title: Phytotoxic activities of (2R)-6-hydroxytremetone.
abstract: Benzofurans are bioactive compounds isolated from the Asteraceae family. Benzofuran derivatives have been extensively studied because of their toxic effects on humans and animals. The phytotoxic activity of the benzofuran derivative (2R)-6-hydroxytremetone was studied on germination, seedling development, and cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on monocotyledoneous (onion and wheat) and dicotyledoneous (lettuce and tomato) species. Results of these assays demonstrated that (2R)-6-hydroxytremetone is a potent germination inhibitor of onion, lettuce, and tomato seeds. Germination reductions of approximately 80% were measured when seeds were exposed to 100 mg l(-1) of the compound, and showed considerably effects on the posterior development of the sprouts, including rootlets and hypocotyl elongations. Moreover, this benzofuran derivative also significantly reduced the root length and mitotic division of Allium cepa bulbs, although DNA damages were not observed. Our findings suggest that a mechanism of mitosis inhibition may play a role in the phytotoxic effects of plants producing these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Ayacucho 471, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
authors.forename: Elida
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Ana B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Raschi
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jaime
authors.forename: Mario A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fortuna
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Alba M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Benavente
mesh_terms: D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019697:Onions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: C097022:6-hydroxytremetone; D001578:Benzopyrans; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts