Biological Evaluation of Terrestrial and Marine Plant Originated Labdane Diterpenes (A Review)

Recent progress on studies of labdane diterpenoids is compiled. Seventy seven biologically active labdane diterpenes isolated from various higher plants, mosses, liverworts, algae, etc. are reported. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 – 77 were established using extensive spectroscopic techniques. The wide range of biological activities possessed by these diterpenoids suggests that thorough evaluation of some structure-activity relationships is overdue. In this review, data on the natural sources, isolation, structure and biological activities of labdane diterpenoids isolated from various plants are summarized.