valmane and didrovaltrate

Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil that accumulates valepotriates, which are terpene derivatives, in all of its organs. Valepotriates are the presumed sedative generic components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana. The influence of various concentrations of the auxins indole-3-acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid on the growth of micropropagated V. glechomifolia was investigated under conditions of transient and continuous exposure. Changes in the development of roots and shoots as well as the production of the valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate (analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography) were evaluated. The best performance in valepotriate production, growth and survival under ex vitro conditions following plant acclimatization was achieved in the continuous presence of 5.71 microM IAA. When cultured in medium containing IAA plants produced stable levels of valepotriates throughout the entire cultivation period.

Topics: Acclimatization; Indoleacetic Acids; Indoles; Iridoids; Naphthaleneacetic Acids; Plant Roots; Plant Shoots; Valerian

Valtrate, DIA-valtrate, acevaltrate, 1-beta-acevaltrate and didrovaltrate have been quantitatively estimated by reversed-phase HPLC in the leaves, flowers, stems and roots of Valeriana glechomifolia Meyer, V. catharinensis Graebn., V. chamaedryfolia Cham. & Schltdl., V. eichleriana (C.A.Mull.) Graebn., V. polysthachya Smith, V. scandens L., V. eupatoria Sobral, V. salicariifolia Vahl and V. tajuvensis Sobral. All plants presented valepotriates being V. glechomifolia the richest one, followed by V. eupatoria, V. eichleriana and V. tajuvensis.

Topics: Brazil; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Iridoids; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Roots; Plant Stems; Pyrans; Valerian