NCBI Taxonomy: 34672

Cantharidin

C10H12O4 (196.0735552)

Cantharidin

C10H12O4 (196.0735552)

Cantharidin appears as brown to black powder or plates or scales. Formerly used as a counterirritant and vesicant. Used for the removal of warts. Used as an experimental anti tumor agent. Active ingredient in spanish fly, a reputed aphrodisiac. (EPA, 1998) Cantharidin is a monoterpenoid with an epoxy-bridged cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride structure secreted by many species of blister beetle, and most notably by the Spanish fly, Lytta vesicatoria. Natural toxin inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. It has a role as an EC 3.1.3.16 (phosphoprotein phosphatase) inhibitor and a herbicide. It is a monoterpenoid and a cyclic dicarboxylic anhydride. Cantharidin is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless fatty substance of the terpenoid class that is produced as an oral fluid in the alimentary canal of the male blister beetle. For its natural purpose, the male blister beetle secretes and presents the cantharidin to a female beetle as a copulatory gift during mating. Post-copulation, the female beetle places the cantharidin over her eggs as protection against any potential predators. Available synthetically since the 1950s, topical applications of cantharidin have been used predominantly as a treatment for cutaneous warts since that time. In 1962 however, marketers of cantharidin failed to produce sufficient efficacy data, resulting in the FDA revision of approval of cantharidin. Today, topical cantharidin products do not necessarily demonstrate any particular better effectiveness at treating topical skin conditions like warts than other commonly available vesicant and/or keratolytics although various studies have also investigated the possibility of using cantharidin as an inflammatory model or in cancer treatment. Regardless, the onging lack of FDA approval is likely related to certain toxic effects that were observed following oral ingestion, which includes ulceration of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, along with electrolyte and renal function disturbance in humans and animals. Cantharidin is a natural product found in Epicauta fabricii, Epicauta sericans, and other organisms with data available. A toxic compound, isolated from the Spanish fly or blistering beetle (Lytta (Cantharis) vesicatoria) and other insects. It is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A). This compound can produce severe skin inflammation, and is extremely toxic if ingested orally. C78284 - Agent Affecting Integumentary System D009676 - Noxae > D007509 - Irritants D004791 - Enzyme Inhibitors Same as: D11745 relative retention time with respect to 9-anthracene Carboxylic Acid is 0.511