MOLECULE

(+)-Sativene

Sativene belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sesquiterpenoids. A sesquiterpene that is octahydro-1H-1,4-methanoindene bearing methyl, isopropyl and methylene substituents at positions 4, 7 and 8 respectively (the 1R,3aS,4R,7R,7aR-isomer). 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. Sativene is possibly neutral and it is one of the terpenes that are known to occur in cannabis plants (PMID: 25454145). It was also identified in the essential oil from Kyllinga erecta Schumach (navua sedge) (DOI: 10.1021/jf00026a027), Croton sonderianus (marmeleiro preto) (PMID: 15979097), Stachys aleurites (Lamb's Ear) (0.2% relative to total oil constituents) (DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2004.05.013), and the essential oil from fruits of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Brazilian pepper tree) (0.93% relative to total oil constituents) (PMID: 21729280).