Product name: Damnacanthol
Synonym name:
Catalogue No.: BP5085
Cas No.: 477-83-8
Formula: C₁₆H₁₂O₅
Mol Weight: 284.267
Botanical Source:
Type of Compound: Quinones

Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle

Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.

The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams
Inquire for bulk scale.

For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.

Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃

Introduction/Overview

Natural products, as an important source of drug discovery, hold a significant position in new drug development due to their structural diversity and rich bioactivity. Damnacanthol is a natural compound isolated from the Rubiaceae plant Damnacanthus major, and has attracted widespread attention in recent years due to its unique pharmacological activity. Tiger thorn alcohol not only exhibits significant anti-15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) activity, but also effectively inhibits nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, research into the activity and targets of tiger thorn alcohol in anti-platelet aggregation provides a theoretical basis for its application in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. This article will systematically review the chemical structure, plant origin, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and clinical application prospects of tiger spinel, aiming to provide scientific reference for in-depth research and drug development of this natural product.

Chemical structure and physicochemical properties

The molecular formula of Tiger Thorn Alcohol is C18H16O4, with a molecular weight of 284.2670 and CAS number 477-83-8. Its structure belongs to the phenylpropanoid compounds, featuring typical aromatic rings and hydroxyl substituents, imparting certain polarity and biological activity. The LogP value of Tiger Thorn Alcohol is 2.0752, indicating moderate lipid solubility, which facilitates cell membrane penetration and distribution in vivo. The topological pole surface area (TPSA) is 83.83 Ų, indicating a good balance between membrane permeability and binding to biological targets. Its low water solubility (0.0956 mg/mL) suggests limited solubility in the body and may affect oral bioavailability. High blood-brain barrier permeability indicates that tiger thorn alcohol can enter the central nervous system and has potential neuroprotective or central effects. The hERG channel inhibition test was negative, indicating a low risk of cardiotoxicity. The Ames test result was 1.2, indicating a low genotoxicity risk and good safety.

The chemical structure of tiger thorn alcohol is shown in Figure 1 (the structural formula diagram should be inserted here). The hydroxyl and methoxy substituents on its benzene ring may be important determinants of its biological activity.

Plant Origins and Extraction Methods

Tiger thorn alcohol mainly comes from the Rubiaceae plant Damnacanthus major, which is widely distributed in East Asia and has traditionally been used to treat various inflammatory and blood-related diseases. The roots and stems of D. major are the main enrichment sites for tiger thorn alcohol. During extraction, ethanol or methanol is usually used as solvent, and crude extracts are obtained through reflux extraction or ultrasound-assisted extraction. The crude extract is purified by liquid-liquid partitioning, column chromatography (such as silica gel and C18 reversed phase column), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultimately separating high-purity tiger thorn alcohol.

In recent years, supercritical CO2 extraction and microwave-assisted extraction technologies have also been applied to the efficient extraction of tiger thorn alcohol, improving extraction efficiency and purity, reducing solvent usage, and aligning with green chemistry principles. The optimization of the extraction process not only improves the yield of tiger thorn alcohol but also lays the foundation for its industrial production.

Pharmacological activity research

Anti-inflammatory activity

Tiger thorn alcohol exhibits significant anti-15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) activity. 15-LOX is a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism, involved in the generation of inflammatory mediators, and its abnormal activity is associated with various inflammatory diseases. Tiger thorn alcohol exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting 15-LOX activity, reducing the production of inflammatory mediators. Additionally, Tiger Thorn Alcohol can significantly inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. As an important inflammatory mediator, its excessive production is closely linked to various inflammatory and immune diseases. This action suggests that tiger spinel may exert immune regulation by regulating the inflammatory response of macrophages.

Anti-platelet aggregation effect

Platelet aggregation is a key pathological process in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. In vitro experiments, Huci Alcohol has demonstrated anti-platelet aggregation activity and can effectively inhibit multiple platelet activation pathways. Related targets include cyclooxygenase 1 (PTGS1), cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2), integrin αIIb (ITGA2B), integrin β3 (ITGB3), platelet ADP receptor P2Y12 (P2RY12), platelet thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R), phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A), and platelet membrane glycoprotein GP1BA. By modulating these targets, Formosa can inhibit platelet activation and aggregation, reducing the risk of thrombosis.

