Introduction

Thujaplicin was found in the essential oil of Thuja plicata don Thuopsis dolabrata sieb et zucc by Erdtman, Gripenbberg and Nozoe in the 1930¡¯s. The structure of this substance was determined to be isopropyl cycloheptatrienolones in 1948. The existence of this substance in nature was predicted in 1945 by Dewar of the U.K in connection with the chemical structure of colchicin, a plant alkaloid, but the actual existence was not verified until thujaplicins were discovered and characterized.

Thujaplicin has a very strong ability to inhibit the growth and resistance of most bacteria. It may be used to treat infections without any undesirable side effects or the generation of mutant resistant strains. Thujaplicin forms complex salts with metal ions such as Ca, Fe, Ni, Ag, Cu, Mn, Co, etc. These complex forms of salts are more stable.  

 

  Chemical structure


Thujaplicin calcium: substitute Ca or other metal ion for H


  Physical Properties of Thujaplicin and Thujaplicins salt

Alpha, Beta, Gamma -Thujaplicin, Thujaplicin Calcium
4-isopropyltropolone , 4-isopropyltropolone Calcium
2-hydroxy-4-isopropyl-2, 4, 6-cycloheptatrien-1-one Calcium
Hinokitiol, Calcium Hinokitiol
Molecular formula: C10H11O2 Ca
MW: 203.21 - thujaplicin calcium
MW:164.21 - thujaplicin C10H11O2

Melting point: 48-53¡É (56-62 ¡É)
Boiling point: 140¡É/10mmHg ( 150¡É)
Density: d20: 1.905 (1.906)
Refractive Index: n20= 1.606(1.608) *
Purity: 98% up
Solubility: 0.6g/l( water 20 ¡É) : easily soluble in EtOH, Ether, Benzen, etc.
Description: white to pale yellow crystal powder.


  Effects

¡Ü Natural anti-microbial
¡Ü Anti-fungi
¡Ü UV absorption
¡Ü Insect-repellant
¡Ü Collagenase
¡Ü Liposomnase
¡Ü Anti-melanogenic effects
¡Ü Inhibition of tyrosinase activity
¡Ü Whitening, astringent.
¡Ü Antinomicosis.