Tinosporide is a chemical compound classified as a

diterpenoid Diterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of four isoprene units, often with the molecular formula C20H32. They are biosynthesized by plants, animals and fungi via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate being ...

and a

furanolactone A furanolactone is a heterocyclic chemical compound that contains both a lactone and a furan ring structure. Examples include: * The salvinorins, including the hallucinogenic compound salvinorin A * Columbin, a bitter diterpenoid from '' Calumb ...

. It was first isolated from the plant ''

Tinospora cordifolia ''Tinospora cordifolia'' (common names gurjo, heart-leaved moonseed, guduchi or giloy) is a herbaceous vine of the family Menispermaceae indigenous to tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent. It has been used in Ayurveda to treat various diso ...

'', from which it derives its name. It has since been found in other plants of the genus ''

Tinospora ''Tinospora'' is a genus of succulent woody climbing shrubs. Thirty-four species are currently recognized. Species generally send down long aerial roots from host trees. They have corky or papery bark. They are found in tropical and sub-tropical ...

'', such as ''

Tinospora glabra ''Tinospora'' is a genus of succulent woody climbing shrubs. Thirty-four species are currently recognized. Species generally send down long aerial roots from host trees. They have corky or papery bark. They are found in tropical and sub-tropical ...

''. Because ''

'' has been used in traditional herbal medicine, there has been research directed at exploring the potential pharmacology of tinosporide and related compounds.

Related compounds

Other diterpenoid furanolactones with a similar structure include columbin, palmarin, and chasmanthin. File:columbin.svg, Columbin File:palmarin.svg, Palmarin File:chasmanthin.svg, Chasmanthin

External links

Furans Lactones Diterpenoids Heterocyclic compounds with 5 rings Epoxides {{organic-compound-stub