Other potential activities

Although current research mainly focuses on anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet aggregation, and some preliminary studies suggest that tiger thorn alcohol may possess antioxidant, anti-tumor, and other biological activities, the related mechanisms remain unclear and require further systematic study.

Mechanism of action and molecular targets

The pharmacological effects of Huci Alcohol are mainly achieved through multi-target synergistic regulation. Its anti-15-LOX activity directly inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators in fatty acid metabolism, reduces the production of leukotrienes and peroxides, and alleviates inflammatory responses. The effects on macrophages may involve inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and decreasing NO production.

In terms of anti-platelet aggregation, Formosa Bol regulates PTGS1 and PTGS2, inhibits the formation of pro-aggregation prostaglandins H2 and thromboxane A2, and reduces platelet activation. Regulation of ITGA2B and ITGB3 affects the function of the platelet membrane integrin complex, blocking platelet-to-plate interactions. Inhibition of P2RY12 and P2Y12 receptors reduces ADP-mediated platelet activation signaling, while PDE3A regulation affects intracellular cAMP levels, further suppressing platelet aggregation. GP1BA serves as an important receptor for platelets binding to collagen exposed in vascular endothelium, and its regulation helps block the initial activation of platelets.

In summary, Huci Alcohol demonstrates complex and effective pharmacological activity through multi-target and multi-pathway synergistic effects.

Druggability evaluation and pharmacokinetics

The druggability parameters of Huci Alcohol indicate that it has good potential for drug development. The moderate molecular weight (284.27 Da) and LogP value (2.08) comply with the Lipinski rule, indicating good oral absorption properties. TPSA was 83.83 Ų, indicating a good balance in cell membrane penetration and target binding. Lower water solubility may limit its oral bioavailability, but it can be improved through formulation technology.

The high blood-brain barrier permeability of tiger spinel offers potential applications in central nervous system diseases. hERG inhibitory negative results reduced the risk of cardiotoxicity, while Ames assay results showed lower genotoxicity risk and better safety.

Currently, pharmacokinetic research on tiger thorn alcohol is limited. Preliminary data indicate it is widely distributed in the body, its metabolic pathways may involve hepatic enzyme systems, and its excretion is mainly via the kidneys. In the future, further in vivo pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies are needed to clarify its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) characteristics, providing a basis for clinical application.

Prospects and outlooks for clinical applications

Due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet aggregation activity, Tiger Thorn Alcohol has broad application prospects in cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, and immune regulation. Its anti-platelet aggregation effect makes it a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and related cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Its anti-inflammatory effects provide new treatment approaches for chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Additionally, the high blood-brain barrier permeability of tiger spinel suggests its potential application value in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, modern drug design technologies can be combined to optimize their structure, enhance activity and pharmacokinetic performance, and develop novel multi-target drugs.

However, clinical research on tiger thorn alcohol is still in its early stages and lacks systematic clinical trial data. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen preclinical and clinical studies on its pharmacodynamics, safety, and pharmacokinetics, clarify the dosage range and therapeutic window, and evaluate its potential for combination application with existing drugs.

Conclusion

As a natural product derived from Damnacanthus major, Tiger Thorn Alcohol demonstrates promising drug development potential due to its unique chemical structure and multi-target pharmacological activity. Its anti-15-lipoxygenase activity and inhibition of nitric oxide production in macrophages impart significant anti-inflammatory effects; At the same time, it modulates various platelet-aggregation-related targets, supporting its application value in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Druggability parameters indicate that tiger thorn alcohol has good drug properties and safety, especially its high blood-brain barrier permeability, which opens up potential applications in neurological diseases.

In the future, combining modern drug R&D technologies with multidisciplinary interdisciplinary research is expected to promote the translation of Huci Alcohol into clinical applications, enrich research achievements in the field of natural product pharmacology, and facilitate the development and application of novel natural drugs. Systematic and in-depth pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and clinical research will be key to realizing its clinical value. Research on Huci Alcohol not only expands pharmacological knowledge of natural products but also provides new ideas and strategies for the treatment of related diseases.