Bioassay-directed isolation and identification of phytotoxic and fungitoxic acetylenes from Conyza canadensis

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jun 13;60(23):5893-8. doi: 10.1021/jf3010367. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist syn. (horseweed) is a problematic and invasive weed with reported allelopathic properties. To identify the phytotoxic constituents of the aerial parts, a systematic bioactivity-guided fractionation of the dichloromethane extract was performed. Three active enyne derivatives, (2Z,8Z)-matricaria acid methyl ester, (4Z,8Z)-matricaria lactone, and (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone, were identified. The lactones inhibited growth of the monocot Agrostis stolonifera (bentgrass) and the dicot Lactuca sativa (lettuce) at 1 mg mL(-1), while the (2Z,8Z)-matricaria acid methyl ester was less active. In a dose-response screening of the lactones for growth inhibitory activity against Lemna paucicostata , (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone was the most active with an IC50 of 104 μM, while the (4Z,8Z)-matricaria lactone was less active (IC50 of 220 μM). In a fungal direct bioautography assay, the two lactones at 10 and 100 μg/spot inhibited growth of the plant pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum acutatum , Colletotrichum fragariae , and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides . In a dose-response screening of the lactones against six different plant pathogenic fungi, (4Z,8Z)-matricaria lactone was more active than the commercial fungicide azoxystrobin on Col. acutatum , Col. fragariae , and Col. gloeosporioides at 30 μM and about as active as the commercial fungicide captan against Col. gloeosporioides , while (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone was less active.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agrostis / drug effects
  • Agrostis / growth & development
  • Alkynes / analysis*
  • Alkynes / isolation & purification
  • Alkynes / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / analysis*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Araceae / drug effects
  • Araceae / growth & development
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Chemical Fractionation
  • Colletotrichum / drug effects
  • Colletotrichum / growth & development
  • Conyza / chemistry*
  • Lactones / analysis
  • Lactuca / drug effects
  • Lactuca / growth & development
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Polyynes / analysis

Substances

  • (2Z,8Z)-matricaria acid methyl ester
  • Alkynes
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Lactones
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyynes