天然木脂素是一类由2分子苯丙素衍生物氧化聚合而成的植物次级代谢产物，具有抗肿瘤、抗炎、抗病毒、抗氧化和保肝等多种药理活性。随着系统生物学的发展，木脂素的生物合成途径正逐步被解析，应用代谢工程和合成生物学合成木脂素及其衍生物已成为研究热点。综述了木脂素生物合成及其工程改造的国内外研究进展，为含木脂素类中药的研究与开发提供参考。

Natural lignans are a kind of plant secondary metabolites derived from the process of the oxidative polymerization of two molecules phenylpropanoids. Natural lignans have many pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-virus, anti-oxidation, and liver protection. Using the methods of systems biology, biosynthetic pathways of lignans have been elucidated so far. By modifying the genetic expression of plants or microorganisms through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, the synthesis of lignans and their derivatives have become more and more popular. The research progress in biosynthesis and engineering modification of lignans both in China and abroad is reviewed and discussed in this paper, with the purpose of throwing light upon the research and development of Chinese materia medica with lignans ingredients.

国家重点基础研究发展计划（“973”计划）项目（2011CBA00800）；国家高技术发展计划（“863”计划）项目（2012AA02A701）；国家自然科学基金资助项目（31570087）；天津市应用基础与前沿技术研究计划（13JCZDJC27600）