Polygodial is a sesquiterpene dialdehyde first isolated from Persicaria hydropiper (syn. Polygonum hydropiper) by Loder at
CSIRO, Australia in 1962. Polygodial is widely distributed, occurring in the roots, bark and leaves of several trees, in plants and liverworts, and, more surprisingly, in marine sponges and nudibranches. Polygodial has potent antibiotic, antifungal and insecticidal activity, and exhibits cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and glucocorticoid activities. It has been reported as a plant and insect growth regulator and also possesses anti-nociceptive effects mediated via inhibition of TRPV1.
