Chemistry:Menthofuran

From HandWiki
Menthofuran
Menthofuran.svg
Names
IUPAC name
3,6-Dimethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
UNII
Properties
C10H14O
Molar mass 150.221 g·mol−1
Boiling point 208
Hazards
Flash point 86
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
Tracking categories (test):

Menthofuran is an organic compound found in a variety of essential oils including that of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). It is highly toxic and believed to be the primary toxin in pennyroyal responsible for its potentially fatal effects.[1] After ingestion of menthofuran, it is metabolically activated to chemically reactive intermediates that are hepatotoxic.[2]

Biosynthesis

Menthofuran is produced biosynthetically from pulegone by the enzyme menthofuran synthase.

Menthofuran synthase converts pulegone to menthofuran

Chemistry

Synthesis

Menthofuran can be synthesized from 5-methylcyclohexane-1,3-dione and allenyldimethylsulfonium bromide in two steps via a furannulation strategy consisting of enolate addition and rearrangement.[3]

Pharmacology

Menthofuran is a metabolite of pulegone. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have found the pulegone metabolite menthofuran to be an inhibitor of CYP2A6.[4][5][6][7]

Menthofuran may deplete glutathione levels, leaving hepatocytes vulnerable to free radical damage.[5]

References

  1. "Pennyroyal toxicity: measurement of toxic metabolite levels in two cases and review of the literature". Annals of Internal Medicine 124 (8): 726–34. April 1996. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-124-8-199604150-00004. PMID 8633832. 
  2. "Reactive intermediates in the oxidation of menthofuran by cytochromes P-450". Chemical Research in Toxicology 5 (1): 123–30. 1992. doi:10.1021/tx00025a021. PMID 1581528. 
  3. Mariko Aso; Sakamoto, Mizue; Urakawa, Narumi; Kanematsu, Ken (1990). "Furannulation strategy. An efficient synthesis of fused 3-methylfurans". Heterocycles 31 (6): 1003–6. doi:10.3987/com-90-5392. 
  4. Khojasteh-Bakh, S. C.; Koenigs, L. L.; Peter, R. M.; Trager, W. F.; Nelson, S. D. (July 1998). "(R)-(+)-Menthofuran is a potent, mechanism-based inactivator of human liver cytochrome P450 2A6". Drug Metabolism and Disposition 26 (7): 701–704. PMID 9660853. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Gordon, W. P.; Huitric, A. C.; Seth, C. L.; McClanahan, R. H.; Nelson, S. D. (February 26, 1989). "The metabolism of the abortifacient terpene, (R)-(+)-pulegone, to a proximate toxin, menthofuran". Drug Metabolism and Disposition 15 (5): 589–594. PMID 2891472. 
  6. Thomassen, D.; Pearson, P. G.; Slattery, J. T.; Nelson, S. D. (January 17, 1991). "Partial characterization of biliary metabolites of pulegone by tandem mass spectrometry. Detection of glucuronide, glutathione, and glutathionyl glucuronide conjugates.". Drug Metabolism and Disposition 19 (5): 997–104. PMID 1686249. 
  7. "Inhibition and inactivation of cytochrome P450 2A6 and cytochrome P450 2A13 by menthofuran, β-nicotyrine and menthol". Chemico-Biological Interactions 197 (2–3): 87–92. May 2012. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2012.03.009. PMID 22486895.