Argopsin, also known as 1-chloropannarin, is a

secondary metabolite Secondary metabolites, also called specialised metabolites, toxins, secondary products, or natural products, are organic compounds produced by any lifeform, e.g. bacteria, fungi, animals, or plants, which are not directly involved in the no ...

produced by many lichen species, such as ''Biatora cuprea'' and ''Micarea lignaria''. Argopsin was first isolated from the lichen ''Argopsis friesiana''. The chemical composition of argopsin is 2,7-Dichloro-3-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,6,9-trimethyl-11-oxo-11H-dibenzo ,e1,4]dioxepin-4-carbaldehyde.

Uses

Argopsin can have photohemolytic effect when activated under Ultraviolet, ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 366 nm. Argopsin has been shown to have ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in biology and ...

'' effect on ''

Leishmania ''Leishmania'' is a parasitic protozoan, a single-celled organism of the genus '' Leishmania'' that are responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. They are spread by sandflies of the genus ''Phlebotomus'' in the Old World, and of the genus '' ...

'' at a concentration of 50 µg/ml.

References

{{Reflist Secondary metabolites Lichen products Chloroarenes Heterocyclic compounds with 3 rings Lactones Cyclic ethers Methoxy compounds