The genus Yucca comprising of several species is dominant across the chaparrals, canyons and deserts of American South West and Mexico. This genus has long been a source of sustenance and drugs for the Native Americans. In the wake of revived interest in drug discovery from plant sources, this genus has been investigated and startling nutritive and therapeutic capacities have come forth. Apart from the functional food potential, antioxidant, antiinflammation, antiarthritic, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and hypocholesterolaemic properties have also been revealed. Steroidal saponins, resveratrol and yuccaols have been identified to be the active principles with myriad biological actions. To stimulate further research on this genus of multiple food and pharmaceutical uses, this updated review has been prepared with references extracted from MEDLINE database.

Two new apotirucallane triterpenoids, namely chisiamols G(1) and H(2), featuring a 21, 23-lactone, together with five known triterpenoids, were isolated from the twigs of Chisocheton paniculatus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Investigation of the culture of basidiomycete Polyporus ellisii led to the isolation of a novel compound 3β, 9α, 15α-trihydroxy-(22E, 24R)-10(5→4)-abeo-ergosta-6, 8(14), 22-trien-5-one(1) with a new 5/7/6/5 ring system of ergosterol skeleton. In addition, five new steroids, 5β, 6β-epoxy-3β, 7α, 9α-trihydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-8(14), 22-dien-15-one(2), 5β, 6β-epoxy-3β, 7α-dihydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-8(14), 22-dien-15-one(3), 5α, 6α-epoxy-3β, 9α, 15α-trihydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-8(14), 22-dien-7-one(4), 15α-acetoxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22-tetraen-3-one(5), 15β-methoxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22-tetraen-3-one(6), along with four known ergosterols(7-10), were obtained. All structures were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. New compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines, only compound 4 was found to exhibit a favorable cytotoxicity profile toward all tested tumor cell lines.

Three new sesquiterpene aryl esters, named 10-dehydroxy-melleoliede B(1), 1-O-formyl-10-dehydroxy-melleoliede B(2) and 10-oxo-melleoliede B(3) together with six known ones(4-9), were isolated from the cultures of Armillaria sp. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on the extensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 2, and 5-9 exhibited moderate cytotoxicities.

Four new indole alkaloids, plasiaticines A-D(1-4), together with two known ones, were isolated from the seeds of Plantago asiatica. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity, and all compounds except 4 were tested for their acetylcholinesterase(AChE) inhibitory activities.

The first total synthesis of(-)-huperzine W(1) has been achieved. Key element of the synthesis is a highly convergent assemblage for the two rings system of target molecule utilizing an efficient Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction between chiral iodide 2 and 2-allylpyrrolidinone 4. Evaluation of the AchE inhibition of synthetic huperzine W was also carried out.