The isolation, biosynthesis, biological profiles and synthesis of the pterocarpans, pterocarpenes and coumestans: isoflavone derivatives with pharmacological utility

Abstract

Covering the literature up to December 2025

The pterocarpans, pterocarpenes and coumestans are closely related, plant-derived secondary metabolites that display a diverse range of biological effects. As such they are attracting increasing attention as potential leads in the development of new therapeutic agents and as targets for chemical synthesis. This review, which covers all three structural classes in an integrated way, outlines some of the more recent and pertinent developments in this particularly active area of natural products research.