ABSTRACT
More than 200 lignans have been identified, and they have a widespread distribution in the plant kingdom, including many medicinal plants. They are found in many parts of the plant, especially in the wood, resin and bark of trees, and also in roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. There is evidence that lignans play a role in plant-plant, plant-insect, and plant-fungus interactions; but they have also been detected in primate blood and urine, so conceivably they may have roles to play in animals as well. In contrast both lignans murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and MCMV-infected cells reduces substantially the development of plaques when they are present during the period of virus adsorption, or when they are incubated continuously with the cells from the time of addition of virus. Many other lignans including some that have well-documented antitumor and other biological activities, were found to be devoid of antiviral activity.
