ferruginol

Ferruginol is a natural product belonging to the abietane-type family of diterpenes. It is a phenolic diterpene commonly found in the resins and essential oils of several coniferous species, especially within the Cupressaceae. It has also been reported in a range of other plant taxa, illustrating a relatively wide distribution in nature. In plant chemistry, ferruginol is used as a chemotaxonomic marker because of its occurrence pattern in certain genera.

Ferruginol features the abietane diterpene skeleton and a phenolic moiety. It is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate through terpene cyclization and subsequent oxidation steps typical of diterpene biosynthesis.

In addition to its taxonomic significance, ferruginol serves as a valuable scaffold for the semi-synthesis of related diterpenoids. Researchers have prepared derivatives to study structure–activity relationships. In vitro investigations have reported various biological activities for ferruginol and related compounds, including antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects in certain assays. However, these results are preliminary, and there is no approved medical use.

Related compounds such as 12-hydroxyferruginol or ferruginol derivatives are commonly discussed in the literature.