Abstract

LIGNANS- A CLASS OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS

Arvinder Kaur* and Sohan Singh

ABSTRACT

Lignans are largely present in angiosperms and gymnosperms. The scope of their structures and biological activities is wide. Several lignans are known to have anti-mitotic, antiviral and anti-tumor activity and to inhibit certain enzymes in particular. Some lignans have been shown to cause toxicity in fungi, insects, and vertebrates, as well as a variety of physiological activities. When lignan precursors are consumed, bacteria that ordinarily populate the human intestine convert them to enterolignans, enterodiol, and enterolactone.[40] Although enterodiol and enterolactone have low estrogenic activity, they have biological effects through mechanisms other than oestrogen. Plant-derived lignan forerunners of enterodiol and enterolactone are categorised as phytoestrogens because they can mimic some of the actions of estrogens. Lariciresinol, Pinoresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol, and other lignan precursors have been discovered in human diets.[41]

Keywords: Lignans, Phenylpropene, Heart diseases, Antioxidants, Health promotion.