Ligstroside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ligstroside |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| IUPAC name | Methyl (4S,5E,6S)-5-ethylidene-4-[2-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethoxy]-2-oxoethyl]-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4H-pyran-3-carboxylate |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| PubChem | |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:149585 |
| SMILES | C/C=C/1\[C@@H](C(=CO[C@H]1O[C@H]2[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O2)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)OC)CC(=O)OCCC3=CC=C(C=C3)O |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 g mol-1 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Ligstroside is a special natural compound found in olive trees. It's part of a group of chemicals called phenolic compounds, which are known for being good for health. You can find Ligstroside in different types of olives.
This compound acts like a plant metabolite, meaning it's involved in the natural processes that help plants grow and stay healthy. Scientists are also studying Ligstroside because it might have properties that help the body stay healthy and fight certain illnesses. It's quite similar to another compound called oleuropein, which is also found in olives, but they have a small difference in their chemical structure.
Contents
What is Ligstroside?
Ligstroside is a type of chemical compound that naturally occurs in plants. It belongs to a family of compounds called phenylethanoids. These compounds are often found in plants and have unique structures.
Where Does Ligstroside Come From?
The main source of Ligstroside is the olive tree. It's present in the leaves, fruits, and even the oil produced from olives. Different types, or cultivars, of olive trees can have varying amounts of this compound. This is why some olive oils might have more of it than others.
How Does Ligstroside Help Plants?
In plants, Ligstroside plays a role as a plant metabolite. This means it's part of the plant's everyday life. It helps the plant grow, protect itself, and carry out important functions. Think of it like a building block or a helper molecule for the plant's health.
Ligstroside and Your Health
Scientists are very interested in Ligstroside because of its potential health benefits. Research suggests it might have properties that support human health.
How is it Being Studied?
One area of study is its role as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your body's cells from damage. This damage can be caused by things called free radicals, which are unstable molecules. By fighting these free radicals, Ligstroside might help keep your cells healthy.
What Else Can Ligstroside Do?
Ligstroside is also being researched for its potential to help with inflammation. Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection, but too much of it can be harmful. Compounds like Ligstroside are being looked at for their ability to help manage this process.
It's also considered a type of phytoestrogen. These are plant compounds that can act a bit like the hormone estrogen in the human body. This area is still being explored by scientists.
Ligstroside vs. Oleuropein
Ligstroside is often compared to oleuropein, another well-known compound found in olives. They are very similar in their chemical makeup. The main difference is that Ligstroside has one less hydroxyl group (a specific part of its chemical structure) than oleuropein. Despite this small difference, both compounds are important for the health benefits associated with olives.
