Lactucopicrin
Encyclopedia
Lactucopicrin is a bitter substance that has a sedative
and analgesic
effect, acting on the central nervous system
. It is a sesquiterpene lactone
, and is a component of lactucarium
, derived from the plant Lactuca virosa
(wild lettuce), as well as being found in some related plants such as Cichorium intybus. As well as their traditional use as sedatives and analgesics, these plants have also been used as antimalarials
, and both lactucin and lactucopicrin have demonstrated antimalarial effects in vitro. Lactucopicrin has also been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
.
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
and analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
effect, acting on the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
. It is a sesquiterpene lactone
Sesquiterpene lactone
Sesquiterpene lactones are a class of chemical compounds; they are sesquiterpenoids and contain a lactone ring, hence the name....
, and is a component of lactucarium
Lactucarium
Lactucarium is the milky fluid secreted by several species of lettuce, especially Lactuca virosa, usually from the base of the stems. Lactucarium is known as lettuce opium because of its sedative and analgesic properties...
, derived from the plant Lactuca virosa
Lactuca virosa
Lactuca virosa is a plant in the Lactuca genus, ingested often for its mild psychotropic effects which are often described as being similar to that of opium. It is related to common lettuce Lactuca virosa is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus, ingested often for its mild psychotropic...
(wild lettuce), as well as being found in some related plants such as Cichorium intybus. As well as their traditional use as sedatives and analgesics, these plants have also been used as antimalarials
Antimalarial drug
Antimalarial medications, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Such drugs may be used for some or all of the following:* Treatment of malaria in individuals with suspected or confirmed infection...
, and both lactucin and lactucopicrin have demonstrated antimalarial effects in vitro. Lactucopicrin has also been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor or anti-cholinesterase is a chemical that inhibits the cholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine, increasing both the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.- Uses :Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:* Occur naturally as...
.
External links
- http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lettuce_opium.htm