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Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle – a terrible invasive

pest in Bulgaria or potential useful medicinal plant? Review paper

Ekaterina Kožuharova1, Hristina Lebanova2, Ilko Getov2, Niko Benbassat1, Vladimir Kochmarov3

1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University,

Sofia, Bulgaria 2Department of Social pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Sofia,

Bulgaria

*e-mail: ina_kozuharova@yahoo.co.uk ABSTRACT

According to DAISIE, (2009) Ailanthus altissima is one of the three taxa together with Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Robinia pseudacacia which are considered among the 100 most invasive alien species in Europe. It is a major threat for many endemic, rare or endangered plants and animals and their habitats in Bulgaria. The aim of this paper is to review the scientific studies on secondary compounds and pharmacological activity of this invasive plant species. Being so invasive and mass spread all over the country Ailanthus altissima could be regarded as a rich and cheap resource to utilize. The knowledge about its medicinal properties is a potential background for a possible approach to restrict its populations. Key words Ailanthus altissima, invasive, ethnopharmacology, secondary compounds

INTRODUCTION Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle or known as well as tree-of-heaven is deciduous

tree, up to 20 m tall. Its bark is smooth and straightly grained. It has branches with pith, yellow or yellow-brown pubescent when young, then glabrescent. The leaves are odd-pinnate, 40-60 cm; petiole 7-13 cm; leaflets 13-27, opposite or nearly so; blades ovate-lanceolate, abaxially dark green, adaxially gray-green, smelly when rubbed. Inflorencesece are panicles of 10-30 cm long. Flowers are light green sitting on short pedicel 1-2.5 mm. Sepals are 5, imbricate, 0.5-1 mm. Petals are 5, 2-2.5 mm, base hispid. Stamens are 10; filaments densely hispid basally, longer than petals in males, shorter than petals in females; anthers oblong, ca. 1 mm. Carpels are 5; styles connate; stigmas 5-lobed. Samarium is oblong, 3-4.5 × 1-1.2 cm. Seed in middle of wing, flat-globose. Blooms in April – May and fruits mature in August - October. Sometimes A. altissima Swingle is referred as the synonym A. glandulosa Desf. (Hua Peng & Thomas 2008).

The populations of Ailanthus altissima invading Bulgaria have (count is from sample collected in Valley of Strouma river) 2n = 64, same as the ones from Slovakian localities (Ivanova et al. 2006).

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214 Pretoria, South Africa

Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe project

(DAISIE) DAISIE (Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe) is not only a

project acronym, it also represents the consortium of 83 partners and 99 collaborators and their joint effort. According to Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe it is one of the three taxa together with Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Robinia pseudacacia

which are considered among the 100 most invasive alien species in Europe (DAISIE 2009). Interestingly members of genus Ailanthus (Ailanthus tardensis) have been presented in the Tertiary vegetation of Eastern and Central Europe (Hungary and Slovenia) at early-Oligocene age (Erdei et al. 2012). There are sporadic data that Ailanthus sp. has been at that time in the Rhodopes as well, where evergreen palaeotropical elements prevailed in some of the plant community while deciduous, arctotertiary components (Platanus, Ulmus, and Ailanthus) were of minor importance (Bozukov et al. 2009). However after glaciations Ailanthus has not been autochthonous taxon of the plant communities in Bulgaria (Tonkov 1985, Filipova 1986, Atanassova 1990, Panovska 1993, Lazarova 1994, Bozilova & Beug 1992, Bozilova 2001)

Ailanthus altissima in Bulgaria As far as the invasion of Ailanthus altissima is a recent event the Bulgarian human

population has not a tradition to utilize it and thus to become a factor that might decrease its abundance. However human activity is often a dramatic factor that decreases the populations of many biological species. In few cases it might influence invasive species. A parallel could be done with a marine invertebrate Rapana thomasiana. It has been

demonstrated that commercial utilization of invasive species might be a factor that decreases its number (Düzgünes 1992, Prodanov 1995). The dynamics of the catches of the most important and valuable species in the Bulgarian Black Sea shelf zone indicates an upward trend in recent years. The only species with sustainable stock is sprat (of the fish species) and the sea snail - Rapana thomasiana (of the molluscs, Eurofish 2005).

