MOLECULE

Gamma-Muurolene

Gamma-Muurolene, also known as muurolene, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. Sesquiterpenoids are terpenes that contain 15 carbon atoms and are comprised of three isoprene units. The biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes is known to occur mainly through the mevalonic acid pathway (MVA), in the cytosol. However, recent studies have found evidence of pathway crosstalk with the methyl-eritritol-phosphate (MEP) pathway in the plastid (PMID: 19932496, 17710406). Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cyclic sesquiterpenes. FPP undergoes several cyclization reactions to yield a diverse number of cyclic arrangements. These are terpenes with three consecutive isoprene units. Gamma-muurolene is possibly neutral and it is one of the terpenes found in the essential oils of the different hemp variaties (DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59259-947-9_2). It was also identified in the essential oil of Artemisia pedemontana (Dwarf Wormwood) (1.6% relative to total volatile compounds) (DOI: 10.1016/S0305-1978(02)00082-0), the seed pod resin of Hymenaea courbaril (stinkingtoe) (DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.05.024), the essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum (clove basil) leaves (11.6% relative to total oil compounds) (PMID: 29578062), the essential oil from Cleome droserifolia (spider flower) (4.10% relative to the total oil components) (PMID: 30253077).