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Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
Published on: August 16, 2018
Repin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Acroptilon repens possessing exceptional biological activity
K L Stevens1, R J Riopelle, R Y Wong
1United States Department of Agriculture, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California 94710.
Journal of Natural Products
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Russian knapweed consumption causes neural cell death in horses. Researchers investigated repin, a toxic compound in the plant, to understand its link to equine neurological disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Toxicology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) ingestion by horses leads to nigropallidial encephalomalacia, characterized by substantia nigra neural cell necrosis.
- Repin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Russian knapweed, exhibits significant toxicity to chick embryo sensory neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structural characteristics of repin, a toxic compound implicated in equine neurological disease.
- To establish a potential causal link between repin and equine nigropallidial encephalomalacia.
Main Methods:
- X-ray crystallography was employed for detailed structural determination of repin.
- Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy was utilized for structural analysis.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive structural assignment of repin was achieved through combined X-ray and 1H-NMR analyses.
- The structural data provides a foundation for understanding repin's mechanism of toxicity.
Conclusions:
- The detailed structural elucidation of repin supports its role as a causative agent in equine nigropallidial encephalomalacia.
- Further research into repin's toxicological mechanisms is warranted for developing preventative strategies against Russian knapweed poisoning in horses.
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