Bioconversion of rhododendrol by Acer nikoense

Abstract

Callus derived from Acer nikoense tissue contained the same compounds as the parent plants, but (+)-rhododendrol, which has hepatoprotective activity, was not detected in the methanol extract of the callus. Cells in suspension culture converted (RS)-rhododendrol into (RS)-rhododendrol 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and (R)-rhododendrol2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranoside. This is the first time that the latter compound has been isolated from a natural source. © 1995.