What is a medicanine?

A medicanine is a natural product containing a quinolizidine alkaloid nucleus, which is structurally similar to the amino acid lysine and is found in herbaceous plants such as the bird vetch and the snail medic, both of which belong to the clover or pea family. Medicinine is derived from the plant called snail medic (Medicago scutellata Miller) which belongs to the plant family of Fabaceae.

These phytochemicals have a high potential for medicinal exploration, as they exhibit pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.