ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
β-Asarone
;
bioactivation
;
MFO's
;
Peridroma saucia
;
Acorus calamus
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Toxic plant allelochemicals are widespread in nature, but their mechanisms of action are largely unexplored. We report an example of bioactivation of a natural product, β-asarone, that is mediated via insect mixed-function oxidases (MFO's), enzymes usually involved in detoxication processes. Bioactivity of β-asarone is synergised by menthol, a MFO inducer, and antagonized by the MFO inhibitor piperonyl butoxide. Formation of a bioactive epoxide was confirmed by the identification of asarone epoxide and asarone diol in the insect excreta. These experiments represent the first demonstration of synergism between two natural products (β-asarone and menthol) where the mechanism involves induction of enzymes usually involved in detoxication.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01940681
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