diarylheptanoids

Diarylheptanoids are a class of natural products characterized by two aromatic rings (diaryl) connected by a seven-carbon chain (heptane). The aryl rings are often substituted with hydroxy and methoxy groups, and the central chain commonly contains conjugated carbonyl or enone functionalities, giving rise to a family of related compounds with diverse structures.

Most diarylheptanoids occur in plants of the Zingiberaceae family, particularly turmeric (Curcuma longa). The best known member is curcumin (diferuloylmethane), along with related compounds such as demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. In turmeric, diarylheptanoids contribute to the characteristic yellow pigment and are among the major natural products studied in this group.

Biological activities attributed to diarylheptanoids include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects, observed in various in vitro and in vivo studies. The bioactivity is linked to their conjugated systems and ability to interact with cellular signaling pathways, making them a focus of pharmacological and nutraceutical research. They have also been explored for potential therapeutic applications and as functional dyes.

Biosynthetically, diarylheptanoids arise in plants through polyketide-type assembly, often involving coupling of coumaroyl-CoA derivatives with malonyl-CoA followed by tailoring steps that yield the diarylheptanoid skeleton. The term covers a broader range of related structures found in different plant taxa, reflecting notable structural diversity alongside common diaryl–seven-carbon connectivity.