Objectives of the study The aim of this paper is to review publications in order

• to trace the problems which this plant causes in Bulgaria for the natural habitats,

• to evaluate the hazard • to reveal possible uses of this abundant resource and thus • to find application that might reduce its populations.

Ecological issues - records for negative effect on different

members of the ecosystems Specific flora and vegetation are threatened by the invasive Tree of Heaven

Ailanthus altissima due to its impact on the habitats. The natural pasture and grassland vegetation is replaced by bushes and dense low forests formed by Tree of Heaven (Peev et al. 2009, Uzunov et al. 2012). In some places the serpentine flora and vegetation in the Central Rhodopes mountains, Southern Bulgaria are depressed (Pavlova 2004, 2005). Many endemic and endangered higher plants have threats such as replacement of the primary grassy vegetation with agricultural land and forest plantations; settlement enlargement; abandonment of the pastures and meadows leading to enlargement of the forest areas, including enlargement of the areas covered by the invasive species Ailanthus

altissima - critically endangered Gypsophila tekirae and other rare species adapted to grassland habitats such as Anemone sylvestris, Centaurea marschalliana, Hieracium

virosum, Peucedanum ruthenicum, Centranthus kellereri, Dianthus palidiflorus,

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Frankenia pulverilenta, Verbascum purpureum etc. (Grozeva 2005, Peev et al. 2009, Vladimirov 2011, Vladimirov et al. 2012). It has been shown that bryophytes in sertain plant communities are under threat due to change of the biocenoses caused by Ailanthus

altissima (Natcheva & Ganeva 2006). Although it is just a new nesting site for some birds (Antonov et al. 2007) the feed back for them is just to be studied as the food resources are another important point beside the nesting. It has been shown that for many herbivorous insects the change of the natural specific grassland communities to Ailanthus altissima

shrubs and forest has definitely negative impact (Abadjiev & Beshkov 2007). At the same time it is a hazard for pest dispersal. A good example is the case report of planthopper Metcalfa pruinosa (Say 1830) (Hemiptera: Flatidae). It was accidentally introduced from North America into Italy in 1979, rapidly spread and is currently present in 15 European countries, and described as a new pest for Bulgaria in 2006. Eggs are laid under bark of some trees and Ailanthus altissima is one of the top 10 where they are well protected during the winter (Trenchev et al. 2006, Strauss 2010). Another case report is about Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) native to North America - firstly established in Hungary and it is now a serious pest in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary with host plant Ailanthus altissima among the top 10 (Yarmand et al. 2009). In addition Ailanthus

altissima is a hazard for the cultural heritage – historical buildings and fortifications

(Pavlova & Tonkov 2005, Nedelcheva 2011). Swingle trees grown at the Research station for fast-growing species near Svishtov,

Bulgaria were found to grow rapidly. The authors of the paper conclude that Ailanthus

altissima is underestimated fast-growing species, whose wood can be successfully used for production of paper and furniture (Panayotov et al. 2011). However their recommendation to consider appropriate a recommendation to start trials with establishment of experimental plantation is a real hazard for the native habitats with most of their fauna and vegetation (as it was shown by number of researchers above). Ailanthus

altissima is extremely difficult to be controlled and its extermination require hard labor. Seedlings could be rooted out, but if some root fragments remain they sprout and initiate new plants. Cutting mature trees cause massive sprouting (Petrova et al. 2012).

Possible applications, which might reduce the invasive plants’

populations Plants are among the main sources of biologically active chemicals. It has been

estimated that about 50% of the prescription products in Europe and USA are originating from natural products or their derivates (Newman et al. 2003). Despite the domination of synthetic chemistry as a method to discover and produce drugs, the potential of bioactive plants or their extracts to provide new and novel products for disease treatment and prevention is still enormous (Kviecinski et al. 2008, Talib & Mahasneh 2010). For industrial uses plant resources that are required are enormous.

The bioactive compounds as well as pharmacological effects of Ailanthus altissima have been widely studied.

