Natural dibenzo-alpha-pyrones are an important group of metabolites derived from fungi, mycobionts, plants and animal feces. They exhibit a variety of biological activities such as toxicity on human and animals, phytotoxicity as well as cytotoxic, antioxidant, antiallergic, antimicrobial, antinematodal, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties. Dibenzo-alpha-pyrones are biosynthesized via the polyketide pathway in microorganisms or metabolized from plant-derived ellagitannins and ellagic acid by intestinal bacteria. At least 53 dibenzo-alpha-pyrones have been reported in the past few decades. This mini-review aims to briefly summarize the occurrence, biosynthesis, biotransformation, as well as their biological activities and functions. Some considerations related to synthesis, production and applications of dibenzo-alpha-pyrones are also discussed.
        
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Mao Z, Sun W, Fu L, Luo H, Lai D, Zhou L (2014) Natural Dibenzo-alpha-Pyrones and Their Bioactivities Molecules19: 5088-108
Mao Z, Sun W, Fu L, Luo H, Lai D, Zhou L (2014) Molecules19: 5088-108