Category: Natural compounds

For centuries, various cultures have utilized the medicinal properties found in tree bark to alleviate pain and reduce fever. This historical practice is linked to the presence of compounds that the body can convert into salicylic acid, raising the question: what trees contain these valuable precursors?

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in hundreds of plant species and is even produced endogenously in the mammalian brain. For those asking, "What is natural DMT called?", the answer is its formal chemical name, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, though it also has several other common names and nicknames.

While synthetic opioid antagonists like naloxone are critical for reversing overdoses, a small but growing body of research identifies certain compounds in plants that exhibit properties similar to a natural opioid antagonist. These substances, often alkaloids, bind to opioid receptors in the brain to block or inhibit the activity of other opioids.

Derived from plants like sea buckthorn and ginkgo biloba, isorhamnetin is a flavonoid that has garnered significant scientific interest for its extensive range of pharmacological activities. Numerous studies explore the potential medical uses of isorhamnetin across various disease areas, from oncology to cardiovascular health.

Isolated in 1878 from the bark of the pomegranate tree (*Punica granatum*), Pelletierine is a piperidine alkaloid with a long history in traditional medicine [1.2.1]. So, **what is Pelletierine used for?** Its main application has been as an anthelmintic agent to treat parasitic worm infections, particularly tapeworms [1.2.2, 1.5.3].

Geniposide is a naturally sourced active ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects, extracted primarily from the fruit of *Gardenia jasminoides Ellis*. Research into what are the benefits of taking geniposide reveals it has significant potential in treating and improving various metabolic and neurological diseases.

Essential oils from the oregano plant can contain between 60% to 85% carvacrol, the potent compound behind many of its therapeutic effects. But **what is carvacrol?** It's a natural monoterpenoid phenol responsible for oregano's characteristic warm, pungent aroma and a host of pharmacological activities.

Xanthohumol is a prenylated flavonoid found almost exclusively in the female flowers of the hops plant (Humulus lupulus), a primary ingredient in beer brewing. In vitro studies and animal research have highlighted its diverse pharmacological properties, including significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Pure capsaicin registers a formidable 16,000,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) [1.2.1]. But what is the meaning of capsaicin beyond intense heat? This component of chili peppers is a powerful analgesic used in various medications to treat pain [1.4.2, 1.4.1].

Laminarin, a storage polysaccharide found in brown algae, can constitute up to 35% of the algae's dry weight, making it a highly abundant marine compound. Research has increasingly explored what is laminarin and its diverse biomedical applications, including its role as an antioxidant, immunomodulator, and potential anti-cancer agent.