Distribution of Benzylisoquinolines in Magnoliidae and Other Taxa

Previous Articles Next Articles

Distribution of Benzylisoquinolines in Magnoliidae and Other Taxa

Zhu Min, Xiao Pei-Gen

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1991-03-10 Published:1991-03-10
Contact: Zhu Min

Abstract

Abstract:

Based on the analysis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids of 323 samples in 11 fami-

lies, 50 genera and 181 species of the Chinese flora discussed in this paper are the biogenesis,

evolution, distribution pattern and botanical sources as well as the pharmacological action of

this specific category of alkaloids.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids are found mainly in Magnoliidae, in which aporphines,

bisbenzylisoquinolines and protoberberines are the three major types of the alkaloids. More

specifically, aporphines appeare more concentrated in primitive woody plants such as the

Annonaceae, while bisbenzylisoquinolines are especially common in the Menispermaceae,

Thalictrum (the Ranunculaceae) and Berberis (the Berberidaceae). As to protoberberines, the

quaternary ones occur mainly in the families Ranunculaceae and Berberidaceae, whereas the

tertiary ones mainly in the relatively advanced families Menispermaceae and Papaveraceae

within Magnoliidae.

As a whole, a general rule can be drawn that the simpler the chemical structure of the

benzylisoquinolines is, the more widely they are distributed in primitive groups; more specific

ones only have a limited distribution in more advanced groups or even within one family or

one to several genera. This general pattern of distribution of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in

plants may be of value as a taxonomic criterion for plant systematics.

Furthermore, this group of alkaloids covers the gamut of pharmacologic responses, such

as the antibacterial effect and the effect to cardiovascular and nervous systems, and

consequently the correlation between benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and their pharmacologic

activities within Magnoliidae may worthily be applied for the finding of new drugs.

Key words: Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, Magnoliidae, Chemotaxonomy

Zhu Min, Xiao Pei-Gen. Distribution of Benzylisoquinolines in Magnoliidae and Other Taxa[J]. .

[1]	XIAO Pei-Gen, WANG Feng-Peng, GAO Feng, YAN Lu-Ping, CHEN Dong-Lin, LIU Yong. A pharmacophylogenetic study of Aconitum L. (Ranunculaceae) from China α [J]. , 2006, 23(1): 1-3.
[2]	SONG Zhan-Qian, LIANG Zhi-Qin, LIU Xing. Chemical Characteristics of Oleoresin from Pinus bungeana Zucc. and Its Taxonomic Implication [J]. , 1998, 36(6): 511-514.
[3]	Hu Mei, Xiao Pei-Gen. Chemotaxonomic Study of Rhododendron [J]. , 1992, 30(3): 226-238.
[4]	Huang Yuan-Zheng, Chen Shu-Qun, He Chung-Ying, Chen Quan-You, Wu Yun-Lun. A Study on Chemical Components of Essential Oils from Citrus bergamia and Its Close Relatives and Its Taxonomy [J]. , 1992, 30(3): 239-244.
[5]	Zhu Min, Xiao Pei-Gen. Chemosystematic Studies on Thalictrum L. in China [J]. , 1991, 29(4): 358-369.
[6]	Ma Zhong-Wu, He Guan-Fu, Yin Wan-Fen, Pan Jiong-Guang, Xu Zhi-Ling. Study on Essential Oil Composition in Leaves of Pseudotaxus chienii (Cheng) Cheng and Its Chemotaxonomy [J]. , 1991, 29(1): 67-70.
[7]	Chen Xiao-Ya, Liu Qi-Xin. Chemotaxonomic Studies in Ferula of China on the Basis of Flavonoids [J]. , 1989, 27(3): 184-189.
[8]	Tao Guang-Fu, Zhong Yang. Study on Numerical Chemotaxonomy of Cinnamomum in Hubei Province [J]. , 1988, 26(6): 409-417.
[9]	But Paul Pui-Hay, Kong Yun-Cheung, Li Qian, Chang Hong-Ta, Chang Kiaw-Lan, Wong Khoon-Meng, Gray Alex,er I., Waterman Peter G.. Chemotaxonomic Relationship Between Murraya and Merrillia (Rutaceae) [J]. , 1988, 26(3): 205-210.
[10]	But Paul Pui-Hay, Kong Yun-Cheng, Ng Kam-Hung, Chang Hung-Ta, Li Qian, Yu Si-Xao, Waterman Peter G.. A Chemotaxonomic Study of Murraya (Rutaceae) in China [J]. , 1986, 24(3): 186-192.
[11]	Hao Xiao-Jiang, Yang Chong-Ren, Chen Sze-Ying, Zhou Jun. The Chemotaxonomy of Chinese Species of the Genus Aconitum L. (Ranunculaceae) [J]. , 1985, 23(5): 321-335.

Distribution of Benzylisoquinolines in Magnoliidae and Other Taxa

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

References

Related Articles 11

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments