Myrislignan, a growth inhibitor from the roots of citronella grass

Abstract

A phytotoxic compound was isolated from the root extracts of Cymbopogon nardus by bioassay-guided purification and characterized to be myrislignan. Myrislignan significantly inhibited seedling growth of cress at a concentration greater than 100 μM (p < 0.05). The concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition of myrislignan on hypocotyl and root growth of cress were 429 μM and 517 μM, respectively. The inhibition on seedling growth indicated that myrislignan had a phytotoxic activity and may contribute to the phytotoxic effect of C. nardus.