Compound Monograph
Lactucic acid
A bitter constituent of the milky latex (lactucarium) of wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa), grouped with its sedative sesquiterpene-lactone principles. Little independent pharmacological data exists for the isolated acid.
Classification
Lactucic acid is one of the sesquiterpene lactones, part of the terpenoids class. The largest class of plant compounds, built from five-carbon isoprene units — the essential-oil aromatics, resins, bitter principles, saponins, and plant sterols.
Where Does It Come From? (2)
Lactucic acid is one of the sesquiterpene lactones, found in Prickly lettuce and Wild Lettuce.
Prickly lettuce Wild Lettuce Lactuca virosa