Lactucopicrin (Intybin) is a bitter substance that has a

sedative A sedative or tranquilliser is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or Psychomotor agitation, excitement. They are central nervous system (CNS) Depressant, depressants and interact with brain activity, causing its decelera ...

and analgesic effect, acting on the

central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain, spinal cord and retina. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity o ...

. It is a sesquiterpene lactone, and is a component of

lactucarium Lactucarium is the milky fluid secreted by several species of lettuce, especially ''Lactuca virosa'', usually from the base of the stems. It is known as lettuce opium because of its sedative and analgesic properties. It has also been reported ...

, derived from the plant ''

Lactuca virosa ''Lactuca virosa'' is a plant in the ''Lactuca'' (lettuce) genus, often ingested for its mild analgesic and sedative effects. It is related to common lettuce (''Lactuca sativa, L. sativa''), and is often called wild lettuce, bitter lettuce, lait ...

'' (wild lettuce), as well as being found in some related plants such as '' Cichorium intybus''. It is also found in dandelion coffee. As well as their traditional use as sedatives and analgesics, these plants have also been used as antimalarials, and both lactucin and lactucopicrin have demonstrated antimalarial effects ''in vitro''. Lactucopicrin has also been shown to act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

References

{{Acetylcholine metabolism and transport modulators Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Sesquiterpene lactones 4-Hydroxyphenyl compounds Enones Lactones Azulenofurans Acetate esters Cyclopentenes Vinylidene compounds

See also

References