Ricerc@Sapienza

An undescribed labdane-like diterpene with a rare spiro-β-lactone function was identified from the ethanol
extract of the male cones of the coniferous tree Wollemia nobilis. This spirolabdadienolide (IUPAC name: syn-ent-
8(17),13-labdadien-19,18-olid-15-oic acid methyl ester; trivial name: wollemolide), was isolated by means of
traditional and high performance chromatography techniques and structurally elucidated through NMR and MS.
In addition, six further known metabolites were evidenced in the extract. Wollemolide, which may be considered

In this review article, the phytochemistry of the species belonging to the Araucariaceae family is explored. Among these, in particular, it is given a wide overview on the phytochemical profile of Wollemia genus, for the first time. In addition to this, the ethnopharmacology and the general biological activities associated to the Araucariaceae species are singularly described. Lastly, the chemotaxonomy at the genus and family levels is described and detailed.