Flavonol glycosides from Epimedium sagittatum

Two new flavonol glycosides were isolated from Epimedium sagittatum besides the known flavonol glycosides, icariin and icarisid I. On the basis of spectral analyses, the structures of the compounds were determined to be anhydroicaritin-3-O-α-rhamnoside and icaritin-3-O-α-rhamnoside.     

Catabolism of flavonol glucosides in plant cell suspension cultures

Catabolism of flavonol glucosides was investigated in plant cell suspension cultures using kaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucoside and kaempferol 7-O-β-d-glucoside labelled with ¹⁴C either in the glucose or in the flavonol moiety. Catabolic rates of glucosides were compared with those of free glucose and kaempferol. All substrates were degraded efficiently by cell cultures of mungbean, soybean, garbanzo bean and parsley. Based on ¹⁴CO₂-formation, glucose from position 3 of kaempferol is 3–5 times more rapidly metabolized than that from position 7. The flavonol nucleus from both isomers is, however, oxidized to the same extent with a considerable portion of the flavonol being incorporated into insoluble polymeric cell material.     

Flavonoids of Mayaca fluviatilis (Mayacaceae)

Mayaca is an aquatic monocot of the monogeneric family Mayacaceae. The flavonol glycosides quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and the flavone luteolin 5-O-glucoside were found in methanolic leaf extracts. The presence of flavonol and flavone O-glycosides sets the Mayacaceae apart from the Commelinaceae, which accumulates predominantly flavone C-glycosides.     

Temporal lag between gene expression and metabolite accumulation in flavonol biosynthesis of Arabidopsis roots

The temporal lag between gene expression and metabolite accumulation has been estimated in flavonol biosynthesis, but the time difference between these events is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the expression of flavonol biosynthetic genes ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5, MYELOBLASTOSIS PROYEIN12/PRODUCTION OF FLAVONOL GLYCOSYDES1, CHALCONE SYNTHASE, CHALCONE ISOMERASE, FLAVANONE 3-HYDROXYLASE, and FLAVONOL SYNTHASE1, and the accumulation of flavonol glycosides (kaempferol and quercetin glycosides) in time-series samples of Arabidopsis thaliana roots. All genes started to be expressed within 3 h after sequential light irradiation (HAS) and reached their maximum expression levels at 12 HAS, and the accumulation of the flavonol glycosides started at 6 HAS. Metabolome analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that the accumulation of kaempferol 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol 3-O-rhamnosyl (1 → 2) glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside reached their maximum levels at 48 HAS, whereas other flavonol glycosides, such as kaempferol/quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside and quercetin 3-O-rhamnosyl (1 → 2) glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, increased gradually until 96 HAS. These results show that the expression of the flavonol genes is an early response against light exposure, and that the accumulation of the flavonol glycosides is a late response.     

6-Methoxyflavonols from disjunct populations of Brickellia cylindracea (compositae)

Eight identical 6-methylated flavonols including aglycones and glycosides were isolated from two geographically disjunction population of Brickellia cylindracea from Mount Livermore and Austin, Texas, suggesting that they are best treated as a single taxon. Among the flavonol aglycones identified were patuletin, centaureidin, quercetagetin 3,6,3′,4′-tetramethyl ether and artemetin. The flavonol glycosides were patuletin and its 3-galactoside, 3-galactogalactoside, 3-rhamnogalactoside and a 3-rhamnogalactoside derivative.     

Screening for flavonol 3-glycoside specific β-glycosidases in plants using a spectrophotometric enzymatic assay

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric assay for following the hydrolysis of flavonol 3-glycosides has been developed. The assay profits from the fact that peroxidase converts flavonol aglycones to their corresponding 2,3-dihydroxyflavanones, producing a large shift in UV absorption, whereas flavonol 3-glycosides are not attacked. The amount of liberated aglycone can therefore be calculated from the decrease of flavonol absorption at 350–380 nm. A horseradish peroxidase-H₂O₂ test system can be used to investigate the hydrolysis of most flavonol 3-glycosides, whereas quercetin 3-glycosides can be tested using a peroxidase preparation from Mentha sp. which uses O₂ as cofactor rather than H₂O₂. Flavonol 3-glycoside synthesis, e.g. with UDP-sugars as cofactors, may also be tested by this particular system. Various plants and plant cell cultures were screened for kaempferol and quercetin 3-glycoside specific β-glycosidases. However, in no case could any specific activity be detected.     

