indole

American  

[in-dohl] / ˈɪn doʊl /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless to yellowish solid, C 8 H 7 N, having a low melting point and a fecal odor, found in the oil of jasmine and clove and as a putrefaction product from animals' intestines: used in perfumery and as a reagent.

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indole British  

/ ˈɪndəʊl, -dɒl, ˈɪndəʊl /

noun

1. a white or yellowish crystalline heterocyclic compound extracted from coal tar and used in perfumery, medicine, and as a flavouring agent; 1-benzopyrrole. Formula: C 8 H 7 N

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indole Scientific  

/ ĭn′dōl′ /

1. A white crystalline compound obtained from coal tar or various plants and produced by the bacterial decomposition of tryptophan in the intestine. It is used in the perfume industry and as a reagent. Chemical formula: C ₈ H ₇ N.

2. Any of various derivatives of this compound.

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Etymology

Origin of indole

First recorded in 1865–70; ind- + -ole ²

Example Sentences

One group of metabolites, known as indole compounds, has attracted special interest because of their anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

From Science Daily

They used several analytical tools, including spectrometry, isotope labeling and computational approaches, to determine the chemical structures of 12 distinct indole metabolites within the mixture.

From Science Daily

Kim, Lee and their colleagues then examined whether the indole compounds could limit processes linked to skin aging.

From Science Daily

Based on these early results, the researchers note that the newly characterized indole metabolites could one day form the basis for therapies that help counter the effects of aging on the skin.

From Science Daily

Three metabolites known to play a role in mood regulation -- anserine, indole-3-carboxylate, and deoxyinosine -- were reduced by the cafeteria diet but rebounded with exercise.

From Science Daily