ChEBI: (+)-lariciresinol is a lignan that is tetrahydrofuran substituted at positions 2, 3 and 4 by 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl, hydroxymethyl and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl groups respectively (the 2S,3R,4R-diastereomer). It has a role as an antifungal agent and a plant metabolite. It is a member of oxolanes, a member of phenols, a lignan, a primary alcohol and an aromatic ether. It is an enantiomer of a (-)-lariciresinol.
Lariciresinol is a potent dietary antioxidant and a radical scavenger by potentially chelating catalytic Fe2+ ions. It exerts antimicrobial effects against foodborne pathogens S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7. Lariciresinol is an effective anticancer agent th at inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human HepG2 cells in vitro. It also displays anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects in vitro and in vivo studies respectively.
