METHYLUMBELLIFERONE Meaning and
Definition
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Methylumbelliferone, also known as 7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin or 7-Hydroxycoumarin-4-methyl ether, is an organic compound that belongs to the coumarin family. It is a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring compound umbelliferone. Methylumbelliferone can be found in a variety of plants, such as citrus fruits, parsley, and carrot seeds.
Chemically, methylumbelliferone is classified as a substituted coumarin, consisting of a benzene ring fused with a lactone ring. It is characterized by its white crystalline or pale yellow powder form, which is soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and chloroform, but sparingly soluble in water.
Methylumbelliferone possesses various biological activities and is widely used in biomedical research as a fluorescent marker or probe. It is commonly employed to quantify enzyme activities involving glucuronidation, a process involving the chemical addition of a glucuronic acid molecule to other compounds, which facilitates their elimination from the body.
In addition, methylumbelliferone has been extensively studied for its potential anticancer properties. It has been shown to inhibit tumor metastasis by suppressing certain enzymes related to tissue remodeling and inflammation. Furthermore, it exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are valuable in the treatment of various diseases.
Due to its wide range of applications and biological activities, methylumbelliferone has become an essential tool in biochemical analysis and pharmaceutical research, contributing to advancements in drug discovery and development.
Common Misspellings for METHYLUMBELLIFERONE
- nethylumbelliferone
- kethylumbelliferone
- jethylumbelliferone
- mwthylumbelliferone
- msthylumbelliferone
- mdthylumbelliferone
- mrthylumbelliferone
- m4thylumbelliferone
- m3thylumbelliferone
- merhylumbelliferone
- mefhylumbelliferone
- meghylumbelliferone
- meyhylumbelliferone
- me6hylumbelliferone
- me5hylumbelliferone
- metgylumbelliferone
- metbylumbelliferone
- metnylumbelliferone
- metjylumbelliferone
- metuylumbelliferone
Etymology of METHYLUMBELLIFERONE
The term "Methylumbelliferone" is composed of two main components: "methyl" and "umbelliferone".
1. Methyl: It comes from the chemical group called "methyl". Methyl is derived from the German word "methylen" and the Latin word "methylēnum", which ultimately traces back to the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine". It was initially used to refer to the vapor or spirit arising from wine distillation.
2. Umbelliferone: This word comes from the combination of "umbel" and "ferone".
- Umbel: Derived from the Latin word "umbella", which means "a sunshade" or "little shadow". It refers to the shape of the inflorescence (cluster of flowers) that resembles an umbrella. Umbels are characterized by several flower stalks originating from a common point.
