Asteraceae helenium

Anaphalis, Arnica, Bakluina, Eupatorium, Gaillardia, Helenium spp., Inula helenium (Asteraceae)... 

Inula helenium [oil of elecampane], I. spp., Liatris cylindrica, Telekia speciosa (Asteraceae)... 

Hymenovin Inula helenium (Asteraceae) Hymenoxys richardsonii (Asteraceae) AC (at 100)... 

Alantolactone (eudesmanolide sesquiterpene lactone) Inula helenium I. spp. (Asteraceae) Insect antifeedant... 

INULIN Inulin is a polymer of D-fructose molecules (fructofuranose), which are linked to each other in fi-2.1 bonds. There is a terminal glucose molecule. Inulin occurs as a reserve food instead of starch in plants, mainly within the family Asteraceae for example Inula helenium L., Asteraceae. In the form of a 10% aqueous solution inulin is used in tests of kidney function (like mannitol). Inulin is not absorbed or metabolised. Since there is no reabsorption in the tubules, the rate of excretion is a measure of the function of the glomerulus (inulin clearance). 

C15H20O2, Mr 232.32, colorless crystals, mp. 82 °C, bp. 275 °C, [a] 3 +197° (CHCI3), almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether. The name of this tricyclic sesquiterpene lactone is derived from the Asteraceae ]nula helenium originally indigenous to Central Asia. H. was isolated for the first time from the essential oil of the roots (Inula oil). H. is also an older synonym for helenalin as well as the name for a metabolite from Penicillium funiculosum (ribonucleoprotein). Because of its a-methylene-y-lactone structure H. is a contact allergen. 

Konishi T, Shimada Y, Nagao T, Okabe H, Konoshima T (2002) Antiproliferative sesquiterpene lactones from the roots of Inula helenium. Biol Pharm Bull 25(10) 1370-1372 Konovalov DA, Nesterova TA (2003). Phytochemical study of some Caucasian species of Asteraceae and the possibility of their allergenic properties. Vestnik VGU. Seriya Khimiya. Biologiya. Farmatsiya (2) 205-207 (in Russian)... 

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