Hydroxy alpha sanshool
Encyclopedia
Hydroxy-alpha sanshool is a bioactive component of plants from the Xanthoxylum genus, including the Sichuan pepper
. It is believed to be responsible for the numbing, tingling sensation (paresthesia
) caused by eating food cooked with Sichuan pepper
corns.
The molecular mechanisms by which hydroxy-alpha sanshool induces these sensations have been a matter of debate. Although the compound is an agonist at the pain-integrating cation channels TRPV1
and TRPA1
, newer evidence suggests that the two-pore domain potassium channel
s KCNK3
, KCNK9
, and KCNK18
are primarily responsible for hydroxy-alpha sanshool's effects.
The term sanshool in the compound's name is derived from the Japanese
term for the Sichuan pepper, (literally, Mountain Pepper), to which was appended the suffix -ol
, indicating a chemical alcohol
.
Sichuan Pepper
Sichuan pepper is the outer pod of the tiny fruit of a number of species in the genus Zanthoxylum , widely grown and consumed in Asia as a spice. Despite the name, it is not related to black pepper or to chili peppers...
. It is believed to be responsible for the numbing, tingling sensation (paresthesia
Paresthesia
Paresthesia , spelled "paraesthesia" in British English, is a sensation of tingling, burning, pricking, or numbness of a person's skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. It is more generally known as the feeling of "pins and needles" or of a limb "falling asleep"...
) caused by eating food cooked with Sichuan pepper
Sichuan Pepper
Sichuan pepper is the outer pod of the tiny fruit of a number of species in the genus Zanthoxylum , widely grown and consumed in Asia as a spice. Despite the name, it is not related to black pepper or to chili peppers...
corns.
The molecular mechanisms by which hydroxy-alpha sanshool induces these sensations have been a matter of debate. Although the compound is an agonist at the pain-integrating cation channels TRPV1
TRPV1
The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 ', also known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1, is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the TRPV1 gene...
and TRPA1
TRPA1
Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1, also known as TRPA1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the TRPA1 gene....
, newer evidence suggests that the two-pore domain potassium channel
Tandem pore domain potassium channel
The two-pore-domain potassium channel is a family of 15 members form what is known as "leak channels" which possess Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz rectification. These channels are regulated by several mechanisms including oxygen tension, pH, mechanical stretch, and G-proteins...
s KCNK3
KCNK3
Potassium channel subfamily K member 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNK3 gene.-Interactions:KCNK3 has been shown to interact with YWHAB and S100A10.- External links :...
, KCNK9
KCNK9
Potassium channel subfamily K member 9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNK9 gene.This gene encodes K2P9.1, one of the members of the superfamily of potassium channel proteins containing two pore-forming P domains. This open channel is highly expressed in the cerebellum...
, and KCNK18
KCNK18
Potassium channel subfamily K member 18 , also known as TWIK-related spinal cord potassium channel or K2P18.1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KCNK18 gene. K2P18.1 is a potassium channel containing two pore-forming P domains.A flaw in this gene could help trigger migraine headaches...
are primarily responsible for hydroxy-alpha sanshool's effects.
The term sanshool in the compound's name is derived from the Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
term for the Sichuan pepper, (literally, Mountain Pepper), to which was appended the suffix -ol
-ol
The suffix –ol is used in organic chemistry to form names of organic compounds containing the –OH group: see alcohol. It was extracted from the word alcohol....
, indicating a chemical alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
.
See also
- Sichuan pepperSichuan PepperSichuan pepper is the outer pod of the tiny fruit of a number of species in the genus Zanthoxylum , widely grown and consumed in Asia as a spice. Despite the name, it is not related to black pepper or to chili peppers...
- CapsaicinCapsaicinCapsaicin 2CHCH=CH4CONHCH2C6H3-4--3- ) is the active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum. It is an irritant for mammals, including humans, and produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact...
- the component of chili pepperChili pepperChili pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The term in British English and in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries is just chilli without pepper.Chili peppers originated in the Americas...
s responsible for their spicy heat