Abstract
Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde belongs to the genus Macleaya, family Papaveraceae. Together with the better known and more frequently studied species M. cordata (Willd.) R. Br. it is a main source of quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids. Using HPLC we determined the content of eight isoquinoline alkaloids in the aerial and underground parts of 1-, 2-, 12- and 13-year old plants and followed their changes during the vegetative period. The dominant alkaloid of all samples collected in the end of this period was allocryptopine (3.8–13.6 mg/g for aerial parts, 24.2–48.9 mg/g for underground parts). Chelerythrine, sanguinarine and protopine were also present in both parts of the plant. Additionally, measurable concentrations of chelilutine (CL), chelirubine (CR), macarpine (MA) and sanguirubine (SR) were detected in underground parts. The most important finding was that contents of CR, CL, SR and MA in the 12- and 13-year old plant roots were significantly higher (approximately 3-fold for CR, 6-fold for CL, 5-fold for SR, and at least 14-fold for MA) than in 1- or 2-year old plants. The proportion of individual alkaloids in aerial and underground parts thus changed significantly during the vegetative period.
Highlights
Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde belongs, together with better known and more frequently studied species M. cordata (Willd.) R
We determined the content of isoquinoline alkaloids in aerial parts of 1-year, 2-year, 12- and 13year old cultures of M. microcarpa
The content of SA and CHE is considerable in the roots, for production of SA and CHE the aerial parts are unequivocally more suitable
Summary
Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde belongs, together with better known and more frequently studied species M. cordata (Willd.) R. The genus Macleaya is classified in the closely related genus Bocconia by some authors, that genus only comprises woody plants (trees and shrubs) from tropical and subtropical areas of North and South America [1], whereas M. microcarpa is a perennial herb whose origin is in central China. Its appearance is very similar to M. cordata. Stems are 0.8-1 m high, usually grey to olive green colored, glaucous, smooth, hollow, much branched in inflorescence. Alternate leaves with 4-11 cm long petiole are attractively lobed, blade glaucous abaxially and green adaxially. Flowers are small, ochre to copper colored and make up to 30 cm long soft branch panicles. The plant requires a moist, rich and well-drained soil, preferring half-shade [2]
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