1891-29-8

ChEBI: An azulenofuran that is 3-methylidene-3,3a,4,5,9a,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-2,7-dione carrying additional hydroxy, methyl and hydroxymethyl substituents at positions 4, 6 and 9 respectively (the 3aR,4S,9 S,9bR-diastereomer). Found in chicory.

Lactucin, as lactucopicrin, is a sesquiterpene lactone contained in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

Lactucin is an anti-inflammatory agent. Lactucin induces cancer cell apoptosis. Lactucin also shows analgesic, anticancer and antimalarial activities[1][2][3][4].

[1] Dang T, et al. Sesquiterpenoids with diverse carbon skeletons from the roots of Cichorium glandulosum and their anti-inflammatory activities. Fitoterapia. 2019 Jul;136:104170. DOI:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104170
[2] Gromek D, et al. Biologically active preparations from Lactuca virosa L. Phytotherapy Research, 1992, 6(5): 285-287.
[3] Zhang F H, et al. Lactucin induces potent anti-cancer effects in HL-60 human leukemia cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology, 2016, 11(2): 478-484.
[4] Bischoff TA, et al. Antimalarial activity of lactucin and lactucopicrin: sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Cichorium intybus L. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):455-7. DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2004.06.031