TOXICITY OF SESQUITERPENE LACTONES

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (1) , 189-192
Abstract
The i.p. LD50 of 7 sesquiterpene lactones were determined (in mg/kg) [in rats]: mexicanin E [from Helenium microcephalum] (3.08 .+-. 0.10), helenalin [also from H. microcephalum] (9.86 .+-. 0.08), hymenoxon [from Hymenoxys odorata] (16.24 .+-. 0.10), psilotropin (112.25 .+-. 0.17), hymenoxon dimethyl ether (141.42 .+-. 0), tenulin [from Helenium amarum] (184.65 .+-. 0.06), and hymenolane [also from Hymenoxys odorata] (above 200). The toxicity of a sesquiterpene lactone depends on the number of alkylating centers such as cyclopentenone, .alpha.-methylene-.gamma.-lactone, or hemiacetal moieties in the molecule. [Some of the compounds have antitumor activity.].