Illudin

Illudin

Diagram of the Illudin family of compounds

Illudin refers to a group of natural sesquiterpenes that are primarily found in certain species of mushrooms, notably those belonging to the genus Omphalotus. These compounds are known for their toxic properties and have been studied for their potential use in cancer treatment due to their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Chemical Structure

Illudins are characterized by their unique chemical structure, which includes a bicyclic framework. The most well-known members of this family are illudin S and illudin M. These compounds are structurally related to other sesquiterpenes but are distinguished by their reactive epoxide group, which is believed to be responsible for their biological activity.

Biological Activity

Illudins exhibit potent cytotoxic effects, which have been attributed to their ability to alkylate DNA. This property makes them of interest in the development of chemotherapy agents. However, their high toxicity also poses significant challenges in therapeutic applications.

Medical Research

Research into illudins has focused on modifying their structure to reduce toxicity while retaining anticancer activity. One such derivative, irofulven, has shown promise in clinical trials. Irofulven is a semisynthetic analog of illudin S and has been studied for its effectiveness against various types of cancer, including prostate cancer and ovarian cancer.

Toxicity

The toxicity of illudins is a major concern, as ingestion of mushrooms containing these compounds can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress and liver damage. The mechanism of toxicity is thought to involve the formation of DNA adducts, leading to cell death.

Related Pages

• Omphalotus
• Sesquiterpene
• Apoptosis
• Chemotherapy
• Irofulven