarbons are the main constituents found in their essential oils. This review is an overview of the chemical constituents and of the biological activities of Flourensia species.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, IICBA, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Avenida Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, 62209 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México, (phone: +52-777-3297000 ext. 6024; fax: +52-777-3297997). myolanda@uaem.mx.
authors.forename: María Yolanda
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Rios
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
keywords: Benzofurans; Chromenes; Flavonoids; Flourensia; Sesquiterpenes