patchoulol

Patchoulol, also known as patchouli alcohol, is a tricyclic sesquiterpene alcohol and the primary bioactive component of patchouli oil extracted from *Pogostemon cablin*. It possesses a diverse pharmacological profile, characterized by anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. Its primary anti-inflammatory mechanism involves the inhibition of the **NF-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway** and **Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)**, which reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In viral contexts, patchoulol acts as an agonist for **Ubiquitin-specific-processing protease 18 (USP18)**, a regulator of type I interferon signaling that helps mitigate lung inflammation during infections such as Influenza A (H1N1). Clinically, patchoulol is being investigated under the name **Basicol** for its ability to reduce false-positive results in penicillin skin tests. It is also researched for its potential as a skin-lightening agent through **Tyrosinase** inhibition and as a candidate for treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Brand names

Basicol

Other names

patchouli alcohol(-)-patchoulolPatchouli alcohol solution