(-)-noscapine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline which is substituted by a 4,5-dimethoxy-3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2-benzofuran-1-yl group at position 1, a methylenedioxy group at positions 6-7 and a methoxy group at position 8. Obtained from plants of the Papaveraceae family, it lacks significant painkilling properties and is primarily used for its antitussive (cough-suppressing) effects. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, an antitussive, an apoptosis inducer and a plant metabolite. It is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, an organic heterotricyclic compound, an organic heterobicyclic compound, an aromatic ether, a tertiary amino compound, an isobenzofuranone and a cyclic acetal. It is functionally related to a (-)-noscapine hemiacetal.
