Ranunculin, Protoanemonin, and Anemonin: Pharmacological and Chemical Perspectives.

Betelhem Sirak, Misgana Aragaw, Solomon Tadesse
Author Information
  1. Betelhem Sirak: Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia. ORCID
  2. Misgana Aragaw: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  3. Solomon Tadesse: Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, L. S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy, Kasiska Division of Health Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA. ORCID

Abstract

Ranunculin, a glucoside, serves as a chemotaxonomic marker in Ranunculaceae plants. When these plants are damaged, an enzyme β-glucosidase triggers the conversion of ranunculin into protoanemonin through hydrolysis. Subsequently, protoanemonin undergoes cyclodimerization to form anemonin. The inherent instability of ranunculin and the rapid dimerization of protoanemonin render them unsuitable for use in biological assays. Conversely, anemonin stands out as the optimal molecule for bioassays and demonstrates diverse biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, and anti-oxidant effects. Among these, anemonin exhibits the greatest promise in addressing arthritis, cerebral ischemia, and ulcerative colitis. Its potential medical uses are enhanced by its capacity to inhibit nitric oxide synthesis and successfully counteract lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. This review describes the chemistry and biological properties of anemonin and its precursors, including discussions on extraction, isolation, synthesis, and investigations into bioactivity and pharmacokinetics.

Keywords

References

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MeSH Term

Animals
Humans
Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Antioxidants
Furans
Methylglycosides

Chemicals

Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Antioxidants
ranunculin
protoanemonin
anemonin
Furans
Methylglycosides

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