Arctigenin
Encyclopedia
Arctigenin is a lignan
found in certain plants of the Asteraceae
, including the Greater burdock
(Arctium lappa) and Saussurea heteromalla
. It has shown antiviral
and anticancer effects. It is the aglycone
of arctiin
.
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 certain 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...
, including 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 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...
. It has shown antiviral
Antiviral drug
Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics for bacteria, specific antivirals are used for specific viruses...
and anticancer effects. It is the aglycone
Aglycone
An aglycone is the non-sugar compound remaining after replacement of the glycosyl group from a glycoside by a hydrogen atom. The spelling aglycon is sometimes encountered .Classes of phytochemicals found in the aglycone and glycosides forms :...
of arctiin
Arctiin
Arctiin is a lignan found in many plants of the Asteraceae family, particularly the Greater burdock and Centaurea imperialis, and in Trachelospermum asiaticum, Saussurea heteromalla., and Forsythia viridissima...
.
External links
- Arctigenin entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms