Chemicals and Drugs

gamma-Linolenic Acid

An omega-6 fatty acid produced in the body as the delta 6-desaturase metabolite of linoleic acid. It is converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, a biosynthetic precursor of monoenoic prostaglandins such as PGE1. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

An omega-6 fatty acid produced in the body as the delta 6-desaturase metabolite of linoleic acid. It is converted to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, a biosynthetic precursor of monoenoic prostaglandins such as PGE1. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C18H30O2
Molecular Weight
278.4 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
506-26-3
IUPAC Name
(6Z,9Z,12Z)-octadeca-6,9,12-trienoic acid
InChIKey
VZCCETWTMQHEPK-QNEBEIHSSA-N
SMILES
CCCCC/C=C\C/C=C\C/C=C\CCCCC(=O)O
MeSH Unique ID
D017965
Source
PubChem CID 5280933

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

18 entry terms
  • Gamolenic Acid
  • Acid, Gamolenic
  • Acid, gamma-Linolenic
  • gamma Linolenic Acid
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Ammonium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Cerium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Indium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Lithium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Potassium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Sodium Salt
  • gamma-Linolenic Acid, Zinc Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Ammonium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Cerium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Indium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Lithium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Potassium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Sodium Salt
  • gamma Linolenic Acid, Zinc Salt

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID is an omega-3 fatty acid

MeSH Record

History Note

94; was GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID (NM) 1980-93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Linolenic Acids (1980-1993)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D10w.251w.355w.310w.640.425w
  2. D10w.251w.355w.343w.249w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. gamma-Linolenic Acid. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017965. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017965
  2. gamma-Linolenic Acid. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%93-Linolenic_acid
  3. gamma-Linolenic Acid. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q415885
  4. gamma-Linolenic Acid. In: PubChem Compound. CID 5280933. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5280933