Costunolid

Costunolid a sesquiterpenlactone is a component of costus oil (root oil of Saussurea lappa L.) and laurel oil (extract of Laurus nobilis L. the laurel) as well as various other plants. Costunolid is a component of the sesquiterpenlactone mix for epicutaneous testing.
UsesCostunolide is
only of significance because of its sensitizing effect. The pure substance is not used as a fragrance. Costunolid is essentially responsible for the allergenic effect of costus root oil, but also of laurel oil! A perfume allergy is often due to the presence of such costunolide-containing essential oils. Costus root oil also contains dehydrocostus lactone, which engraves the allergenic effect of costunolide.

1. Hausen BM (1988) Allergy plants - plant allergens - Handbook and atlas of allergy-inducing wild and cultivated plants. ecomed publishing company, Landsberg
2. Paulsen E (2016) Systemic allergic dermatitis caused by sesquiterpene lactones. Contact dermatitis doi: 10.1111/cod.12671.
3. Kanerva L et al (2001) Patch test sensitization to Compositae mix, sesquiterpene-lactone mix, Compositae extracts, laurel leaf, chlorophorin, Mansonone A, and dimethoxydalbergione. On J Contact Dermat 12:18-24.