amyrin

chemical compound

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July 15, 2026

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Amyrin refers to either of two crystalline isomeric triterpenoid alcohols, alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin, with the chemical formula C₃₀H₄₉OH. These compounds are found in substances like Manila elemi and dandelion roots. Beta-amyrin, in particular, is a pentacyclic triterpene and is abundant in nature, often occurring in plants either freely or as glycosides. The resin elemi, primarily sourced from trees in the Burseraceae family, is a significant source of beta-amyrin. The structure of beta-amyrin is representative of its class and shares a notable relationship with squalene and cholesterol, with squalene serving as a common precursor in biosynthesis for both pentacyclic triterpenes and sterols.12

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isoprenoid
Triterpenes
The best source of β-amyrin is the resin elemi, obtained primarily from trees in the family of flowering plants known as Burseraceae. The carbon skeleton of β-amyrin bears a striking relationship to those of squalene and cholesterol, and it has been shown that squalene is a common precursor of…
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The best source of β-amyrin is the resin elemi, obtained primarily from trees in the family of flowering plants known as Burseraceae. The carbon skeleton of β-amyrin bears a striking relationship to those of squalene and cholesterol, and it has been shown that squalene is a common precursor of…
Read More