Phytochemistry. 2003 Sep; 64(2): 385-93.

Terpenoids in Buddleja: relevance to chemosystematics, chemical ecology and biological activity.

Houghton PJ, Mensah AY, Iessa N, Hong LY.

Pharmacognosy Research Laboratories, Department of Pharmacy, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN, UK. peter.houghton@kcl.ac.uk

The terpenoids reported from Buddleja species are described. The antifungal activity of chloroform extracts of B. cordata and B. davidii stembark against the soil fungi Fusarium culmorum and Sordari fimicola is reported, with buddledin A shown to be the major compound responsible. The terpenoids present support the view that the Buddlejaceae should be classified in a taxon with Scrophulariaceae rather than Loganiaceae. Ecological aspects of the terpenoids are considered in relation to insects and soil fungi and the role of terpenoids in the chemical basis of the use of Buddleja in traditional medicine is also discussed, especially with regard to their anti-inflammatory properties.