Phytotoxic Terpenoids from Ligularia cymbulifera Roots
Jia Chen1, Guowei Zheng2, Yu Zhang3
1The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesUrumqi, China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunming, China; Graduate School of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|January 26, 2017
Summary
Two novel eremophilane sesquiterpenes were isolated from Ligularia cymbulifera roots. These compounds, along with other terpenoids, exhibit phytotoxic activities, potentially explaining the plant
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Plant Ecology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Ligularia cymbulifera dominates the Hengduan Mountains, reducing forage grass.
- The mechanism behind L. cymbulifera's ecological dominance is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical constituents of L. cymbulifera roots.
- To determine the phytotoxic potential and ecological role of isolated compounds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and structural elucidation of compounds using spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction.
- Assay of phytotoxic activities against Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Detection and quantification in rhizosphere soil using UHPLC-MS.
Main Results:
- Two novel eremophilane sesquiterpenes, ligulacymirin A and B, were identified alongside seven known terpenoids.
- All isolated compounds demonstrated phytotoxic effects on Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Compound 3 exhibited potent inhibition of seedling growth and seed germination, with significant soil concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Terpenoids from L. cymbulifera roots are released into the rhizosphere.
- These released terpenoids act as phytotoxins, inhibiting the growth of neighboring plants.
- This phytotoxicity contributes to the ecological dominance of L. cymbulifera in its native habitat.
