Structure elucidation and phytotoxicity of ecdysteroids from Chenopodium album.

The leaves of Chenopodium album were infused in H2O/MeOH. The extract treated with cold acetone gave heavy precipitation, which was removed by centrifugation. Solid material was fractionated into acidic and neutral fractions. The acidic material was subjected to different silica-gel column chromatographies, and then it was purified by reversed-phase HPLC to afford four known ecdysteroids and the new 3beta,14alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-pregn-7-ene-2,6,20-trione that were characterized by extensive spectroscopic investigation, especially by 1D- and 2D-NMR. Their effects on germination and growth of Lactuca sativa L. have been studied. The results are reported as percentage differences of germination, root elongation and shoot elongation, from the control at concentrations ranging from 10(-4) to 10(-7) M.