葫芦素的生态功能及其应用前景

Ecological function and prospects for utilization of cucurbitacins

葫芦素是一类高度氧化的四环三萜类植物次生代谢物质,是葫芦科30多属100多种植物的特征化合物。葫芦素在植物体内作为异源化学信息素起到保护葫芦科植物免受众多植食性动物和病原菌的侵害。另一方面,在葫芦科植物上取食的一些昆虫则利用葫芦素作为其寄主识别的信号物质。由于葫芦素特殊的化学结构和生物学活性,葫芦科植物与植食性动物之间的这种复杂关系已被广泛研究。总结葫芦素的分布、生物合成途径、及其对高等动物、昆虫和病原体的防御作用的研究概况。并对这类植物次生物质在有害生物综合治理中的应用及前景作了介绍与展望。

The cucurbitacins,as the secondary metabolites,were the oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoids which produced from the family Cucurbitaceae.More than 100 species from about 30 genera generate such peculiar secondary metabolites.As the bitter and toxic allomones,cucurbitacins protect the plants from the attack by a variety of herbivores and pathogen.On the other hand,as the kairomones,cucurbitacins attract phytophagous insects to the host plants.The complex relationship between the Cucurbitaceae plants and the herbivores,which based on the special chemical properties and biological activities of cucurbitacins,has been widely studied.In this review,we summarized the distribution,the chemical structures and the biosynthesis of cucurbitacins.The defense mechanism of Cucurbitaceae plants against herbivores and pathogen by cucurbitacins was focused.Moreover,the benefit and the future prospect of applicating the cucurbitacins in integrated pest management were discussed.