Recent Advances of Biologically Active Substances from the Marchantiophyta

Abstract

The Marchantiophyta (liverworts) produce a number of terpenoids, aromatic compounds and acetogenins, several of which show interesting biological properties, such as antimicrobial, antifungal, allergenic contact dermatitis, insecticide, insect antifeedant, cytotoxic, piscicidal, muscle relaxing, plant growth regulatory, anti-HIV and DNA polymerase β inhibitory, anti-obesity and neurotrophic activities. The isolation and chemical structures of the active compounds are discussed.

Comparison of the effects of marchantin C and fucoidan on sFlt-1 and angiogenesis in glioma microenvironment

“…This class of compound has shown a variety of biological functions (e.g. cytotoxicity, anti‐tumour and anti‐fungal activity) [24–26] . Marchantin C was reported to inhibit proliferation and invasion of glioma cell lines U87 and T98G, and promote the apoptosis of A172 glioma cell line [27,28] .…”

Cytotoxic and Antiviral Compounds from Bryophytes and Inedible Fungi

“…However, a number of bryophytes, especially, mosses have been widely used as medicinal plants in China, to cure burns, bruises, external wounds, snake bite, pulmonary tuberculosis, neurasthenia, fractures, convulsions, scald, uropathy, pneumonia, neurasthenia etc. as shown in Table 1 [9][10][11]. Many species of liverworts show characteristic fragrant odors and an intense pungent, sweet or bitter taste.…”

Pungent and Bitter, Cytotoxic and Antiviral Terpenoids from Some Bryophytes and Inedible Fungi

“…In fact, no reference concerning the use of bryophytes as food for humans has been seen. However, a number of bryophytes have been widely used as medicinal plants in China, to cure snake bite, burns, bruises, external wounds, pulmonary tuberculosis, neurasthenia, fractures, convulsions, scald, uropathy, and pneumonia, among others [9][10][11]. Several hundred new compounds have been reported from bryophytes, including more than 40 new skeletal terpenoids, aromatic compounds and acetogenins, and the biological activity of some have been recorded [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][12][13][14][15][16].…”