Menthofuran

Strong

Mechanism of Action

Menthofuran is the primary proximate hepatotoxic metabolite of pulegone. It undergoes further CYP-mediated oxidation to form a reactive gamma-ketoenal species that alkylates cellular macromolecules, particularly mitochondrial proteins. This triggers mitochondrial permeability transition, calcium dysregulation, and apoptotic/necrotic cell death in hepatocytes.

Research Notes

PennyroyalWestern

Thomassen et al. (Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 1992) demonstrated that menthofuran, not pulegone itself, is the primary hepatotoxic species using deuterium-labeled pulegone in rat microsomal preparations. Pre-treatment with CYP2E1 inhibitors (disulfiram) significantly reduced hepatotoxicity in animal models, confirming the bioactivation pathway. Menthofuran levels in pennyroyal oil range from 1–16% depending on chemotype and distillation.

Found In 1 Herb

Pennyroyal

Western

3D Molecular Structure

Furanoid monoterpene

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Menthofuran

Furanoid monoterpeneAromatic plant metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties

Representative pattern: C₁₀H₁₆O

Atoms

Carbon

Oxygen

Hydrogen

Live Research

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