Petasin is a natural
chemical compound
A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...
found in plants of the genus ''
Petasites
''Petasites'' is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, that are commonly referred to as butterburs and coltsfoots.[sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and often have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be cyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations. Biochemical modificat ...]
and is the
ester
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides a ...
of
petasol and
angelic acid
Angelic acid is a Carboxylic acid, monocarboxylic Saturated and unsaturated compounds, unsaturated organic acid, mostly found in the plants of the family Apiaceae. It is a volatile solid with a biting taste and pungent sour odor. It is the ''Cis†...
.
Petasin is believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the anti-inflammatory effects of
Common Butterbur (''Petasites hybridus'') extracts.
Recent study has proven that Petasin can inhibit the tumor growth and metastasis in cancer patients.
References
Sesquiterpenes
Carboxylate esters
{{ester-stub