Compound Monograph
Verbascoside
Verbascoside (acteoside) is a caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycoside found in many medicinal plants.
Classification
Verbascoside is a phenylethanoid glycoside, part of the phenolics class. Antioxidant compounds built around one or more phenol rings — the flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, coumarins, and pigments behind much of a plant's protective chemistry.
Where Does It Come From? (10)
Verbascoside is a naturally occurring phenylethanoid glycoside, found in Blue vervain, Mullein, Olive and 7 other sources. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Research & Evidence
Verbascoside, also known as acteoside, is a phenylethanoid glycoside built around caffeic acid and a sugar-linked hydroxytyrosol unit. It is widespread in the plant kingdom and is found in mullein, vervain, olive and many other species, where it is one of the more abundant phenolic constituents. It has been investigated extensively in preclinical work for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are commonly attributed to its catechol (dihydroxyphenyl) groups, though human clinical evidence is limited.
Toxicity & Safety
As a constituent of foods such as olives and of widely used herbs, verbascoside is generally regarded as having low toxicity at dietary levels. Comprehensive safety data for isolated, high-dose use are not well established.