Khusimol, a non-peptide ligand for vasopressin V1a receptors

In the course of a random screen of various plant extracts, khusimol [1], a non-peptide molecule isolated from the root of Vetiveria zizanioides, was found to competitively inhibit the binding of vasopressin to rat liver V1a receptors (Ki = 50 microM). The 1H- and 13C-nmr spectra of this sesquiterpene alcohol were assigned unambiguously.