Alantolactone is a defined organic compound recorded by PubChem as (+)-Alantolactone. Its molecular formula is C15H20O2, and its relative molecular mass is approximately 232.32 g/mol. Alantolactone is a sesquiterpene lactone that is 3a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-2-one bearing two methyl substituents at positions 5 and 8a as well as a methylidene substituent at position 3. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, an apoptosis inducer and a plant metabolite. It is a sesquiterpene lactone, a naphthofuran and an olefinic compound.
Its biological or pharmacological significance is governed by the specific molecular form and the interactions described above; dose, exposure route, formulation, and metabolism determine whether an observed effect is therapeutic, toxicological, or simply physicochemical. Major uses may include medicinal or biochemical research, analytical reference standards, impurity and stability testing, formulation studies, and regulated manufacturing where identity and purity are controlled.
