Phytochemical review of Juncus L. genus (Fam. Juncaceae)

This review surveys the various naturally occurring compounds that have been isolated from different species of Juncus genus. This is the first review published on this topic. The present study furnishes an overview of all naturally isolated compounds, flavonoids, coumarines, terpenes, stilbenes, sterols, phenolic acids, carotenes, phenanthrenes derivatives (monomeric and dimeric) and biological activities of these species. These plants have often been used in traditional medicine, and also have therefore been studied for their antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-algal, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory, significant anti-eczematic and hepatoprotective activity. On the basis of 48 references, this review covers the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Juncus species, describing compounds previously reported. (C) 2012 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.