Helenin
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helenin is a phytochemical mixture found in many plant species, including the Inula helenium (elecampane) of the family Asteraceae. It is a mixture of two isomeric sesquiterpene lactones, alantolactone and isoalantolactone.
Alantolactone | |
Isoalantolactone | |
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| IUPAC names
Alantolactone: (3aR,5S,8aR,9aR)-5,8a-Dimethyl-3-methylene-3a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-2(3H)-one Isoalantolactone: (3aR,4aS,8aR,9aR)-8a-Methyl-3,5-bis(methylene)decahydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-2(3H)-one | |
| Other names
Elecampane camphor, Inula camphor, Alant camphor | |
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| Properties | |
| C15H20O2 | |
| Molar mass | 232.323 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Crystalline powder |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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In 1895 the German scientists Julius Bredt and Wilhelm Posh extracted helenin from Inula helenium and determined its physical and chemical properties.[1]
Natural sources
Properties
Helenin can be extracted from the roots of Inula helenium using alcohol or other non-polar solvents to produce a mixture with a composition of about 40% alantolactone and 60% isoalantolactone.[4]
Biological activity
Alantolactone has a variety of in vitro biochemical properties, including:
Toxicity
Certain individuals have experienced contact dermatitis when exposed to alantolactone.[10]

