Plectranthus (Lamiaceae), which-according to the latest systematic revision-includes three separate genera (Coleus, Plectranthus sensu stricto, and Equilabium), is a genus widely used in traditional medicine-mainly in the treatment of various ailments of the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and skin. Many species of Plectranthus s.l. have been shown to produce phenolic compounds and terpenes. Diterpenes, especially those of the abietane class, are the most studied group of secondary metabolites found in Plectranthus s.l., which is characterized by a significant structural diversity arising from the oxygenation and further rearrangement of the basic tricyclic abietane skeleton to a complete aromatization of the ring system. This review summarizes the known information on abietane diterpenes, showing their structures, sources, and biosynthesis. A classification of these compounds into nine groups, according to the arrangement of their ring C, is used. Royleanones, spirocoleons, and hydroquinones are the largest classes of abietane diterpenes, covering more than 70% of all the compounds reviewed.
Keywords: Plectranthus; abietane; coleon; diterpene; hydroquinone; lanugon; royleanone; spirocoleon.