Natural Polyphenols: Biological Activity, Pharmacological Potential, Means of Metabolic Engineering (Review)

Abstract

This review examines the main features of natural phytoalexines of flavonoid and stilbenoid natures, which are secondary metabolism products in numerous plants widely used as biologically active substances in the medicine, pharmacology, and agricultural plants protection. We considered the role of flavonoids and stilbenes in phytoimmune and antistress responses in plants, bactericide antifungul, and antiviral effects towards microorganisms, and the wide medical application for a number of mammalian pathologies. The main achievements in the metabolic engineering of flavonoids in microbial biotechnologies are discussed.