title: Isolation of phytotoxic compounds from tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima swingle).
abstract: The aqueous root extract of Ailanthus altissima showed allelopathic activity against radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. "Saxa"), garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) seeds. A bioassay-oriented purification of active extracts, chromatographic fractions, and compounds demonstrated dose-dependent activity on germination and radicle growth of test seeds; radish seed was the most sensitive to allelochemicals. Active compounds have been isolated: ailanthone, ailanthinone, chaparrine, and ailanthinol B (quassinoid derivatives); the alkaloid 1-methoxycanthin-6-one is not active. The compound with greatest inhibitory activity is ailanthone. The data obtained suggest a possible use of tree-of-heaven root extracts or of its active constituents as natural herbicides.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy. defeo@unisa.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quaranta
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pizza
mesh_terms: D032268:Ailanthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D001681:Biological Assay; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D006540:Herbicides / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D029686:Lepidium / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D031822:Portulaca / Q000187:drug effects; D036702:Quassins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D031224:Raphanus / Q000187:drug effects; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D006540:Herbicides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D036702:Quassins; C029825:ailanthone