Natural Products Utilization Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR NUTRACEUTICAL USE, PEST MANAGEMENT AND CROP DEVELOPMENT

Location: Natural Products Utilization Research

Title: Podophyllotoxin concentration in Junipers in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming

Authors
item Zhelijazkov, Valtcho -
item Cantrell, Charles
item Donega, Mateus -
item Astatkie, Tess -

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2012
Publication Date: December 1, 2012
Citation: Zhelijazkov, V.D., Cantrell, C.L., Donega, M.A., Astatkie, T. 2012. Podophyllotoxin concentration in Junipers in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. HortScience. 47(12):1696-1697.

Interpretive Summary: Podophyllotoxin is a natural product used as a chemical precursor for the anti-cancer drugs etoposide and teniposide. These compounds, are used for the treatment of lung cancer, testicular cancer, neuroblastoma, hepatoma. Currently, there is a large international demand for podophyllotoxin. The objective of this study was to evaluate variations in podophyllotoxin concentrations in Juniperus species found in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. It was found that Juniperus species in the Big Horn Mountains included three species; J. communis L. (common juniper), J. horizontalis Moench. (creeping juniper) and J. scopulorum Sarg. (Rocky Mountain juniper). The range of concentrations in podophyllotoxin in J. horizontalis and J. scopulorum in the Big Horn Mountains were within the range or (in case of J. horizontalis), much higher than the ones reported previously for J. virginiana. This is the first report on podophyllotoxin in J. horizontalis. The concentrations of podophyllotoxin in some accessions of J. horizontalis were twice as high as the ones reported previously for any other Junipers. This study demonstrated that Juniperus species in the Big Horn Mountains have a potential to be used as a source for podophyllotoxin.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate variations in podophyllotoxin concentrations in Juniperus species found in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. It was found that Juniperus species in the Big Horn Mountains included three species; J. communis L. (common juniper), J. horizontalis Moench. (creeping juniper) and J. scopulorum Sarg. (Rocky Mountain juniper). Of these species, none of the 36 accessions of J. communis contained detectable amounts of podophyllotoxin. All accessions of J. scopulorum but one contained podophyllotoxin. Podophyllotoxin concentration in J. horizontalis and J. scopulorum did not correlate to the elevation of the selection sites. The concentration of podophyllotoxin in J. scopulorum ranged from 0 to 0.40 %, while the concentration of podophyllotoxin in in J. horizontalis ranged from 0.27 to 0.73 %. Overall, J. horizontalis accessions in the Big Horn Mountains showed higher concentration of podophyllotoxin than the one in J. scopulorum. The range of concentrations in podophyllotoxin in J. horizontalis and J. scopulorum in the Big Horn Mountains were within the range or (in case of J. horizontalis), much higher than the ones reported previously for J. virginiana. This is the first report on podophyllotoxin in J. horizontalis. The concentrations of podophyllotoxin in some accessions of J. horizontalis were twice as high as the ones reported previously for any other Junipers. This study demonstrated that Juniperus species in the Big Horn Mountains have a potential to be used as a source for podophyllotoxin.

   

 
Project Team
Rimando, Agnes
Duke, Stephen
Wedge, David
Meepagala, Kumudini
Cantrell, Charles
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
Related Projects
   MODE OF ACTION OF ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY, IDENTIFICATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUND AND MICROPROPAGATION OF SERVICEBERRY (AMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA)
   SCUTELLARIA AS A MEDICINAL CROP: CRYOPRESERVATION, HAIRY ROOT CULTURE, ORGANIC FARMING AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY
   TECHNOLOGY FOR DISCOVERY OF NOVEL PLANT-DERIVED FUNGICIDES AND BIOPESTICIDES FOR US AND CHINESE AGRICULTURE
   DEPLOYED WARFIGHTER PROTECTION RESEARCH PROGRAM (FY2012)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/23/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House