The Alkaloid Brachycerine is Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation and is a Singlet Oxygen Quencher
The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on chlorophyll content and accumulation of the anti-inflammatory monoterpene-indole alkaloid brachycerine in plants and calli of Psychotria brachyceras (Rubiaceae) were investigated. In this study, we also investigated a protective role for brachycerine agai...
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Published in | Photochemistry and photobiology Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 470 - 474 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.11.2003
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on chlorophyll content and accumulation of the anti-inflammatory monoterpene-indole alkaloid brachycerine in plants and calli of Psychotria brachyceras (Rubiaceae) were investigated. In this study, we also investigated a protective role for brachycerine against stress conditions. Calli and tip cuttings incubated in nutrient media were daily supplemented with 4 or 16 h of UV. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses of methanolic extracts showed only traces of brachycerine in irradiated aseptic cultures, with no alkaloid being observed in control calli. In cuttings, a 10-fold increase in brachycerine content was seen after exposure for 16 h to UV-C, whereas a 4 h daily supplementation doubled the amount of the alkaloid in leaves. Exposure to a UV-B source also doubled the alkaloid yield. In vitro brachycerine was able to quench singlet oxygen. The data indicate a potential protective role for brachycerine against UV radiation, acting as a UV filter (absorption peaks are within the UV range) and a reactive oxygen species scavenger. In addition, UV radiation may be used to increase yields of this compound of pharmaceutical interest. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0031-8655 1751-1097 |
DOI: | 10.1562/0031-8655(2003)078<0470:TABIIB>2.0.CO;2 |