--- the other 200 posts --- 'Tis the season to discuss phytochemicals. Plants produce a vast array of organic chemicals starting from molecules produced by all organisms, including humans. Essentially all of these phytochemicals are potent adaptations to kill. Phytochemicals kill plant pathogens, bacteria and fungi, as well as insects. Thus, the natural, plant extracts that humans use for flavor enhancers (herbs, spices, and teas), fragrances, recreational/medicinal mind and attitude modifiers (alkaloids, psychopharmaceuticals, etc.), herbal medicines, etc. are present in plants, first and foremost, as antibiotics and insecticides. Humans have evolved to taste (bitter) and smell phytochemicals to avoid their toxicity, and have adapted culturally to exploit the impact of phytochemicals on body and mind. In this seasonal post, I focus on the terpenoids in Frankincense and Myrrh, to explore how plant biochemistry contributed to the gifts of the Magi.
It All Starts with Central Metabolism
The major thesis here is that carbon dioxide is converted by photosynthesis into either sugars used to build the cell wall polysaccharides (soluble fiber) or larger toxic defensive chemicals, e.g. phytoalexins, resins, essential oils or lignin. Phytoalexins, e.g. the natural antibiotic resveratrol in wine, are made from phenylalanine along the same biochemical pathway used to produce lignin. Glyphosate, the herbicide, kills by blocking this unique plant pathway. Essential oils and resins are another group of natural antibiotics produced by converting acetyl CoA into a five carbon unit, IPP, which is then linked into larger and larger (10, 15, 20 carbons) molecules, terpenoids, that can rearrange into multiple ring structures. Only the smallest chemicals in the series evaporate to provide identifiable smells, e.g. Frankincense and Myrrh, while larger forms, e.g. cholesterol or testosterone in animals, are odorless solids.
Acetyl CoA to IPP
For those who enjoy the beauty of biochemistry: The most abundant enzyme on earth is RibisCo (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase), the plant enzyme that combines carbon dioxide from air with a five-carbon phosphorylated sugar, ribulose bisphosphate, to produce two, three-carbon intermediates of glycolysis that can be converted into glucose or into acetyl CoA, the starting chemical for fatty acids, the mitochondrial TCA cycle, or via mevalonic acid to isopentanyl pyrophosphate (IPP), the building block for terpenoid synthesis.
In brief: Photosynthesis uses the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into sugars (glucose and fructose). Those sugars can be converted into a five-carbon, molecular building block for terpenoids, IPP. IPP molecules can then be linked together to make increasingly longer chains and those chains can be ultimately twisted into rings to make resins in plants and steroids in humans.
Five, Ten, Fifteen, Thirty; IPP (5), GPP (10), Sesquiterpenoids (15), Triterpenoids (30)
Terpenoid synthesis begins with IPP, which has five carbons in a branched chain and has a pair of phosphates, pyrophosphate that provide the energy to form chains of 5, 10, 15, etc. In plants, molecules of each of the incremental lengths are produced together and additional enzymes in different species of plants result in mixtures of molecules with different rings and functional groups. The smaller molecules evaporate more readily, so that mixtures are extruded from damaged trees as oils and gradually form resins as the remaining larger molecules predominate and solidify.
Shark Livers and the Horn of Africa
IPP with five carbons, an isoprene, is used to make GPP with ten, a monoterpene. Common monoterpenes are geranol and limonene that make the characteristic odors of geraniums and lemons. Sesquiterpenoids (15 carbons made from three IPPs) include the fragrance of patchouli. Diterpenes, such as sweet steviol, have twenty carbons, which can be chemically twisted into the chemicals that predominate in Myrrh resin, the Balm of Gileade. The triterpenes with 30 carbons can be rearranged with five rings to form steroids, such as cholesterol in animals or Frankincense. Linear squalene, is the major component in shark liver oil and provides the same function as a swim bladder in a boney fish.
