isocupressic acid

Isocupressic acid is a naturally occurring labdane diterpene acid found in conifer needles, particularly from *Pinus ponderosa* (ponderosa pine) and *Juniperus communis* (common juniper). It is widely recognized in veterinary toxicology as the primary abortifacient component responsible for pine needle-induced abortions in late-term pregnant cattle. Mechanistically, isocupressic acid reduces uterine blood flow and inhibits progesterone production in luteal cells by blocking luteinizing hormone (LH) and cAMP-mediated signaling pathways. In addition to its veterinary significance, preclinical research has investigated isocupressic acid for its anti-breast cancer properties, demonstrating its ability to induce caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in malignant breast cancer cell lines such as MDA-MB-231.

Other names

(+)-isocupressic acid(13E)-15-hydroxy-8(17),13-labdadiene-19-oic acid(13E)-15-hydroxylabda-8(20),13-dien-19-oic acid(15-hydroxy-8(17),13E-labdadien-19-oic acid(1S,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-[(3E)-5-hydroxy-3-methylpent-3-en-1-yl]-1,4a-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,4,5,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid(1S,4aR,5S,8aR)-5-[(E)-5-hydroxy-3-methylpent-3-enyl]-1,4a-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,4,5,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-naphthalene-1-carboxylic acidICAisocupressic acid