Stilbenoids distribution

Stilbene system is widely distributed in nature where it is found in a variety of compounds that exhibit therapeutic roles in different fields, including cancer treatment. Albeit stilbene itself is not found in nature, polyhydroxylated stilbenoids (stilbenes and bibenzyls) have been isolated from several medicinal plants [1]. 

The work on stilbenoids was reviewed by Gorham in 1995 [4]. Herein, we review the recent progress in the studies of stilbenoids with respect to their structure, distribution, extraction and isolation, technologies used in structure identification, synthesis and biosynthesis, and the last but not the least, bioactivities. The coverage of the new structures is from 1994 (especially those that have not been covered by Gorham [4]) to June 2006 (the references in 2006 may not be collected thoroughly as some of them might have not been included in the databases yet). 

Many stilbene derivates (stilbenoids) are naturally present in plants. The most widely distributed stilbenoids are resveratrol, combretastatins, and pterostilbene. These agents are derived from terrestrial plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and animals [1,2]. This chapter is a brief review on diverse biological activities of stilbenes in cells, organs, and animals. 

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