Isolation and identification of three potential phytotoxic compounds from Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin

We conducted an investigation to search for the possibility of phytotoxic compounds and then identify them in C. aciculatus. The aqueous methanol extracts of C. aciculatus imposed a strong suppressive effect on the shoots and roots growth of Medicago sativa and Echinochloa crus-galli. The C. aciculatus extracts were subsequently purified through chromatography and three growth-inhibitory compounds were identified by spectral data as methyl cis-p-coumarate, methyl trans-p-coumarate, and trans-ferulaldehyde. The seedlings growth of Lepidium sativum was suppressed by methyl cis-p-coumarate, methyl trans-p-coumarate, and trans-ferulaldehyde. The I₅₀ values (concentration required for 50% growth inhibition) for the seedling growth of L. sativum ranged from 1.25 to 1.73 mM for methyl cis-p-coumarate, 0.74 to 1.23 mM for methyl trans-p-coumarate, and 1.05 to 1.84 mM for trans-ferulaldehyde. Our finding indicates that methyl cis-p-coumarate, methyl trans-p-coumarate, and trans-ferulaldehyde may contribute to the phytotoxic effects of C. aciculatus.