ARYLTETRALIN LIGNANS FROM LINUM-FLAVUM AND LINUM-CAPITATUM

Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extracts from Linum flavum, L. flavum compactum and L. capitatum has demonstrated their capability of producing and storing relatively large amounts of cytotoxic aryltetralin lignans structurally related to podophyllotoxin. 5-Methoxypodophyllotoxin, its glucoside and acetate are the main constituents of both roots and stem/leaves of L. flavum and L. flavum compactum, the roots containing up to 3.5% dry weight of these compounds. Althogh 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin and its glucoside were also found in L. capitatum roots, stem/leaves were shown to produce α- and β-peltatins and their 5-O-glucosides. Coniferyl alcohol and coniferin were present in all three plants. © 1990.