Cnicin

Structural formula
General
Surname	Cnicin
other names	[(1 R , 2 S , 4 E , 8 Z , 10 S ) -8- (hydroxymethyl) -4-methyl-13-methylidene-12-oxy-11-oxabicyclo [8.3.0] trideca-4,8- dien-2-yl] (3 S ) -3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylidene-butanoate
Molecular formula	C 20 H 26 O 7
Brief description	colorless and odorless solid
External identifiers / databases
EC number	246-221-8
ECHA InfoCard	100.042.004
PubChem	5281435
Wikidata	Q5137363
properties
Molar mass	378,42 g · mol -1
Physical state	firmly
Melting point	142-143 ° C
solubility	little in water
safety instructions
GHS labeling of hazardous substances Caution
H and P phrases	H: 315-319-335
	P: 280-305 + 351 + 338-312
	As far as possible and customary, SI units are used. Unless otherwise noted, the data given apply to standard conditions .

Cnicine is an unsaturated sesquiterpene dihydroxylactone that is esterified with a substituted acrylic acid.

Occurrence

Cnicin belongs to the germacranolide group and is formed in higher concentrations in Benedictine herb ( Cnicus benedictus ) or in panicle knapweed ( Centaurea stoebe ).

Panicle knapweed ( Centaurea stoebe )

The highest and lowest concentrations are found in the leaves (0.86–3.86% cnicine) and in the trunk, respectively.

effect

The effect of the cnicin is used in the context of phytotherapy . As an effective ingredient in Benedictine herb, it stimulates gastric juice production and is effective against digestive problems. Benedictine herb is used in the form of tea infusions or alcoholic extracts .

toxicology

A high dose of cnicin has acute toxic effects in experiments with rats and mice. Furthermore, an overdose of Cnicin can lead to severe irritation in the throat, pharynx and esophagus. Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract up to nausea, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, accompanied by a fever, are possible.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Cnicin data sheet (PDF) from Carl Roth , accessed on May 7, 2018.

↑ ^a ^b University of Düsseldorf, Biology Didactics, Leaf Spices: Cnicin , accessed on December 29, 2013.

↑ M. Cheeseman: Providing Supplement, with or without PEG, to reduce the effects of cnicin and enhance grazing of spotted knapweed by sheep and cattle , Masters Thesis, Montana State University, 2006.

^ Association for Medicinal and Spice Plants SALUPLANTA eV Bernburg: Handbook of Medicinal and Spice Plant Cultivation. Volume 1, self-published, 2009, ISBN 978-3-935971-54-6 .

↑ Eberhard Nürnberg, Peter Surmann (Ed.): Hager's handbook of pharmaceutical practice. Volume 2, 5th edition. Springer, Berlin 1991, ISBN 3-540-61618-7 .

[roth-1] Cnicin data sheet (PDF) from Carl Roth , accessed on May 7, 2018.

[uniduessel-2] University of Düsseldorf, Biology Didactics, Leaf Spices: Cnicin , accessed on December 29, 2013.

[montana-3] M. Cheeseman: Providing Supplement, with or without PEG, to reduce the effects of cnicin and enhance grazing of spotted knapweed by sheep and cattle , Masters Thesis, Montana State University, 2006.

[Saluplanta-4] Association for Medicinal and Spice Plants SALUPLANTA eV Bernburg: Handbook of Medicinal and Spice Plant Cultivation. Volume 1, self-published, 2009, ISBN 978-3-935971-54-6 .

[hager-5] Eberhard Nürnberg, Peter Surmann (Ed.): Hager's handbook of pharmaceutical practice. Volume 2, 5th edition. Springer, Berlin 1991, ISBN 3-540-61618-7 .