title: Growing with dinosaurs: natural products from the Cretaceous relictMetasequoia glyptostroboidesHu & Cheng-a molecular reservoir from the ancient world with potential in modern medicine.
abstract: After the sensational rediscovery of living exemplars of the Cretaceous relictMetasequoia glyptostroboides-a tree previously known exclusively from fossils from various locations in the northern hemisphere, there has been an increasing interest in discovery of novel natural products from this unique plant source. This article includes the first complete compilation of natural products reported fromM. glyptostroboidesduring the entire period in which the tree has been investigated (1954-2014) with main focus on the compounds specific to this plant source. Studies on the biological activity of pure compounds and extracts derived fromM. glyptostroboidesare reviewed for the first time. The unique potential ofM. glyptostroboidesas a source of bioactive constituents is founded on the fact that the tree seems to have survived unchanged since the Cretaceous era. Since then, its molecular defense system has resisted the attacks of millions of generations of pathogens. In line with this, some recent landmarks inMetasequoiapaleobotany are covered. Initial spectral analysis of recently discovered intact 53 million year old wood and amber ofMetasequoiastrongly indicate that the tree has remained unchanged for millions of years at the molecular level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Centre for Pharmacy, University of Bergen, Allégt. 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole Johan
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Juvik
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Centre for Pharmacy, University of Bergen, Allégt. 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Xuan Hong Thy
authors.initials: XHT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgt. 53 A, 5007 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Heidi Lie
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Centre for Pharmacy, University of Bergen, Allégt. 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Torgils
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fossen
keywords: Biological activity; Living fossil; Metasequoia glyptostroboides; Natural products; Paleobotany