Names | |
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IUPAC name
4,9-Dimethoxy-7-methylfuro[3,2-g]chromen-5-one
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Other names
Amicardine; Corafurone; Methafrone; Kelourin; Rykellin; Visammin ; Ammispasmin; Ammivisnagen; Gynokhellan; Interkellin; Interkhellin; Amikellin; Ammipuran; Benecardin; Deltoside; Kelicorin; Khelangin; Khellamine; Khellanals; Khellinorm; Medekellin; Visammimix; Viscardan; Visnagalin; Kalangin; Kelincor
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Identifiers | |
82-02-0 | |
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
ChEMBL | ChEMBL44746 |
ChemSpider | 3696 |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.267 |
EC Number | 201-392-8 |
KEGG | C09010 |
MeSH | C438920 |
PubChem | 3828 |
UNII | 5G117T0TJZ |
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Properties | |
C14H12O5 | |
Molar mass | 260.25 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | colorless needle-shaped crystals |
Melting point | 154-155 C |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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what is ?) | (|
Infobox references | |
Khellin has been used as an herbal folk medicine, with use in the Mediterranean dating back to Ancient Egypt, to treat a variety of maladies including: renal colic, kidney stones, coronary disease, bronchial asthma, vitiligo, and psoriasis. It is a major constituent of the plant Ammi visnaga, also known as Bishop's Weed. Once purified, khellin exists as colorless, odorless, bitter-tasting needle-shaped crystals and is classified as a gamma-pyrone, a furanochromone derivative. In the early 20th century, researchers searched for khellin analogs with lower toxicity and better efficacy. A number of drugs were discovered through this research, such as amiodarone and cromolyn sodium, which are used in current medical practice.
Khellin is found in Egypt, the Middle East, and areas surrounding the Mediterranean. It is a major constituent of the plant Ammi Visnaga, existing between 0.3 and 1.2% in the leaves and seeds. Bishop's Weed is a name given to several species of plants; however, only Ammi Visnaga contains khellin. Khellin is rarely found in its pure form; instead it is found in Ammi Visnaga or "Khella" extract. As a result, many healing properties have been attributed to Khellin that are actually due to other constituents in the extract. Ammi Visnaga preparations are commercially available and very common; however, the amount of Khellin and other ingredients varies greatly between brands and even batches of the same brand. The extract is commonly found as a tea or in a pill form.
Therapeutic use is often not recommended, as the risks often outweigh the benefits. Regardless of this recommendation, Ammi Visnaga is still often used in the Middle East, Egypt, and surrounding areas. Unwanted side effects include dizziness, reversible cholestatic jaundice, pseudoallergic reaction, and elevated levels of liver enzymes (transaminases and gamma-glutamyltransferase).