# The Recent Progress of Tricyclic Aromadendrene-Type Sesquiterpenoids: Biological Activities and Biosynthesis

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the biological activities and recent advances in the biosynthesis of tricyclic aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenoids.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive summary of the biosynthesis progress and application prospects of aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenoids.

## Key findings

- Tricyclic aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenoids show anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cytotoxic properties.
- Viridiflorol synthase has been engineered for efficient viridiflorol biosynthesis in E. coli.
- Recent research has focused on modifying key STSs and optimizing synthetic pathways.

## Abstract

The tricyclic-aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes are widely distributed and exhibit a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal and cytotoxic properties. Several key sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) of this type have been identified, of which, viridiflorol synthase has been engineered for efficiently biosynthesizing viridiflorol in an Escherichia coli strain. This paper comprehensively summarizes the distribution and biological activity of aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes in plant essential oils and microorganisms. The progress in aromadendrene-type sesquiterpene biosynthesis research, including the modifications of key STSs and the optimization of synthetic pathways, is reviewed. Finally, the prospects and associated challenges for the application and biosynthesis of these natural products are also discussed.