Khellin
Encyclopedia
Khellin is a furanochromone
, an organic compound which is derivative of chromone (1,4-benzopyrone) and furan. It has lipophilic
properties and causes vasodilation
(widening of blood vessels). It is found in the plant Ammi visnaga
which has been used in Egyptian folk medicine
.
In Egypt, the plant "Khella" was used for renal colic
. The incidence of renal colic was due mostly to schistosomiasis
infections and stone
formation. The plant mixture had diuretic
properties that were seen to relieve renal colic in Egyptian folk medicine
. After the chemical compound
khellin was identified, people began to study its properties. It was found to relax the ureter
and coronary arteries.
It is not used as a systemic medication because it is difficult to absorb and causes a range of undesirable side effects such as dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal disorders and nausea. However, it has been used successfully to treat vitiligo
by topical application. In the early 20th century, researchers searched for khellin analogs with lower toxicity
and better efficacy
. A number of drugs were discovered through this research and amiodarone
and cromolyn sodium are khellin analogs used in current medical practice.
Furanochromone
A furanochromone is a type of coumarin, an organic phenolic compound. It is a derivative of chromone and furan.Furanochromones show strong interaction with DNA. Furanochromones can be produced in callus cultures of Ammi visnaga or in Pimpinella monoica....
, an organic compound which is derivative of chromone (1,4-benzopyrone) and furan. It has lipophilic
Lipophilic
Lipophilicity, , refers to the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats, oils, lipids, and non-polar solvents such as hexane or toluene. These non-polar solvents are themselves lipophilic — the axiom that like dissolves like generally holds true...
properties and causes vasodilation
Vasodilation
Vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, particularly in the large arteries, smaller arterioles and large veins. The process is essentially the opposite of vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels. When...
(widening of blood vessels). It is found in the plant Ammi visnaga
Ammi visnaga
Ammi visnaga is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by many common names, including bisnaga, toothpickweed, and khella. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it can be found throughout the world as an introduced species. This is an annual or biennial herb growing...
which has been used in Egyptian folk medicine
Folk medicine
-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies...
.
In Egypt, the plant "Khella" was used for renal colic
Renal colic
Renal colic is a type of abdominal pain commonly caused by kidney stones.-Presentation:The pain typically begins in the abdomen and often radiates to the hypochondrium or the groin. The pain is often colicky due to ureteric peristalsis, but may be constant...
. The incidence of renal colic was due mostly to schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of trematodes , a parasitic worm of the genus Schistosoma. Snails often act as an intermediary agent for the infectious diseases until a new human host is found...
infections and stone
Calculus (medicine)
A calculus is a stone that forms in an organ or duct of the body. Formation of calculi is known as lithiasis...
formation. The plant mixture had diuretic
Diuretic
A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way.- Medical uses :...
properties that were seen to relieve renal colic in Egyptian folk medicine
Folk medicine
-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies...
. After the chemical compound
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
khellin was identified, people began to study its properties. It was found to relax the ureter
Ureter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
and coronary arteries.
It is not used as a systemic medication because it is difficult to absorb and causes a range of undesirable side effects such as dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal disorders and nausea. However, it has been used successfully to treat vitiligo
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of sections of skin. It occurs when melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, die or are unable to function. The cause of vitiligo is unknown, but research suggests that it may arise from autoimmune, genetic, oxidative stress,...
by topical application. In the early 20th century, researchers searched for khellin analogs with lower toxicity
Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a substance can damage a living or non-living organisms. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the organism, such as a cell or an organ , such as the liver...
and better efficacy
Efficacy
Efficacy is the capacity to produce an effect. It has different specific meanings in different fields. In medicine, it is the ability of an intervention or drug to reproduce a desired effect in expert hands and under ideal circumstances.- Healthcare :...
. A number of drugs were discovered through this research and amiodarone
Amiodarone
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent used for various types of tachyarrhythmias , both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Discovered in 1961, it was not approved for use in the United States until 1985...
and cromolyn sodium are khellin analogs used in current medical practice.