Costunolide

The largest group of sesquiterpene lactones is germacranolides, which possess a 10,5-ring structure. Costunolide (CAS 553-21-9) is a naturally occurring monocarboxylic acid and a well-known sesquiterpene lactone in the germacranolides series. This colorless, crystalline compound was first isolated from Costus, which is the root of Saussurea costus. Various other plant species, including Magnolia grandiflora and Tanacetum parthenium, are sources of Costunolide. Structurally, Costunolide is a monocarboxylic acid whose bioactivity is mediated through its functional moiety, α-methylene-γ-lactone. This moiety reacts with the cysteine sulfhydryl group of various proteins, altering the balance of vital intracellular reduction-oxidation reactions. Costunolide has diverse therapeutic potential: preclinical studies reported that this compound possesses antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, bone remodeling, neuroprotective, hair growth promoting, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. Interestingly, Costunolide inhibited apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells, which potentially suggests this compound as a therapy for the management of Parkinson disease.