Natural and Semi-synthetic Licarins: Neolignans with Multi-functional Biological Properties

Abstract

Neolignans such as licarins are secondary metabolites found in many plant species which can be also obtained by organic synthesis and biosynthetic methodologies. This class of active plant principles has a dihydrobenzofuran nucleus derived from phenylpropanoids. They are extremely useful starting compounds which can be used in the semi-synthetic synthesis of analogues which may possess optimised and improved chemical and biological properties. Licarin A has been studied the most and has been shown to possess multi-functional biological properties ranging from cytotoxicity to antimicrobial activities and has even been used for the treatment of central nervous system complaints and metabolic disorders. In this review, the multi-functional biological properties of natural licarins and some of their semi-synthetic derivatives are discussed, along with the established mechanisms of action of these substances to demonstrate that they can be used as promising prototypes for the development of new medicinal drugs. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]