Phytochemistry of Ailanthus altissima Previous investigations revealed the presence alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids,

flavonoids together with some other compounds. Among these compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids and aliphatic compounds are common major constituents of Ailanthus

altissima (Kundu & Laskar 2010). The isolated compounds may be classified as follows:

Alkaloids

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Some 18 alkaloids have been reported from different parts of Ailanthus altissima and are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Alkaloids from Ailanthus altissima

Compound name Source

(parts used) Reference

1-Ethyl-4-methoxy-β-carboline root bark Ohmoto et al. (1981), Ohmoto and Koike (1983)

β-Carboline-1-propionic acid root bark Ohmoto and Koike (1984) Methyl-4-methoxy-β-caboline carboxylate

root bark Varga et al. (1980)

1-(1′-2′-Dihydroxyethyl)-4-methoxy-β-Carboline/Crenatine

root bark Ohmoto et al. (1981), Varga et al. (1981)

4-Methoxy-1-vinyl-β-carboline/ Dehydrocrenatine

leaves Joshi et al. (1977), Souleles and Waigh (1984)

1-Methoxycarbonyl-4,8-dimethoxy-β-caboline

leaves Souleles and Kokkalon (1989)

1-Methoxycarbonyl-β-carboline/1- caromethoxy-β-carboline

leaves Ohmoto and Koike (1984) and Souleles and Kokkalon (1989)

1-(1-Hydroxy-2-methoxy)-ethyl-4- methoxy-β-carboline

root bark Ohmoto and Koike (1984)

1-Carbamoyl-β-carboline root bark Ohmoto and Koike (1984) 1-Acetyl-4-methoxy-β-carboline root bark Ohmoto et al. (1981)

Canthine-6-one root bark, leaves, wood

Ohmoto et al. (1976, 1981), Varga et al. (1980), Souleles and Waigh (1984), and Koike and Ohmoto (1985)

1-Hydroxycanthine-6-one root bark Varga et al. (1981)

1-Methoxy-canthine-6-one root bark, leaves, wood

Varga et al. (1980), Souleles and Waigh (1984), Ohmoto et al. (1976)

5-Hydroxymethylcanthine-6-one root bark Ohmoto and Koike (1984) Canthine-6-one-3-N-oxide wood Ohmoto et al. (1976, 1981) 1-Methoxycanthine-6-one-3-N-oxide

root bark Ohmoto et al. (1981)

Canthin-6-one-5-o-β-D-xylopyranosyl- (1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (Ailantcanthinoside A)

root bark Zhang et al. (2007)

Canthin-6-one-1-o-β-D- xylopyranosyl- (1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (Ailantcanthinoside B)

root bark Zhang et al. (2007)

Terpenoids Plants from Simaroubaceae are known to contain compounds with highly

oxygenated degraded triterpenes and bitter taste called as quassinoids. Initially, the compounds of such chemical nature were known by the term ‘‘quassin’’ after the physician ‘‘Quassi’’ who used the bark of the plants from this family for the treatment of fever (Kundu & Laskar 2010). Studies on Ailanthus altissima have shown total 62

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compounds (quassinods and other types of terpenoids) were isolated from this species (Table 2).

Table 2. Terpenoids from Ailanthus altissima

Compound name

Source

(parts

used)

Reference

Ailanthone stem bark seed

Casinovi et al. (1964), Polonsky and Fourrey (1964), Naora et al. (1982, 1983) and Kubota et al. (1996a)

Chapparinone seed Polonsky and Fourrey (1964) Shinjulactone A seed Naora et al. (1983)

Shinjulactone D (root bark

Furuno et al. (1983) and Ishibashi et al. (1983a)

Shinjulactone E root bark Furuno et al. (1983) and Ishibashi et al. (1983a)

Chapparin aerial part

Tamura et al. (2003)

∆13(18)-Dehydroglaucarubinone (stem bark

Kubota et al. (1996a)

