Biological Activities of Gedunin—A Limonoid from the Meliaceae Family
Teresa M. Braga, Lídia Rocha, Tsz Yan Chung, Rita Oliveira, Cláudia Pinho, Ana Isabel Oliveira, Joaquim Morgado, Agostinho Cruz
Abstract
Gedunin is an important limonoid present in several genera of the Meliaceae family, mainly in seeds. Several biological activities have been attributed to gedunin, including antibacterial, insecticidal, antimalarial, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. The discovery of gedunin as a heat shock protein (Hsp) inhibitor represented a very important landmark for its application as a biological therapeutic agent. The current study is a critical literature review based on the several biological activities so far described for gedunin, its therapeutic effect on some human diseases, and future directions of research for this natural compound.