Biological and pharmacological activity of lignans

Lignans are secondary plant metabolites consisting of two phenylpropane uni ts, Their antineoplastic, cardiovascular and antioxidant activities are dis cussed in the review. The podophyllotoxin derivatives etoposide and tenipos ide are used in medical practice as cytostatics. Enterolactone and enterodi ol were identified in serum and urine of mammalians. They are formed as met abolic products of intestinal microflora from plant precursors, acting in t he organism as phytoestrogens and probably preventing some types of cancer.