Bioactive Compounds of Bryophytes: Unveiling Antimicrobial Properties and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Bryophytes, often considered less evolved than their vascular counterparts, have nonetheless developed an impressive array of chemical defenses that allow them to thrive on land. These ancient plants-close relatives of the earliest terrestrial species-possess remarkable pharmacological properties. Their phytochemistry includes a diverse range of bioactive compounds, such as lipids, proteins, steroids, organic acids, alcohols, terpenoids and polyphenols. Notably, substances derived from various bryophyte species are widely used in antitumor, antipyretic, insecticidal and antimicrobial applications. In this review, we explore the antifungal potential of three Bryophyta divisions: mosses (Musci), hornworts (Anthocerotae) and liverworts (Hepaticae). Compounds like riccardin C, riccardin D, marchantin E, Bis-Bibenzyl and marchantin A have shown promise in treating diverse diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, nervous disorders, H1N1 influenza and lung ailments