Kaurenoic acid (''ent''-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid or kauren-19-oic acid) is a
diterpene
Diterpenes are a class of terpenes 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 a primary ...
with antibacterial activity against
Gram-positive bacteria
In bacteriology, gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test, which is traditionally used to quickly classify bacteria into two broad categories according to their type of cell wall.
The Gram stain ...
. However its low solubility and blood lytic activity on erythrocytes might make it a poor pharmaceutical candidate.
Kaurenoic acid also has uterine relaxant activity via calcium blockade and opening ATP-sensitive potassium channels.
Kaurenoic acid is found in several plants such as ''
Copaifera
''Copaifera'' is a genus of tropical plants in the legume family Fabaceae. It includes 40 species native to the tropical Americas (Nicaragua to northeastern Argentina), west and central tropical Africa, and Borneo.[Trypanosoma cruzi
''Trypanosoma cruzi'' is a species of parasitic euglenoids. Among the protozoa, the trypanosomes characteristically bore tissue in another organism and feed on blood (primarily) and also lymph. This behaviour causes disease or the likelihood ...]
''
and ''
Leishmania amazonensis
''Leishmania amazonensis'' is a parasite responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. This species has been known to spread by using sandflies
Sandfly or sand fly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking ...
''.
References
{{Authority control
Diterpenes
Tetracyclic compounds
Carboxylic acids