Lignans compounds sources

Schisandra chinensis is a rich source of lignan compounds and their lignans have been analyzed by various methods including HPLC, GC, GC-MS, TLC, LC-MS and CE. Comparing with other methods, HPLC is widely used and more reliable method for Schisandra lignans analysis and LC/MS is vety useful for identification of lignans in Schisandra fruits. 

Axelson, M. and Setchell, K.D.R. 1981. The excretion of lignans in rats as evidence for an intestinal bacterial source for this new group of compounds. FEES Lett. 123, 337-343. 

Flavonolignans are the most extensively studied group of non-conventional lignans, particularly because of their diverse pharmacological activities. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), an ancient therapy for acute and chronic liver diseases, is the first known source of this group of compounds (15). Havonolignans, isolated... 

Antioxidants from Cereais, Oiiseeds, and Rotated Sources Seeds rich in oils are also abundant sources of various types of antioxidative compounds. Among these carotenoids, phenolic acids, and their derivatives, flavonoids, phytic acid, lignans, and tocopherols are predominantly found depending on the plant genera and species. Reviews by Wanasundara et al. (110) and Shukla et al. (111) discuss antioxidants of oilseeds and their products in detail. 

A lot of anticancerous agents have been isolated from natural sources especially from microorganisms and plants. However, there is no one special type of compound for cancer therapy various types of substances are effective for various types of cancers and tumors, for instance, alkaloids, lignans, terpenes and steroids [1]. In this report, concentrates on those antitumor compounds isolated from higher plants. 

SETCHELL, K.D.R., A.M. LAWSON, E. CONWAY, N.F. TAYLOR, D.N. KIRK, G. COOLEY, R.D. FARRANT, S. WYNN, M. AXELSON. 1981. The definite identification of the lignans trans-2,3-bis(3-hydroxybenzyl)-Y-butyrolac-tone and 2,3-bis(3-hydroxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol in human and animal urine. Biochem. J. 197 447-458. AXELSON, M., K.D.R. SETCHELL. 1981. The excretion of lignans in rats - evidence for an intestinal bacterial source for this new group of compounds. 

Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years. Compounds extracted from natural products have been used either as a new drug or a lead molecule to synthesize modem therapeutic agents in the treatment of variety of diseases for centuries. Pharmacologic activities have been found in different kinds of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and lignans, all firstly isolated from plants. 

A new lignan glycoside was also identified in the methanol extract of fruits of Comus kousa L. comuskoside A [Lee et al., 2008a], This compound is a xylopyranoside of dihydrodehydroconiferyl alcohol and was isolated for the first time from a natural source in these fruits. 

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