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|Section2= |Section3= }} Merrilactone A is one of the four sesquiterpenes that were newly discovered from the fruit of ''Illicium merrillianum'' in 2000. Members of the genus ''Illicium'' include Chinese star anise, widely used as a spice for flavouring food and beverages, and also poisonous plants such as Japanese star anise. Chemical studies of ''Illicium'' have developed rapidly over the last 20 years, and merrilactone A has been shown to have neurotrophic activity in fetal rat cortical neuron cultures. This has led researchers to believe that Merrilactone A may hold therapeutic potential in the treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. ==Occurrence== Merrilactone A occurs naturally in ''Illicium merrillianum'', a plant indigenous to southern China and Myanmar.〔 The genus ''Illicium'' belongs to the family ''Illiciaceae'' and is an evergreen shrub or tree. Approximately 40 species are disjunctively distributed in eastern North America, Mexico, the West Indies, and eastern Asia. The highest concentration of species is in northern Myanmar and southern China, where nearly 35 species have been described. The fruits of the ''Illicium'' species are distinctive star-shaped follicles that have a characteristic refreshing flavour. The fruits of ''Illicium merrillianum'' also have an aromatic odor, bland taste and cause numbness of the tongue when chewed.〔 The only economically important product from this genus is the fruit of ''Illicium verum'', or Chinese star anise, which is widely used as a spice for flavouring food and beverages. In contrast, the fruit of Japanese star anise, ''Illicium anisatum'', have been known to be very toxic for several centuries. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Merrilactone A」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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