Chemical approaches towards synthesis of some naturally occurring iminosugars

Polyhydroxylated alkaloids are frequently found in living systems. More than hundred compounds have been isolated from plants and microorganisms. Besides their utility as powerful tools in fundamental studies of the catalytic mechanism of glycosidases and glycosyltransferases, many natural polyhydroxylated alkaloids represent potential therapeutic agents. Due to the fact that very few compounds are commercially available a tremendous effort has been made to establish valuable synthetic approaches. This report which is not intended to be exhaustive is aimed at highlighting the progress in the synthetic methods that have appeared in the literature the last seven years concerning elaboration of natural polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines, piperidines, pyrrolizidines and indolizidines.