Ana Sandolu

… Scientists have unraveled the molecular underpinnings of cilantro’s anticonvulsive effects.

Prof. Abbott and colleagues screened the metabolites of cilantro leaf and found that one in particular — the “long-chain fatty aldehyde (E)-2- dodecenal” —activates several potassium channels.

These potassium channels are part of the “[n]euronal voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily Q (KCNQ),” and researchers have known for a while that dysfunction in these channels can cause severe, treatment- resistant epileptic seizures.