Cnicin

Cnicin
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name (3aR,4S,6E,10Z,11aR)-10-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-3-methylidene-2-oxo-2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,11a-octahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl (3R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylidenebutanoate
Identifiers
CAS Number	24394-09-0 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1257707 ;
ChemSpider	4444781 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.042.004
PubChem CID	5281435 ;
UNII	C998MWY30L ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90878518 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C20H26O7/c1-11-5-4-6-14(9-21)8-17-18(13(3)20(25)27-17)16(7-11)26-19(24)12(2)15(23)10-22/h5,8,15-18,21-23H,2-4,6-7,9-10H2,1H3/b11-5+,14-8-/t15-,16-,17+,18+/m0/s1 Key: ZTDFZLVUIVPZDU-QGNHJMHWSA-N ; InChI=1/C20H26O7/c1-11-5-4-6-14(9-21)8-17-18(13(3)20(25)27-17)16(7-11)26-19(24)12(2)15(23)10-22/h5,8,15-18,21-23H,2-4,6-7,9-10H2,1H3/b11-5+,14-8-/t15-,16-,17+,18+/m0/s1 Key: ZTDFZLVUIVPZDU-QGNHJMHWBP;
	SMILES O=C/1O[C@@H]2/C=C(/CC/C=C(/C[C@H](OC(=O)\C(=C)[C@@H](O)CO)[C@H]2C\1=C)C)CO;
Properties
Chemical formula	C20H26O7
Molar mass	378.421 g·mol−1
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Last updated August 11, 2025

Cnicin is a sesquiterpene lactone, esterified with a substituted acrylic acid, and belonging to the germacranolide class of natural products. It is mainly found in Cnicus (Centaurea--formerly Cnicus--benedictus L. ( Asteraceae )), and is present in spotted knapweed plants, where highest and lowest concentrations are found in the leaves (0.86-3.86% cnicin) and stems respectively.^[1]^[2] Cnicin is used as a bitter tonic and the bitterness value is approximately 1,500.

References

↑ Olson, B. E.; Kelsey, R. G. (1997). "Effect of Centaurea maculosa on sheep rumen microbial activity and mass in vitro". J. Chem. Ecol. 23 (4): 1131–1144. doi:10.1023/B:JOEC.0000006391.88098.12. S2CID 12499959.
↑ Providing Supplement, with or without PEG, to reduce the effects of cnicin and enhance grazing of spotted knapweed by sheep and cattle, Masters Thesis, M Cheeseman, Montana State University

External links

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[1] Olson, B. E.; Kelsey, R. G. (1997). "Effect of Centaurea maculosa on sheep rumen microbial activity and mass in vitro". J. Chem. Ecol. 23 (4): 1131–1144. doi:10.1023/B:JOEC.0000006391.88098.12. S2CID 12499959.

[2] Providing Supplement, with or without PEG, to reduce the effects of cnicin and enhance grazing of spotted knapweed by sheep and cattle, Masters Thesis, M Cheeseman, Montana State University

[1]

[2]

Names

Preferred IUPAC name (3aR,4S,6E,10Z,11aR)-10-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-3-methylidene-2-oxo-2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,11a-octahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl (3R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylidenebutanoate
Identifiers
CAS Number	24394-09-0 ^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1257707 ^N
ChemSpider	4444781 ^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.042.004
PubChem CID	5281435
UNII	C998MWY30L ^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90878518
InChI InChI=1S/C20H26O7/c1-11-5-4-6-14(9-21)8-17-18(13(3)20(25)27-17)16(7-11)26-19(24)12(2)15(23)10-22/h5,8,15-18,21-23H,2-4,6-7,9-10H2,1H3/b11-5+,14-8-/t15-,16-,17+,18+/m0/s1^Y Key: ZTDFZLVUIVPZDU-QGNHJMHWSA-N^Y InChI=1/C20H26O7/c1-11-5-4-6-14(9-21)8-17-18(13(3)20(25)27-17)16(7-11)26-19(24)12(2)15(23)10-22/h5,8,15-18,21-23H,2-4,6-7,9-10H2,1H3/b11-5+,14-8-/t15-,16-,17+,18+/m0/s1 Key: ZTDFZLVUIVPZDU-QGNHJMHWBP
SMILES O=C/1O[C@@H]2/C=C(/CC/C=C(/C[C@H](OC(=O)\C(=C)[C@@H](O)CO)[C@H]2C\1=C)C)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C₂₀H₂₆O₇
Molar mass	378.421 g·mol⁻¹
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is ^YN ?) Infobox references