∆13(18)-Dehydroglaucarubolone stem bark Kubota et al. (1996a) Ailantinol B stem bark Kubota et al. (1996a) Shinjulactone M root bark Niimi et al. (1986) Shinjulactone N root bark Niimi et al. (1986) Ailantinol A stem bark Kubota et al. (1996a Shinjulactone G root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984a) Shinjulactone H root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984a) Shinjulactone I root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984b) Shinjulactone J root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984b) Shinjulactone K root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984b) Shinjulactone L root bark Ishibashi et al. (1985) Shinjuglycoside A seed Yoshimura et al. (1984) Shinjuglycoside B seed Yoshimura et al. (1984) Shinjuglycoside C seed Yoshimura et al. (1984) Shinjuglycoside D seed Yoshimura et al. (1984) Shinjuglycoside E root bark Niimi et al. (1987) Shinjuglycoside F root bark Niimi et al. (1987)

Ailantinol C aerial part

Kubota et al. (1996b)

Ailantinol D aerial part

Kubota et al. (1996b)

Ailantinol E aerial part

Tamura et al. (2003)

Ailantinol F aerial part

Tamura et al. (2003)

Ailantinol G aerial part

Tamura et al. (2003)

Ailantinol H aerial part

Tamura et al. (2006)

Shinjulactone stem bark Ishibashi et al. (1983b, 1984c)

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Shinjudilactone root bark Ishibashi et al. (1981) Shinjulactone B stem bark Furuno et al. (1981, 1983)

Shinjulactone C (root bark

Ishibashi et al. (1982, 1983b)

Shinjulactone F root bark Ishibashi et al. (1984b, 1984d) 9,19-Cyclolanost-23(Z)-ene-3β, 25-diol

(fruits Zhao et al. (2003, 2006)

Cycloart-25-ene-3 β -24R-diol fruits Zhao et al. (2006) Cycloart-25-ene-3 β -24S-diol fruits Zhao et al. (2006) Ailantholide seed Polonsky and Fourrey (1964) 3-Epi-ursolic acid fruits Zhao et al. (2003) 12β, 20 (S)-Dihydroxy dammar- 24-en-3-one

fruits Zhao et al. (2003)

Linalool oxide leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Linalool leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) β-Cyclocitral leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Sabinyl acetate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Terpineol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (E)-Citral leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Geraniol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Cubebene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Copaene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Bourbonene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Calarene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) β-Caryophyllene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Humulene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) γ-Cadinene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) δ-Cadinene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Sinesal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) α-Muurolene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (E,E)-Farnesal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Farnesol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) 20(S), 24(R), Epoxy-25-hydroxydammarane-3-one (ocotillone)

bark Lee et al. (2002)

Alianthusaltinin A bark Zhou et al. (2011)

Steroids Fifteen steroidal compounds (compounds 81–95) have been reported from different

parts of Ailanthus altissima (Table 3) and most have tetracyclic hydrocarbon derivative of the steroidal nucleous.

Table 3. Steroids from Ailanthus altissima

Compound name Source

(parts used) Reference

β-Sitosterol leaves, fruits Zhao et al. (2003), El-Baky et al. (2000)

β-Sitosterol glucoside/Daucosterol/ Sitosterol-3-Oβ-D-glucoside

leaves, fruits El-Baky et al. (2000)

Ailanthusterol A seed Ansari and Ali (2003) Ailanthusterol B seed Ansari and Ali (2003)

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5α-Stigmastane-3,6-dione fruits Zhao et al. (2005) 5α-Stigmastane-3β, 6β-diol fruits Zhao et al. (2005) 6a-Hydroxy-stigmast-4-en-3-one (fruits Zhao et al. (2005) Stigmast-4-ene-3β, 6α-diol fruits Zhao et al. (2005) Stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione fruits Zhao et al. (2003) 6β -Hydroxy-stigmast-4-ene-3-one fruits Zhao et al. (2003) Stigmast-4-ene-3β, 6β -diol fruits Zhao et al. (2003) 3β-Hydroxy-stigmast-5-en-7-one fruits Zhao et al. (2005) Stigmast-5-ene-3β, 7α-diol fruits Zhao et al. (2005) Stigmast-5-ene-3β, 7α, 20ξ-triol fruits Zhao et al. (2005) Alianthaltone A bark Zhou et al. (2011)

