Arctiin
Encyclopedia
Arctiin is a lignan
found in many plants of the Asteraceae
family, particularly the Greater burdock
(Arctium lappa) and Centaurea imperialis
, and in Trachelospermum asiaticum
, Saussurea heteromalla
., and Forsythia viridissima
. It is the glucoside
of arctigenin
.
Arctiin and arctigenin have shown anticancer effects.
Lignan
The lignans are a group of chemical compounds found in plants. Lignans are one of the major classes of phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like chemicals and also act as antioxidants. The other classes of phytoestrogens are the isoflavones and coumestans...
found in many plants of the Asteraceae
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
family, particularly the Greater burdock
Greater burdock
Greater burdock, Edible burdock, or Lappa Burdock is a biennial plant of the Arctium genus in the Asteraceae family, cultivated in gardens for its root used as a vegetable.-Description:...
(Arctium lappa) and Centaurea imperialis
Centaurea
Centaurea is a genus of between 350 and 600 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich...
, and in Trachelospermum asiaticum
Trachelospermum
Trachelospermum is a genus of about 15 species of evergreen woody vines in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. All species are native to southern and eastern Asia except for T. difforme, which can be found in southeastern North America....
, Saussurea heteromalla
Saussurea
Saussurea is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to cool temperate and arctic regions of Asia, Europe, and North America, with the highest diversity in alpine habitats in the Himalaya and central Asia...
., and Forsythia viridissima
Forsythia
Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae . There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. The common name is also Forsythia; the genus is named after William Forsyth.-Growth:They are deciduous shrubs typically growing to a...
. It is the glucoside
Glucoside
A glucoside is a glycoside that is derived from glucose. Glucosides are common in plants, but rare in animals. Glucose is produced when a glucoside is hydrolysed by purely chemical means, or decomposed by fermentation or enzymes....
of arctigenin
Arctigenin
Arctigenin is a lignan found in certain plants of the Asteraceae, including the Greater burdock and Saussurea heteromalla. It has shown antiviral and anticancer effects. It is the aglycone of arctiin.- External links :...
.
Arctiin and arctigenin have shown anticancer effects.
External links
- Arctiin entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms