Thujone
Thujone
Thujone (/ˈθjuːdʒoʊn/) is a ketone and a monoterpene that occurs naturally in two stereoisomeric forms, known as α-thujone and β-thujone. It has a menthol odor. Thujone is found in a variety of plants including Artemisia absinthium, Thuja species, and Tanacetum vulgare.
Etymology
The term "Thujone" is derived from the genus name Thuja, which is a type of tree that contains the compound. The suffix "-one" signifies that it is a ketone.
Chemical Properties
Thujone is a GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor antagonist and can also bind to the receptor for THC (the active ingredient in cannabis). As such, it has been implicated in the psychoactive effects of absinthe, a liquor that contains a high concentration of the compound.
Medical Usage
In medicine, Thujone is used in homeopathy and aromatherapy due to its potential therapeutic properties. However, its usage is limited due to its potential toxicity and psychoactive properties.
Related Terms
- Absinthe: A distilled, highly alcoholic beverage. It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs.
- Ketone: An organic compound with the structure R2C=O, where R can be a variety of carbon-containing substituents.
- Monoterpene: A type of terpene that consists of two isoprene units and has the molecular formula C10H16.
- GABA: A naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in your brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Thujone
- Wikipedia's article - Thujone
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