CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF CANTHARIDIN (2, 6-DIMETHYL-4, 10-DIOXATRICYCLO-[5.2.1.02, 6] DECANE-3, 5-DIONE) ISOLATED FROM RED HEADED BLISTER BEETLE, EPICAUTA HIRTICORNIS

Abstract: The title compound C10H12O4, named as cantharidin a type of terpenoid, is an anticancer chemical compound secreted by many species of blister beetles. It is an achiral compound. It has a plane of symmetry that goes through the middle of the bonds C2C3 and C5C6. It's a meso compound (2S, 3R). The cr iteria for Epicauta hirticornis to be included in the present study was mainly based on the survey and information collected from the traditional healers of the Karbi Anglong region of Assam, India for its uses in the treatment of many ailments including cancer suspected diseases which have not been properly documented. The beetle, Epicauta hirticornis commonly known as red-headed blister beetle, belongs to the class- insecta, order- coleoptera and family- meloidae. The size of this beetle ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 cm and their body colour is black with two pairs of long legs and red head with one pair of long antenna. In the present study the bioactive compound, cantharidin was isolated and crystallized from E. hirticornis