Bis-bibenzyls, Bibenzyls, and Terpenoids in 33 Genera of the Marchantiophyta (Liverworts): Structures, Synthesis, and Bioactivity br

The Marchantiophyta (liverworts) are rich sources of phenolicsubstances, especially cyclic and acyclic bis-bibenzyls, which are rare naturalproducts in the plant kingdom, together with bibenzyls and characteristicterpenoids. At present, more than 125 bis-bibenzyls have been found in liverworts.They are biosynthesized from the dimerization of lunularic acid viadihydrocoumaric acid and prelunularin. The structurally unusual cyclic and acyclicbis-bibenzyls show various biological activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal,cytotoxic, muscle relaxation, antioxidant, tubulin polymerization inhibitory, and antitrypanosomal activities, among others. The present review article deals with thedistribution and structure of bis-bibenzyls, bibenzyls, and several characteristicent-sesqui- and diterpenoids in liverworts. Furthermore, the biosynthesis and total syntheses and biological activities of bis-bibenzyls are also surveyed