Amyrin Explained

The amyrins are three closely related natural chemical compounds of the triterpene class. They are designated α-amyrin (ursane skeleton),^[1] β-amyrin (oleanane skeleton) ^[2] and δ-amyrin. Each is a pentacyclic triterpenol with the chemical formula C₃₀H₅₀O. They are widely distributed in nature and have been isolated from a variety of plant sources such as epicuticular wax. In plant biosynthesis, α-amyrin is the precursor of ursolic acid and β-amyrin is the precursor of oleanolic acid.^[3] All three amyrins occur in the surface wax of tomato fruit.^{[4] [5]} α-Amyrin is found in dandelion coffee.

A study demonstrated that α,β-amyrin exhibits long-lasting antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in 2 models of persistent nociception via activation of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and by inhibiting the production of cytokines and expression of NF-κB, CREB and cyclooxygenase 2.^[6]

Notes and References

1. 17473469 . 55 . 5 . Production of triterpene acids by cell suspension cultures of Olea europaea . Chem Pharm Bull . 784–8 . Saimaru . H . Orihara . Y . Tansakul . P . Kang . YH . Shibuya . M . Ebizuka . Y . 10.1248/cpb.55.784. 2007 . free .
2. 16962103 . 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.08.044 . 580 . 22 . Dammarenediol-II synthase, the first dedicated enzyme for ginsenoside biosynthesis, in Panax ginseng . FEBS Lett . 5143–9 . Tansakul . P . Shibuya . M . Kushiro . T . Ebizuka . Y. 2006 . 20731479 . free .
3. Babalola . Ibrahim T . Shode . Francis O . Ubiquitous Ursolic Acid: A Potential Pentacyclic Triterpene Natural Product . Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry . 2013 . 2 . 2 . 214–222 . 31 October 2022 . en . 2278-4136.
4. 5278499 . 28194155 . 10.3389/fpls.2017.00021 . 8 . Functional Characterization of CYP716 Family P450 Enzymes in Triterpenoid Biosynthesis in Tomato . Front Plant Sci . 21 . Yasumoto . S . Seki . H . Shimizu . Y . Fukushima . EO . Muranaka . T. 2017 . free .
5. European Food Research and Technology . 2004 . 219 . 487–491 . Stefan . Bauer . Erhard . Schulte . Hans-Peter . Thier . Composition of the surface wax from tomatoes II. Quantification of the components at the ripe red stage and during ripening . 10.1007/s00217-004-0944-z. 90472894 .
6. Simão da Silva. Kathryn A.B.. Paszcuk. Ana F.. Passos. Giselle F.. Silva. Eduardo S.. Bento. Allisson Freire. Meotti. Flavia C.. Calixto. João B.. August 2011. Activation of cannabinoid receptors by the pentacyclic triterpene α,β-amyrin inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic persistent pain in mice. Pain. ENGLISH. 152. 8. 1872–1887. 10.1016/j.pain.2011.04.005. 21620566. 23484784. 0304-3959.