Shaza M Al-Massarani
Laurencia is an important marine red algal genus comprising of approximately 130 taxonomically accepted species. Compounds isolated from Laurencia species display a variety of biological activities, viz., antiviral, antibacterial, antifouling, antifungal, antioxidant, antifeedant, antimalarial, anthelmintic, antiasthmatic and cytotoxic activities. Sesquiterpenoids with, various classes and skeletons, are the main constituents of this genus. This review article has surveyed the relevant literature on Laurencia genus from January 2000 to May 2014 from the phytochemical and pharmacological viewpoints. All sesquiterpene compounds reported from this genus, during the mentioned period, are categorized according to their chemical class and general structural type. More than 200 sesquiterpenes isolated from Laurencia red algae are discussed in term of their structural type, occurrence and reported pharmacological activity.