Abstract: Farrerol is a representative natural 6,8-C-dimethyl-flavanone compound,and only distributed in some genus (family) plants,such as the genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae) and Miconia (Melastomataceae). It was discovered that the farrerol has a broad bioactive spectra,such as mucokinetic,anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, neuroprotective,immunosuppressed,and cardiovascular activities.However,these bioactivities were tested by using a pair of enantiomers (±) -farrerol or an enantiomeric excessive farrerol,rather than the R- or S-farrerol.Thus,this review covers the articles dealing with farrerol chemistry,especially its stereochemistry,and also summarizes its pharmacology,focusing on its targets and mechanisms of action,providing a solid basis for the future researches on the racemization,asymmetric synthesis,bioactivities,underlying mechanisms,and targets of actions of 2S and 2R-farrerol.

Key words: farrerol, chemistry, pharmacology, mechanisms of action, targets of action