Baccharis biological activities

BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES FROM THE GENUS BACCHARIS L. (COMPOSITAE)... 

To date more than 100 species from the large genus Baccharis have been investigated chemically. The most widespread compounds are clerodane diterpene derivatives, but labdane derivatives have also been isolated. Furthermore, typical acetylenic compounds, baccharis oxide, a unique triterpene, and derivatives of hydroxyacetophenone are present, although it is mainly other biologically active constituents, e.g. flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and essential oils that have been reported in the last years. The constituents of Baccharis species compiled from different sources are presented below. 

Compositae plants have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries, showing different biological activities. Of these, plants belonging to the genus Baccharis are reported to have excellent medicinal value. Several pharmacological activities, including antitumoral, antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects have been documented for extracts of Baccharis species and/or their constituents, and we present these below. 

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