Lignified materials as a potential medicinal resource. IV. Dehydrogenation polymers of some phenylpropenoids and their capacity to stimulate polymorphonuclear cell iodination.

Based on our recent finding regarding diverse biological activities of natural lignified materials, synthetic dehydrogenation homo- and copolymers were prepared using 3 p-hydroxylated cinnamic acids and coniferyl alcohol in order to explore the role of lignin skeleton in the activities displayed by natural lignins. The synthetic polymers stimulated polymorphonuclear cell iodination as potently as the natural lignified materials.