molecules Review A Review on Phytochemicals of the Genus Maytenus and Their Bioactive Studies Yuan-Yuan Huang 1,2, Lu Chen 3, Guo-Xu Ma 4, Xu-Dong Xu 4, Xue-Gong Jia 1, Fu-Sheng Deng 1, Xue-Jian Li 1,* and Jing-Quan Yuan 1,2,* 1 Scientific Experimental Center of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China;
[email protected] (Y.-Y.H.);
[email protected] (X.-G.J.);
[email protected] (F.-S.D.) 2 School of Chemistry and Materials, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, China 3 Research Department of Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning 530023, China;
[email protected] 4 Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; mgxfl
[email protected] (G.-X.M.);
[email protected] (X.-D.X.) * Correspondence:
[email protected] (X.-J.L.);
[email protected] (J.-Q.Y.) Abstract: The genus Maytenus is a member of the Celastraceae family, of which several species have long been used in traditional medicine. Between 1976 and 2021, nearly 270 new compounds have been isolated and elucidated from the genus Maytenus. Among these, maytansine and its homologues are extremely rare in nature. Owing to its unique skeleton and remarkable bioactivities, maytansine has attracted many synthetic endeavors in order to construct its core structure. In this paper, the current status of the past 45 years of research on Maytenus, with respect to its chemical and biological activities are discussed. The chemical research includes its structural classification Citation: Huang, Y.-Y.; Chen, L.; into triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and alkaloids, along with several chemical synthesis methods Ma, G.-X.; Xu, X.-D.; Jia, X.-G.; of maytansine or maytansine fragments.