segetalin B

Description

Segetalin B, a cyclopentapeptide from Vaccaria segetalis, possesses estrogen-like activity.

Physical properties

Cyclic pentapeptide. Constit. of the seeds of Vaccaria segetalis (Caryophyllaceae).Needles.Mp 153-155°C.

Pharmacology

Examples of naturally occurring bioactive cyclopeptides are Segetalins A and B，which were isolated from Vaccaria segetalis (Caryophyllacea) and were shown to have estrogen-like activity. The seeds of Vaccaria segetalis are used in Chinese folk medicine to activate blood flow, to promote milk secretion, and to treat amenorrhea and breast infections. That Segetalin A and Segetalin B have the Try-Ala-Gly-Val (WAGV) sequence in common indicates this is the biologically active part of the molecules. NMR studies indicate,however,that the orientation of the Val residue is different in the molecules.The effect of this amino acid on the activity of the compounds might not be very important.