title: Venusol from Gunnera perpensa: structural and activity studies.
abstract: From the aqueous extract of the dry rhizomes of Gunnera perpensa the minor components pyrogallol, succinic acid, lactic acid, and the trimethyl ether of ellagic acid glucoside were isolated. The major constituent was identified as Z-venusol, a phenylpropanoid glucoside. Its structure was verified by X-ray diffraction. Tests on isolated uterine smooth muscle from rats showed that the whole extract stimulated a direct contractile response and induced a state of continuous contractility of the uterus once all additives had been removed from the organ bath. By contrast, venusol did not trigger the direct contractile response but induced the state of continuous contractility once the organ bath was flushed.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Physical Sciences (Chemistry), University of Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Xolani K
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: Rod M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katsoulis
authors.forename: Ronette
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gehring
authors.forename: Orde Q
authors.initials: OQ
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: Fanie R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: van Heerden
authors.forename: Siegfried E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Drewes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D005260:Female; D006027:Glycosides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006027:Glycosides; D010120:Oxytocics; D010666:Phenylpropionates; C421562:venusol