Labdane is a natural bicyclic

diterpene Diterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of four isoprene units, often with the molecular formula C20H32. They are biosynthesized by plants, animals and fungi via the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate being ...

. It forms the structural core for a wide variety of

natural product A natural product is a natural compound or substance produced by a living organism—that is, found in nature. In the broadest sense, natural products include any substance produced by life. Natural products can also be prepared by chemical sy ...

s collectively known as ''labdanes'' or ''labdane diterpenes''. The labdanes were so named because the first members of the class were originally obtained from

labdanum Labdanum, also called ladanum, ladan, or ladanon, is a sticky brown resin obtained from the shrubs ''Cistus ladanifer'' (western Mediterranean) and '' Cistus creticus'' (eastern Mediterranean), species of rockrose. It was historically used in he ...

, a resin derived from the

gum rockrose ''Cistus ladanifer'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae. It is native to the western Mediterranean region. Common names include gum rockrose, labdanum, common gum cistus, and brown-eyed rockrose. Description It is a shrub ...

. A variety of biological activities have been determined for labdane diterpenes including antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Example labdane derivatives

Forskolin Forskolin (coleonol) is a labdane diterpene produced by the plant '' Coleus barbatus'' (Blue Spur Flower). Other names include pashanabhedi, Indian coleus, makandi, HL-362, mao hou qiao rui hua. As with other members of the large diterpene class o ...

Galanolactone Galanolactone is a diterpenoid lactone first isolated from ginger. It is present in acetone extracts of ginger, and appears to be an antagonist at 5-HT3 receptors Receptor may refer to: * Sensory receptor, in physiology, any structure which, ...

Isocupressic acid Isocupressic acid is a diterpene acid present in a variety of conifer needles. It induces abortion in cattle. It is found in all parts of the ponderosa pine (''Pinus ponderosa''), especially the needles. This gives its toxic and abortifacient e ...

- is an abortifacient component of ''

Cupressus macrocarpa ''Hesperocyparis macrocarpa'' is a coniferous tree. It is commonly known as the Monterey cypress and is one of several species of cypress trees endemic to California. The Monterey cypress is found naturally only on the Central Coast of Califor ...

''. * Medigenin *

Sclareol Sclareol is a fragrant chemical compound found in ''Salvia sclarea'', from which it derives its name. It is classified as a bicyclic diterpene alcohol. It is an amber colored solid with a sweet, balsamic scent. Sclareol is also able to kill hum ...

Stemodene Stemodene is a labdane-related diterpene whose corresponding terpene synthase has been discovered in rice and subsequently cloned and functionally characterized. The gene responsible for stemodene production has not been found in the completed ri ...

References

{{reflist Diterpenes Decalins

Example labdane derivatives

See also

References