A NEW INSECT MOULTING HORMONE PHYTOECDYSTERONE TAXISTERONE – B FROM THE ROOTS OF TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA(LINN)

A new phytoecdysterone has been isolated from Trichosanthes Cucumerina Line (Cucurbitaceae), which exhibits strong moulting activity. On the basis of chemical and physico-chemical evidences,it has been identified as; 3 epi-22 deoxy –ecdysterone (I). This is the first example of the presence of naturally occurring insect moulting hormone in this plant . Key words: Phytoecdysterone,moulting activity,hormone,physico – chemical Trichosanthes Cucumerina is credited to reputed therapeutic value1,2 and some steroidal constituents have already been isolated from the fruits and roots of this plant,3,4 therefore the leaves of T. cucumerina were investigated resulting in the discovery of a new phyto - ecdystrone