Read the original post:
Cooling Inflammation
- Research and Markets: Chronic Inflammation - Pipeline Review, H1 2013 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- 14 Foods That Fight Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Diabetes And Inflammation Control From Cocoa Powder [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Cocoa may help fight obesity-related inflammation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Yankees' Teixeira has mild inflammation in wrist [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Yankees' Teixeira has mild inflammation in wrist [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Inflammation in wrist lands Teixeira on DL [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Yankees’ Mark Teixeira has inflammation in wrist, could land on disabled list [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Inflammation, stiffness and swelling are signs of juvenile arthritis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Cocoa may help protect against inflammation, diabetes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Lab or Diagnostic Findings: Rheumatoid Arthritis (inflammation, joint pannus, boutonniere deformity) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- How Should I Treat Joint Pain, Stiffness And Inflammation Naturally At Home? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Truth About Injuries Pain Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- VN-13 YEARS OLD GIRL PREGNANT BUT DOCTOR SAID SHE HAS INTESTINE INFLAMMATION - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Foods That Fight Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Immune Response and Chronic Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- uab PT 720 video- inflammation with PT implications - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Organic Turmeric Capsules Heals Inflammation and Arthritis - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Pathology Inflammation Revision By Mostafa El lakany - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the Eyelids - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Tonsillitis is nothing but the inflammation of the tonsils - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Inflammation 3, Tissue Response - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2013]
- Inflammation Foods and Weight Gain - Health - Fitness - Wellness - Speaker Jerry Anderson - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2013]
- Aspects of skin inflammation and the implications for general medicine (clip) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2013]
- Stress, Inflammation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2013]
- Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D. - how omega-6 GLA affects inflammation vs. dietary omega-6s - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- Keeping inflammation in check - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- Causes of Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- Inflammation: Deadly Destruction in Obesity! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- How to Reduce or Prevent Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- Omega-tasapaino ja tulehdukset (The Omega Balance and Inflammation) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- MyHealthAcademyUSA.com - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger Stretches - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- ITIS It Means Inflammation What Should You Do About It [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2013]
- Dr. Carm Shares Foods that Fight Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: Regeneration, Repair, Inflammation and Autoimmunity - Neil Riordan PhD P2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Dr Bernard Press Diet and inflammation final - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Inflammation is the Root Cause of the Biggest Killers - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: Regeneration, Repair, Inflammation and Autoimmunity - Neil Riordan PhD P1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Medicinal Rice B4 Formulations for Bone Inflammation: Pankaj Oudhia's Medicinal Plant Database - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Medicinal Rice B4 Formulations for Bone Inflammation: Pankaj Oudhia's Medicinal Plant Database - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2013]
- Inflammation Study - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2013]
- The Microbiome in Infectious and Noninfectious Gut Inflammation - Vince Young - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2013]
- Inflammatory Foods: 9 Of The Worst Picks For Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2013]
- Predicting Inflammation [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 13th, 2013]
- 07 3 Infection and inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2013]
- Cellular Inflammation and its Connection with Disease - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2013]
- Episode #17 Juicing Cucumber, Celery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2013]
- Inflammation and tissue homeostatis - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2013]
- Herbs For Pain and Inflammation! Herbs for Life Part IV - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Heat, lifestyle and inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- The Best Testimonies for Inflammation Joint Pain Relief Nopalea - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Fight Inflammation Stop Chronic Joint Pain Nopalea Juice - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- No.1 Natural Remedy to Stop Inflammation Joint Pain Nopalea - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- East-West Medicine and Inflammation | Dr. Lawrence Taw - UCLA Health - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- East-West Medicine and Inflammation | Dr. Lawrence Taw - UCLA Health - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Inflammation markers - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Inflammation the cause of Heart Disease - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Oxidative Stress and Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2013]
- Prickly Pear Fruit Puree - Fight Inflammation with Nopal Cactus - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SAGA INFLAMMATION - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- Anders Rosengren om länken mellan inflammation och typ 2 diabetes - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- Fresh Ginger Benefits, Reduce Inflammation, Basic Home Remedies - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- Inflammation and Heart Disease Explained - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- ACUTE INFLAMMATION - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- Dr. Joe Brown - Pain and Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2013]
- Dr Gina Asaad_ general pathology- inflammation- part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome-Delayed inflammation in the hands following morning mobility exercises - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- Metabolic Control of Innate Immunity and Inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- Black Cumin Seed Oil reduces inflammation and infection - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- Health Tips - Internal inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- E Hollander, MD: Inflammation, Temperature and Therapeutics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- LAB Pathology: Inflammation by Aj.Chavaboon Dechsukhum (19/09/56) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2013]
- Acute Inflammation, Gout, Severe Food Allergies Grant Askin Testimonial Hippocrates - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Dr.Sahar - Inflammation 4 - Chronic inflammation - Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Dr.Sahar - inflammation 3 - acute inflammation- part 3 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Dr.Sahar - inflammation 3 - acute inflammation- part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Dr.Sahar - inflammation 3 - acute inflammation- part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Fight and Prevent Inflammation Naturally - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- Inflammation and Sugar - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]
- alpha-linolenic acid inflammation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2013]