An unusual metabolite, dihydroechinofuran, released from cultured cells of Lithospermum erythrorhizon
摘要:
Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell suspension cultures in a growth medium produced no shikonin but an unusual metabolite, dihydroechinofuran (2-[4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl]-1,4-benzoquinone), which is thought to be derived from geranylhydroquinone, a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of shikonin. This new compound was mostly released from the cells into the medium.