Lignans
Chemical, Biological and Clinical Properties

The volume surveys the chemical, biological and clinical properties of lignans.

David C. Ayres (Author), John D. Loike (Author)

9780521065436, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 June 2008

424 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.62 kg

"This is a comprehensive review of the chemistry and pharmocology of the 440 naturally occurring lignans, with some material on the semisynthetic derivatives etoposide and teniposide which find clinical use in cancer treatment. Given the importance and ubiquity of lignans as bioactive natural products, this is a reference work which a practicing chemist cannot afford to be without." International Journal of Pharmacology International Journal of Pharmacology

Lignans are widely occurring plant compounds and are closely related to lignin, which forms the woody component of trees and other plants. The lignans are characterized by their dimeric composition from cinnamic acids, and they are attracting increasing attention as a result of their pharmacological properties. The volume surveys the chemical, biological and clinical properties of lignans as well as providing information on their isolation, purification, identification and chemical synthesis. The volume also explores fully the potential use of these compounds as antiviral and antitumour agents, and thus provides a wide-ranging survey of their pharmacology and chemistry. The text is fully documented and referenced and provides the only up-to-date compilation on this subject. The volume is suitable for research scientists in the fields of organic chemistry, biochemistry, oncology, pharmacology, toxicology and botany.

Preface
Glossary
1. Introduction
2. A registry of the natural lignans
3. Biological and clinical properties of lignans
4. Etoposide and teniposide
5. Isolation, purification and initial characterisation
6. Determination of structure
7. Biosynthesis
8. Synthesis
References.

Subject Areas: Biochemistry [PSB], Pharmacology [MMG]