3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid, a multifunctional plant metabolite of toxic reputation

Abstract

3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (-ODAP ) is a neuroexcitatory non-protein amino acid identified in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) and in ginseng (Panax spp). Its presence in the drought tolerant grass pea is thought to be responsible for the crippling disease neurolathyrism, while in the longevity promoting ginseng it is named dencichine and praised for its haemostatic properties. Some properties of -ODAP are put in perspective.