Aliphatic/Volatile compounds From different parts of A. altissima 30 aliphatic compounds were isolated. Among

them the most common are aldehydes (10) and aliphatic acids (10). Table 4. Aliphatic oxygenated compounds in Ailanthus altissima

Compound name Source

(parts used) Reference

n-Hexanal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (E)-2-Hexenal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexenal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-yl acetate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) 6-Methyl-5-hepten-2-one leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Geranyl acetone leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-ol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Nonanal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-yl butanoate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-yl methyl butanoate

leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

1-Octanol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-yl hexanoate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) (Z)-3-Hexen-1-yl tiglate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Hexanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Octanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Undecanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Dodecanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Tetradecanal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Hexadecanal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) 1-Hexadecanol leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Octadecanal leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Tetradecanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Pentadecanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) Hexadecanoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) 9-Octadecenoic acid leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002) 4-Hydroxy-2(E)-nonenoic acid bark Wang et al. (2012) (9S, 12S, 13S)-(E)-9, 12, 13-trihydroxy-10-octadecaenoic acid

bark Wang et al. (2012)

(E)-2-Undecenal bark wood

Caboni et al. (2012)

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root

(E)-2-Decenal bark wood root

Caboni et al. (2012)

(E,E)-2,4-Decadienal bark wood root

Caboni et al. (2012)

Flavonoids Seven flavonoids, three aglycons and four glycosides are detected in Ailanthus

altissima (Table 4). This group of phenolic compounds was so far found only in the leaves

Table 4. Flavonoids from Ailanthus altissima

Compound name Source

(parts used) Reference

Quercetin leaves El-Baky et al. (2000) Kaempferol leaves El-Baky et al. (2000) Luteolin leaves Jin et al. (2009) Kaempferol-3-O-glucoside leaves Jin et al. (2009)

Isoquercetin/Quercetin-3-O-glucoside

leaves El-Baky et al. (2000), Nakaoki and Morita (1958)

Rutin leaves El-Baky et al. (2000) Luteolin-7-O-β-(6″-galloylglucopyranoside)

leaves Barakat (1998)

Miscellaneous Some coumarins, different type of organic acids, and lignans with varying

structural have been summarized under this category. Table 5. Miscellaneous compounds from Ailanthus altissima

Compound name Source

(parts used) Reference

1-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-(2S,3R,4E,9E)- 2-(20-R-hydroxyhexadecenoy)-4,9- octadecadiene-1,3-diol

fruits Zhao et al. (2006)

Ceryl alcohol leaves El-Baky et al. (2000) Ethyl gallate leaves El-Baky et al. (2000) Altissimacoumarin A bark Hwang et al. (2005) Altissimacoumarin B bark Hwang et al. (2005) Coumarin bark Hwang et al. (2005) Artelin bark Hwang et al. (2005) 5,6,7,8-Tetramethoxycoumarin bark Chang et al. (2003)) Isofraxidin bark Hwang et al. (2005) Scopolin leaves Jin et al. (2009) Scopoletin bark Hwang et al. (2005) (2′R,3′R)- 7-(2′,3′-Dihydroxy-3′,7′-dimethylocta-6′-enyloxy) -6,8-dimethoxycoumarin

bark Dao et al. (2012)

6,8-dimethoxy-7-(3′,7′-dimethylocta- bark Dao et al. (2012)

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2′,6′-dienyloxy)coumarin (2′R,3′R,6′R)-7- (2′,3′-Dihydroxy-6′,7′-epoxy-3′, 7′-dimethyloctaoxy)-6,8-dimethoxycoumarin

bark Dao et al. (2012)

(2′R,3′R, 4′S,5′S)-6,8-Dimethoxy-7-(3′,7′-dimethyl-4′, 5′-epoxy-2′-hydroxyocta-6′-enyloxy)coumarin

bark Dao et al. (2012)

Seco-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4-O - D-glucopyranoside

root bark Tan et al. (2012)

7,9,9-Trihydroxy-3,3,5-trimethoxy-8-O-4-neolignan-4-O - D-glucopyranoside

root bark Tan et al. (2012)

