Skimmianine

Skimmianine (beta-fagarine)

Skimmianine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various species of the Rutaceae family, particularly in the genus Skimmia. It is known for its diverse range of biological activities and potential therapeutic applications.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Skimmianine is classified as a quinoline alkaloid. Its chemical structure consists of a quinoline core with methoxy groups attached at specific positions. The molecular formula of skimmianine is C14H13NO4.

Sources

Skimmianine is primarily extracted from plants belonging to the genus Skimmia, such as Skimmia japonica and Skimmia laureola. These plants are commonly found in regions of Asia and are known for their aromatic properties.

Biological Activities

Skimmianine exhibits a variety of biological activities, including:

• Antimicrobial: Effective against a range of bacterial and fungal pathogens.
• Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals and reduces oxidative stress.
• Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Anticancer: Shows potential in inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cell lines.

Potential Therapeutic Applications

Due to its diverse biological activities, skimmianine is being studied for potential therapeutic applications in treating conditions such as:

• Infectious diseases
• Inflammatory disorders
• Cancer

Safety and Toxicity

While skimmianine has shown promising biological activities, its safety and toxicity profile need to be thoroughly evaluated through clinical studies. Preliminary studies suggest that it may have low toxicity at therapeutic doses.

Related Pages

• Alkaloid
• Quinoline
• Rutaceae
• Skimmia
• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anticancer

External Links

‎