3-Oxo-friedelan-20α-OIC acid from gymnosporia emarginata

3-Oxo-friedelan-20α-oic acid, named as maytenonic (polpunonic) acid, has been isolated along with β-amyrin and sitosterol from Gymnosporia emarginata. ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals have been assigned for the structure. X-ray analysis of the single crystal confirmed that the carboxylic acid is α-oriented at C-20 and the D/E rings of this D:A-friedo-oleanane are in chair-chair conformation. ¹³C NMR data of the present compound also enabled the assignment of the C-20α- and β-methyl carbons in friedelin.     

Iguesterin,a new quinonoid triterpene from Catha cassinoides

β-Amyrin, sitosterol, celastrol, pristimerin, tingenone and a new hydroxymethylene quinonoid dinor-triterpene iguesterine were isolated from the root bark of Catha cassinoides. The structure of iguesterine was determined spectroscopically and by synthesis from tingenone. Tentative assignments are given for the chemical shifts of the methyl groups of iguesterin, tingenone and some of their derivatives.     

Isolation and characterization of two isoperoxidases from tobacco tissue cultures

Two isoperoxidases (A_f and C_n) from the medium of tobacco tissue suspension culture WR-132 grown in darkness have been purified to apparent homogeneity and partially characterized. C_n and A_f have MWs of ca 30 000 and 54 000, respectively. A_f has ca 5.1% carbohydrate, but none could be detected in C_n. Both isoperoxidases appear to follow simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to guaiacol as the substrate. The K_ms for guaiacol are 4 and 13.3 mM for Af and C_n, respectively, while both isoperoxidases have a pH optimum at 6.5. C_n, is dissimilar to other isoperoxidases from tobacco tissue cultures, but A_f is very similar to isoperoxidase A₃ from W-38 tobacco tissue culture.     

The chemistry of toxic principles from Maytenus nemerosa

Maytenus nemerosa has been fractionated systematically by following the toxicity of extracts, partitioned solutions and column chromatographic fractions against cultured KB cells. Several compounds were isolated in this fashion, including 3-oxo-20(29)-lupen-30-al, β-amyrin, 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, 30-hydroxy-20(29)-lupen-3-one, 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one and lup-20(29)-ene-3β,30-diol, as well as tingenone, 20-hydroxytingenone and galactitol. 3-Oxo-20(29)-lupen-30-al was shown to be cytotoxic for the first time; the structural basis of this cytotoxicity was investigated, in part, by bioassay of four products obtained by chemical transformation of single, isolated principles.     

Isolation of a natural sterol and an aliphatic acid from Vernonia cinerea

From the roots of Vernonia cinerea a new natural sterol and a new aliphatic acid characterized as stigmast-5,17(20)-dien-3β-ol and 26-methylheptacosanoic acid, respectively, have been isolated together with stigmasterol and sitosterol.     

Triterpene quinone-methides from Schaefferia cuneifolia roots

The two quinone-methides, pristimerin and tingenone, have been isolated from the roots of Schaefferia cuneifolia. Both compounds strongly inhibit the germination of lentil seeds.     

Studies on growth and steroid formation in tissue cultures of Holarrhena antidysenterica

Callus cultures derived from the hypocotyl of germinated seedlings of the plant, Holarrhena antidysenterica showed an inherent lack of organ-forming ability when grown under the influence of a wide range of exogenous growth factors. Several sterols were isolated from the callus, of which, the predominant ones were identified as cholesterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, 28-isofucosterol, sitosterol and stigmasterol.     

Hormonal control of steroid levels in tissue cultures from Trigonella foenumgraecum

The free and bound sterol and sapogenin levels of static and suspension cultures of Trigonella foenumgraecum have been investigated. Variations in the levels and distribution of these steroidal compounds with alterations in medium composition and culture age are reported. Synergism between auxin and cytokinin was observed in certain combinations and antagonism in others.     

