Chemical constituents and biological activities of South American Rhamnaceae

Secondary metabolites have diverse functions into plants. These functions are products of the coevolution which result in synthesis of constitutive and/or induced chemical defense generated for protection against to different phytopathogenic attack. Many phytochemical studies are biodirected with the aim of finding biopesticides of botanical origins. Some taxa of Americas such as Rhamnaceae family are toxic to insects, fungi and several bacteria strains, and these effects has been associated with the presence of alkaloids, phenolics and terpenes. The natural compounds that have been isolated represent a valuable resource for future studies of plant chemical defense and the role of these substances in chemical ecology. Here are show recent advances in the phytochemistry and biological activities of selected members of Rhamnaceae from Latin-America.