Sesquiterpene lactones – occurrence and biological properties. A review

Abstract

Sesquiterpene lactones are secondary metabolites commonly found in higher plants as well as mosses, lichens, and fungi. Currently, over 5000 of such compounds have been identified with a majority isolated from Asteraceae plants. They are characterised by different chemical structures associated with the presence of various carbon pathways and functional groups, which exert an impact on their pharmacological activity. These colourless substances are soluble in fats, alcohols, or water. They are often bitter ingredients regarded as bitter compounds. They are accumulated mainly in leaves, flower parts and seeds; less frequently, they are present in roots. Sesquiterpene lactones exhibit multidirectional biological activity: some of them have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, antiparasitic, antifungal, and bacteriostatic effects. Therefore, high hopes are placed on the medical and pharmaceutical use of these substances. Lactone compounds are also regarded as a potential source of new active substances used in agriculture to combat plant pathogens