Quercetin 3-O-galactosyl-(1 → 6)-glucoside,a compound from narrowleaf vetch with antibacterial activity

A new flavonol glycoside, quercetin 3-O-galactosyl-(1 → 6)-glucoside, has been isolated from above-ground parts of narrowleaf vetch, Vicia angustifolia. Its antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas maltophilia and Enterobacter cloacae is compared with that of several other flavonol glycosides.     

Flavonol glycosides from Humata pectinata

A new flavonol glucoside, 8-methoxyquercetin 3-glucoside, and 8-methoxykaempferol 3-glucoside were characterized from the whole plant of Humata pectinata.     

Flavonol glycosides in Brassica and Sinapis

The 7-glucosides and 3,7-diglucosides of kaempferol and isorhamnetin were identified in leaves and flowers of Sinapis arvensis. Additionally, the 3-sophoroside-7-glucosides of kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin were found in leaves of S. arvensis and Brassica oleracea. Two dimensional surveys of leaf extracts of 27 species and cultivars of Brassica and Sinapis showed that the same pattern occurred in most species. B. tournefortii and S. flexuosa were exceptional in having flavonol 3-monosides and 3-diglycosides instead. The results suggest that it is the glycosidic patterns, rather than the distribution of the flavonol aglycones, which are likely to be of taxonomic value for distinguishing groups of species or genera within the Cruciferae.     

Flavonol glucosyltransferase activity in Bronze embryos of Zea mays

The major UDPG: flavonol glucosyltransferase (UFGT) in maize is an enzyme of strict positional specificity known to be coded by the Bz locus. In bz mature endosperms, no UFGT can be detected. However, bz embryos possess a residual flavonol glucosyltransferase activity which is independent of Bz locus control. The products of this activity have been identified as the 3′-, 7- and 3-glucosides.     

Flavonoid diversification in Achillea ptarmica and allied taxa

More than 50 collections of 12 species forming the A. ptarmica group have been analysed for their leaf flavonoids. C-Glycosylflavones (iso-orientin and derivatives, vicenins and lucenins) were found to be the main components, whereas flavonol 3-O-glycosides (based on quercetin and kaempferol) and flavone 7-O-glycosides (based on luteolin and diosmetin) were of restricted distribution. Infraspecific variability regarding C-glycosylflavones was observed in most of the taxa investigated. By contrast, flavonol 3-O-glycosides appeared to be stable characters and were sometimes accumulated instead of C-glycosylflavones. In addition to the flavonoids, the geographical distribution patterns and the possible origin of the A. sibirica in Eastern Asia are briefly discussed.     

Flavonol glycosides acylated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid as systematic characters in Rosa

LC–UV–MS/MS analysis of leaf extracts from 146 accessions of 71 species of Rosa revealed that some taxa accumulated flavonol O-glycosides acylated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid, which are relatively uncommon in plants. The structures of two previously unrecorded examples isolated from Rosa spinosissima L. (syn. Rosa pimpinellifolia L.) were elucidated using spectroscopic and chemical methods as the 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[6-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)-β-d-galactopyranosides] of kaempferol (3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone) and quercetin (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavone). The corresponding 3-O-[6-O-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl)-β-d-galactopyranoside] of quercetin was also present in R. spinosissima, but at lower levels, together with 17 other flavonol O-glycosides for which structures were assigned using LC–UV–MS/MS. The distribution of flavonol 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylgalactosides in Rosa was limited to some species of subgenus Rosa section Pimpinellifoliae and Rosa roxburghii Sw. of the monotypic subgenus Platyrhodon, indicating that this character could be of value in phylogenetic analyses of the genus.     

Flavonoids of Abies amabilis needles

Seventeen flavonol glycosides were identified from needles of Abies amabilis and these were based on 6 aglycone types: syringetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, laricytrin and myricetin. Glycosides were 3-O-rutinosides, 3-O-glucosides, 3-O-galactosides or 3-O-rhamnosides. Also identified as needle constituents were rhamnosylvitexin and dihydroquercetin.     

