Amygdalin

General information

Amygdalin is a glycoside that was initially isolated from the seeds of the almond tree Prunus dulcis ; it is also found in Prunus amygdala (bitter almond) [ ], Prunus armeniaca (apricot), Prunus serotina (black cherry) [ ], and Prunus tomentosa (Nanking cherry) [ ].

Laetrile (a synthetic derivative of amygdalin) was at one time promoted as a cure for cancer, but it is not effective [ ] and can cause cyanide poisoning [ ].

Second-generation effects