A kaurene-type novel phytotoxic substance in Wedelia chinensis

摘要

Wedelia chinensis has been widely used as a traditional medicine and several bioactive compounds have been isolated. We investigated phytotoxic property and phytotoxic substances in the species. An aqueous methanol extract of W. chinensis inhibited the growth of roots and shoots of cress. The extracts were then purified by several chromatographic runs with monitoring the inhibitory activity and a phytotoxic substance was isolated. The substance was determined by spectral data to be a novel kaurene-type compound, wedelienone. Wedelienone inhibited the growth of cress and timothy (Phleum pratense L) at concentrations greater than 10-30 mu M. These results suggest that wedelienone may contribute to the phytotoxic effects caused by the extracts. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.