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EntityQ387505· pop 14· linked from 163 articles

Also known as 6alpha,8beta-dihydroxy-4-oxoambrosa-2,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid 12,8-lactone, Helenalin A, (3aS)-3,3aalpha,4alpha,4a,7aalpha,8,9,9aalpha-octahydro-4-hydroxy-4abeta,8alpha-dimethyl-3-methyleneazuleno(6,5-b)-furan-2,5-dione

Helenalin, or (-)-4-Hydroxy-4a,8-dimethyl-3,3a,4a,7a,8,9,9a-octahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,5-dione, is a toxic sesquiterpene lactone which can be found in several plants such as Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis Helenalin is responsible for the toxicity of the Arnica spp. Although toxic, helenalin possesses some in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Helenalin can inhibit certain enzymes, such as 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene C4 synthase. For this reason the compound or its derivatives may have potential medical applications.

~7 min read

Encyclopedic overview

9 sections
Contents
  • Structure and reactivity
  • Chemical derivatives
  • Some biochemical effects of helenalin
  • Metabolism
  • ''In vitro'' anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects
  • Application
  • Toxicity
  • Pharmacology
  • References

Helenalin, or (-)-4-Hydroxy-4a,8-dimethyl-3,3a,4a,7a,8,9,9a-octahydroazuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,5-dione, is a toxic sesquiterpene lactone which can be found in several plants such as Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis Helenalin is responsible for the toxicity of the Arnica spp. Although toxic, helenalin possesses some in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Helenalin can inhibit certain enzymes, such as 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene C4 synthase. For this reason the compound or its derivatives may have potential medical applications.

== Structure and reactivity ==

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “helenalin” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.