Lactucopicrin (Intybin) is a bitter substance that has a sedative and analgesic effect,[1] acting on the central nervous system. It is a sesquiterpene lactone, and is a component of lactucarium, derived from the plant Lactuca virosa (wild lettuce), as well as being found in some related plants such as Cichorium intybus.[2] It is also found in dandelion coffee.
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Preferred IUPAC name
[(3aR,4S,9aS,9bR)-4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-3-methylidene-2,7-dioxo-2,3,3a,4,5,7,9a,9b-octahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-9-yl]methyl (4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate | |
Other names
Intybin
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Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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ChemSpider |
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MeSH | Intybin |
PubChem CID
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C23H22O7 | |
Molar mass | 410.422 g·mol−1 |
Pharmacology | |
Oral, Smoked | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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As well as their traditional use as sedatives and analgesics, these plants have also been used as antimalarials, and both lactucin and lactucopicrin have demonstrated antimalarial effects in vitro.[3] Lactucopicrin has also been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.[4]