Recent Studies on the Zoopharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Neurotoxicology of Sesquiterpene Lactones*

Mario Robles; Manuel Aregullin; Jan West; Eloy Rodriguez

doi:10.1055/s-2006-958055

Planta Medica, Table of Contents

Planta Med 1995; 61(3): 199-203
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-958055

Review

Recent Studies on the Zoopharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Neurotoxicology of Sesquiterpene Lactones*

Mario Robles¹ , Manuel Aregullin² , Jan West¹ , Eloy Rodriguez²

¹Phytochemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92717, U.S.A.
²L. H. Bailey Hortorium, Division of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2703, U.S.A.

* Plenary Lecture presented at the 41st Annual Congress, Society for Medicinal Plant Research, Düsseldorf, Germany, September 1993.

Abstract

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Abstract

Aspects of recent research on the biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones (SQLs) are presented. Several SQLs have been identified as important constituents of plants consumed by animals for presumed medicinal value and is a focus of research in zoopharmacognosy. Recent in vivo antitumor studies with parthenin and eupatoriopicrin are discussed as well as the reports of the antiulcer activity of dehydroleucodin. Helenalin has recently been reported to have cardiotonic activity. Research on the neurotoxicity of repin, a compound reported to cause a Parkinson's-like disease in horses, is also highlighted.

key words

Sesquiterpene lactones - zoopharmacognosy - neurotoxins - antiulcer - antitumor - cardiotonic - eupatoriopierin - dehydroleucodin - parthenin - repin

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