Two flavonoid-specific malonyltransferases from cell suspension cultures of Petroselinum hortense: Partial purification and some properties of malonyl-coenzyme A: Flavone/flavonol-7-O-glycoside malonyltransferase and malonyl-coenzyme A: Flavonol-3-O-glucoside malonyltransferase

Two malonyltransferases were isolated from irradiated cell suspension cultures of parsley (Petroselinum hortense) and extensively purified. One enzyme was most active with flavone and flavonol 7-O-glycosides as substrates; the other enzyme preferentially malonylated flavonol 3-O-glucosides. The substrate specificity of the enzymes in vitro was in good agreement with the pattern of malonylated flavonoid glycosides occurring in the cell cultures in vivo. The apparent K_m values for the most efficient substrates, including the donor of the acyl residue, malonyl-CoA, were about 4–20 μm. Both malonyltransferases had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 50,000.     

Acylated flavonol glycosides and δ-truxinate derivative from the aerial parts of Lysimachia clethroides

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Lysimachia clethroides led to the isolation of a new acylated flavonol glycoside (1) and a new δ-truxinate derivative (2), together with three known acylated flavonol glycosides. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence as quercetin-3-O-β-d-(6-O-Z-p-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside (1) and monomethyl 3,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-δ-truxinate (2), respectively. All of the isolates were evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against aldose reductase.     

Flavonol glycosides of Phlomis spectabilis

Four flavonol glucosides, one new, have been isolated from a methanolic extract of Phlomis spectabilis. Their structures were established as the 3-glucosides and 3-(6″-(E)-p-coumaroyl)glucosides of kaempferol and of kaempferol 7,4′-dimethyl ether.     

Chemosystematic studies on certain species of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) in Egypt

The flavonoids of nine selected species belonging to different tribes of family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) native to Egypt were surveyed, viz. Rorippa palustris, Coronopus squamatus, Eremobium aegyptiacum, Moricandia nitens, Brassica tournefortii, Farsetia aegyptia, Matthiola livida, Anastatica hierochuntica and Sisymbrium irio. Thirty-eight compounds were isolated and identified, which included six flavonol aglycones, 24 flavonol glycosides including 14 flavonol 3,7-diglycosides, one flavone aglycone, three flavone O–glycosides, two glycoflavones and two dihydroflavonoids. A numerical analysis based on a combination of 97 morphological, anatomical and chemical characters revealed two series, two subseries, two clusters and two groups. The interrelationships between the studied species are discussed.     

Flavonoid glycoside accumulation trends of Achillea nobilis L. and related species

More than 50 collections of five species forming the Achillea nobilis group were analysed for their leaf flavonoid complement. Major accumulation trends were found to be C-glycosylflavones and flavonol 3-O-glycosides. The most common pattern consisted of the C-8-glycosylfiavones (vitexin and orientin), the C-6-glycosylflavone (isoörientin) together with minor amounts of di-C-glycosylapigenins and quercetin 3-O-glycosides. Additionally, C-6-glycosylflavones (isovitexin) and their 7-methyl ethers swertisin and swertiajaponin were sporadically accumulated, characterizing particularly two subspecies of A. nobilis. Whereas C-glycosylflavone dominated profiles were typical of most species, two taxa exhibited a flavonol dominated profile (A. ligustica; A. virescens p.p.). Regarding the infraspecific and interpopulational variations of flavonoid accumulation trends, their systematic and ecological significance is briefly discussed.     

Formation of UV-honey guides in Rudbeckia hirta

The UV-honey guides of Rudbeckia hirta were investigated by UV-photography, reflectance spectroscopy, LC-MS analysis and studies of the enzymes involved in the formation of the UV-absorbing flavonols present in the petals. It was shown for the first time that the typical bull’s eye pattern is already established at the early stages of flower anthesis on the front side of the petal surface, but is hidden to pollinators until the buds are open and the petals are unfolded. The rear side of the petals remains UV-reflecting during the whole flower anthesis. Studies on the local distribution of 19 flavonols across the petals confirmed that the majority are concentrated in the basal part of the ray flower. However, in contrast to the earlier studies, eupatolitin 3-O-glucoside (6,7-dimethoxyquercetin 3-O-glucoside) was present in both the basal and apical parts of the petals, whereas eupatolin (6,7-dimethoxyquercetin 3-O-rhamnoside) was exclusively found in the apical parts. The enzymes involved in the formation of the flavonols in R. hirta were demonstrated for the first time. These include a rare flavonol 6-hydroxylase, which was identified as cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase and did not accept any methylated flavonol as substrate. All enzymes were present in the basal and apical parts of the petals, although some of them clearly showed higher activities in the basal part. This indicates that the local accumulation of flavonols in R. hirta is not achieved by a locally restricted presence of the enzymes involved in flavonol formation.