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DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-971723
© Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart
Biosynthesis of Cucurbitacins in Bryonia dioica Seedlings
Publication History
Publication Date:
29 March 2007 (online)
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Abstract
The biosynthesis of cucurbitacins during the seed germination of Bryonia dioica was studied by analysis of the cucurbitacin-triterpenoid fraction and by tracer experiments with acetate-[2-14C]. Isolation of 10α-cucurbita-5,24-dien-3β-ol (9a), the simplest tetracyclic triterpene with a cucurbitane skeleton, supports the view that (9a) is the general precursor of cucurbitacins. Moreover, following the tracer experiments, cucurbitacin E (1a) was the first cucurbitacin formed, whereas the less oxygenated bryodulcosigenin (4a) was not detectable during germination of the plant.
In the course of the present investigation, a new pentacyclic triterpene, isomultiflorenol (11a) (possible precursor of bryonolic acid (5a)), was also isolated.
Key Word Index
Bryonia dioica - Cucurbitaceae - Cucurbitacins - Triterpenes - Biosynthesis