[Pharmacological properties of inulicin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Japanese inula]

Inulicin is a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from Inula Japonica L. (Compositae) possesses a fairly wide spectrum of pharmacological action. In doses from 5 to 60 mg/kg it exerts a certain stimulant action on the central nervous system and smooth muscles of the intestine, displays an anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity on pathological models of different genesis, and has capillary-strengthening diuretic properties. When given in low doses, the drug did not affect cardiac activity, while in high doses it might inhibit it. Inulicin is relatively little toxic. The LD50 for mice is 476 mg/kg intraperitoneally and 1330 mg/kg per os.