Isoperoxidases from tobacco tissue cultures

Two anodic isoperoxidases (A₁ and A₂) from tobacco tissue culture W-38 and two cathodic isoperoxidases (C₃ and C₄) from tobacco suspension culture WR-132 have been separated and characterized. Molecular weights for each of the isoperoxidases have been determined by two different methods. Only C₄ contained a carbohydrate component. The substrate specificity and the pH optima for the four enzymes with each of five substrates were determined.     

Haemcytochromes in valepotriate producing tissue cultures of Centranthus macrosiphon

Valepotriate and haemcytochrome (cyt b₅ and cyt P₄₅₀) contents were determined in tissue cultures of Centranthus macrosiphon. These cultures consisted of highly productive root organ cultures and poorly productive callus on solid media and highly productive root organ suspension cultures. High cyt b₅ contents were found in all the cultures (0.2–0.5 nmol cyt b₅ per mg protein). In the different tissue cultures the cyt P₄₅₀ levels (which were very high in the root differentiated cultures: 0.4 nmol per mg protein) increased with increasing amounts of valepotriates. By analogy with the biosynthesis of loganin, a closely related secondary metabolite, an important function of cyt P₄₅₀ dependent monooxygenase enzyme systems in valepotriate biosynthesis is suggested.     

Growth and betaine formation in Medicago sativa tissue cultures

Static and suspension tissue cultures of Medicago sativa were initiated from sterile seedlings, excised roots and aerial portions of the seedlings. Flask suspension cultures containing chlorophyll were also established. The various tissues were harvested after 30 days, growth rates were determined, and the tissue was later lyophilized. The lyophilized tissues from various batches were extracted separately with 70% EtOH. The betaine mixture was isolated from these extracts and from seeds of the plant as their tetraphenylborate salts. The betaines were separated from the latter complex via ion exchange and column chromatography and were identified by standard procedures. All of the tissues, regardless of origin, produced choline. Only chlorophyllous tissue biosynthesized stachydrine.     

Polyphenols of mature plant,seedling and tissue cultures of Theobroma cacao

The major flavone in mature cocoa leaves is isovitexin, with smaller amounts of vitexin and 7-O-glucosides of apigenin, luteolin and chrysoeriol. F     

Three triterpenes and other terpenoids from Catha cassinoides

The investigation of stems and leaves of Catha cassinoides afforded, in addition to sitosterol, β-amyrin, ursolic acid, lup-20(29)-en-3β,30-diol and friedelin, three new pentacyclic triterpenes: 30-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one, 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one and 3-oxo-friedelan-29-oic acid. The structures ofthese were determined by spectral studies and correlations, and were confirmed by X-ray analysis of 29-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one acetate.     

Volatile emissions of plant tissue cultures

Summary The low-molecular-weight volatiles released by a variety of plant tissue cultures were examined by gas chromatography. Callus cultures invariably produced carbon dioxide, ethylene, acetaldehyde and ethanol. In cultures with developed shoots, ethanol was absent and acetaldehyde was detected only rarely.     

Beneficial effects of activated charcoal on plant tissue and organ cultures

Summary Addition of activated charcoal to the medium for plant tissue cultures improves growth by adsorbing toxic metabolites. This research was supported in part by the National Science Council, Republic of China     

Effect of light on cardenolide production by Digitalis lanata tissue cultures

The influence of light on the accumulation of cardenolides by Digitalis lanata S-1 was studied. Optimal radiant flux for chlorophyll accumulation w     

Formation of acetyltropine in Datura callus cultures

The production of tropoylesters in suspension cultures of Datura innoxia stem callus was significantly stimulated by dl-tropic acid, phenylpyruvate or tropine, but was little affected by l-phenylalanine or l-ornithine. Analyses have shown that acetyltropine is synthesized in large quantities by cultured cells when tropine has been supplied to various cultures of D. innoxia and D. tatula. Acetyltropine has been isolated from either the culture medium or cells supplied with tropine. These results indicate that tropine absorbed by the cultured cells of Datura is esterified predominantly by acetic acid to form acetyltropine, instead of other tropane alkaloids.     

A natural triterpene acid from Hyptis suaveolens

A new natural triterpenoid, characterized as 3β-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-27-oic acid, has been isolated from the roots of Hyptis suaveolens in additi