PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Flores y hojas.

ACCION FARMACOLOGICA= Pharmacological action: Astringente (flores y hojas), emoliente.

ZONA GEOGRAFICA= Geografical zone: Brasil y N. de Argentina.

DIVERSIDAD GENÉTICA Y MEJORAMIENTO DE PLANTAS MEDICINALES= Medicinal plants and improvement of medicinal herbs:

Catalpol was isolated from Buddleja cordobensis and 8-O-acetylharpagide from Ajuga reptans. Seveal derivs. were prepd. Growth inhibitory activities and nutritional indexes of catalpol, 8-O-acetylharpagide and harpagide were detd. in larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum, resp.  Catalpol produced a series of allelochem. effects probably related with the DNA synthesis.  This iridoid possessed the highest inhibitory activity against DNA polymerase.  MO calcns. suggest that a p-p charge transfer recognition model could explain the action of iridioids toward nucleic acid synthesis.  

1) TOURSARKISSIAN, Martín. Plantas medicinales de Argentina : sus nombres botánicos, vulgares, usos y distribución geográfica. Buenos Aires : Hemisferio Sur, 1980, p.77.

2) Pungitore, Carlos R., et al. Iridoids as allelochemicals and DNA polymerase.  inhibitors.  Journal of Natural Products. 2004, vol.67, nº3, p.357-361.