EFFECTS OF SOME COMPOUNDS ISOLATED FROM CELAENODENDRON-MEXICANUM-STANDL (EUPHORBIACEAE) ON SEEDS AND PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

The known compounds friedelin, maytensifolin B, ginkgetin, bilobetin, and amentoflavone as well as the new triterpene 3-beta-hydroxyfriedelan-16-one were isolated from Celaenodendron mexicanum (Euphorbiaceae), an endemic tree of the Pacific Ocean coast of Mexico. The compounds' structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis. The biological effects of aqueous leachates, a CHCl3-MeOH extract and the isolated compounds of leaves and twigs were evaluated on the radicle growth of two plants, Amaranthus leucocarpus and Echinochloa crusgalli, and on the radial growth of three phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium sp., Helminthosporium sp., and Alternaria sp. The organic extracts of both leaves and twigs inhibited Amaranthus and stimulated Echinochloa radicle growth. On the contrary, friedelin and maytensifolin B stimulated Amaranthus and inhibited Echinochloa. The target fungi showed a different response to each treatment, from inhibition to stimulation.