Hypericin is one of the most important phenanthoperylene quinones extracted mainly from plants of the genus Hypericum belonging to the sections Euhypericum and Campylosporus of Keller's classification. Widespread attention to the antiviral and anti-tumor properties of hypericin has spurred investigations of the chemical synthesis and biosynthesis of this unique compound. However, the synthetic strategies are challenging for organic and biological chemists. In this review, specific significant advances in total synthesis, semi-synthesis, and biosynthesis in the past decades are summarized.
Hypericin, a secondary metabolite first reported in 1830, is a natural photosensitizing naphtodianthrone and is mainly from the natural plant sources of genus Hypericum. Hypericin exhibits a wide variety of biological and pharmacological activities, such as antiviral, antidepressant, antitumor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. Hypericin can also be utilized in photodynamic diagnosis. Accumulating evidence is pointing to the effects of hypericin with potential pharmaceutical and clinical interests in the past decades. The present review gives a comprehensive outline of the chemistry, botanical occurrence and biological activities of this powerful compound.
