Falcarinol CAS NO.21852-80-2

Falcarinol (carotatoxin) is a natural pesticide and fatty alcohol found in carrots (Daucus carota), red ginseng (Panax ginseng) and ivy. In carrots, it occurs in a concentration of approximately 2 mg/kg.^[1][2] As a toxin, it protects roots from fungal diseases, such as liquorice rot that causes black spots on the roots during storage.

Falcarinol (carotatoxin) is a natural pesticide and fatty alcohol found in carrots (Daucus carota), red ginseng (Panax ginseng) and ivy. In carrots, it occurs in a concentration of approximately 2 mg/kg.^[1][2] As a toxin, it protects roots from fungal diseases, such as liquorice rot that causes black spots on the roots during storage.

Chemistry

Falcarinol is a polyyne with two carbon-carbon triple bonds and two double bonds.^[3] Falcarinol can cause allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.^[4] It is structurally related to the oenanthotoxin and cicutoxin.

Biological effects

It was shown that falcarinol acts as a covalent cannabinoid receptor type 1 inverse agonist and blocks the effect of anandamide in keratinocytes, leading to pro-allergic effects in human skin.^[5]

Preliminary research in animal models suggest that falcarinol may have a protective effect against certain types of cancer. Laboratory rats fed a diet containing raw carrots or isolated falcarinol were a third less likely to develop full-scale tumors induced by azoxymethane than those in a control group.^[6]

Normal consumption of carrots doesn't cause any toxic effect in humans. However, when falcarinol is delivered in high doses to laboratory animals, it causes neurotoxical problems.^[7]