Sonchifolignan B root bark Tan et al. (2012) Citrusin B root bark Tan et al. (2012) Erythro-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-coniferyl ether

bark Wang et al. (2012)

Threo-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-sinapyl ether

bark Wang et al. (2012)

Threo-guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-dihydroconiferyl ether

bark Wang et al. (2012)

Caffeic acid methyl ester bark Wang et al. (2012) Coniferin bark Wang et al. (2012) 7-Methoxy-2H-chromene bark Wang et al. (2012) Vanillin bark Wang et al. (2012) 2,6-Dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone bark Farkas et al. (1998) Gallic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Vanillic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Caffeic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Chlorogenic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Syringic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) p-Coumaric acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Ellagic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012) Ferulic acid leaves Luís et al.(2012)

Benzaldehyde leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

Phenylmethyl benzoate leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

Phenylacetaldehyde leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

Cis-jasmone leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

Neophytadiene leaves Mastelić and Jerković. (2002)

Ethnopharmacology of Ailanthus altissima Over the past decades herbal medicine has become an item of major importance.

Various plants have been screened for active ingredients. Ailanthus altissima has been a subject for numerous studies (Tabl. 6). It was reported as a multi-purpose plant species and all parts are used - wood, leaves, bark, gum resins. Numerous studies have been

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performed screening compounds with antiproliferative and cytotoxic and anti-viral activity.

Table 6. Health conditions and application of Ailanthus altissima Pharmacolo

gical effect

Source (parts used) Reference

Astringent, anti-spasmodic

Bark extract Kirtikar and Basu (1933)

CHCl3 extract of the root 5-Hydroxymethyl-canthin-6-one

De Feo et al. (2005); Kubota et al. (1997); Kaken Pharmaceutical Co Ltd Japan (1985)

alkaloid 1-methoxycanthin-6-one De Feo et al. (2005)

Ailantinol E, F, G Tamura et al. (2003)

ailantinol B , ailantinol C, ailanthone

De Feo et al. (2005)

canthin-6-one alkaloids (canthin-6-one, 1-methoxycanthin-6-one, 5-methoxycanthin-6-one and canthin-6- one-3-N-oxide)

Anderson et al. (1983)

Anti-proliferative (anti-tumor and anti-cancer) and cytotoxic activity

shinjulactone A

Kubota et al. (1997)

Extracts, ailanthone and 6-a-tigloyloxychaparrinone

Okunade et al. (2003) Anti-protozoal activity (anti-plasmodial, anti-malarial and leishmanicidal activity)

Canthin-6-one Thouvenel et al. (2002)

MeOH extract of the stem bark; β-sitosterol-3- O-β-D-glucoside; ocotillone

Chang and Woo (2003); Chang et al. (2003)

the quassinoids - shinjulactone B, C; ailantinol A

Okano et al. (1996)

Anti-viral activity HIV-1 fusion inhibition Anti Herpes simplex virus

b-carboline Ohmoto and Koike (1988)

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Phytotoxic activity allelopathic activity

aqueous root extract; ailanthinone, ailanthone, chaparrine and ailantinol B

De Feo et al. (2003); Heisey (1997); Heisey and Kish (2003); Pedersini et al. (2011)

Methanolic extract of the fruits; stigmast-5-ene-3β, 7α-diol, stigmast-5-ene- 3β, 7α, 20ξ-triol

Zhao et al. (2005)

Shinjulactone K, ailanthone, shinjudilactone

Rahman et al. (1997)

Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity

Leaves extract Huo et al. (2012) Methanol extract Kraus et al. (1994)

(E, E)-2,4-decadienal and (E)-2-decenal

Caboni et al. (2012)

Antifeedant activity (antifeedant, insecticidal, insect growth-regulating activity) Repellent and fumigant activity

Bark oil Lü et al. (2012)

Analgesic activity

Extract of the fruits; cerebroside Zhao et al. (2006)

Anti-inflammatory activity

Ethanolic extract of leaf and bark

Jin et al. (2006); Huo et al. (2011)

Antioxidant activity

Leave extracts Luís et al. (2012)

Conclusion The antitumor area has the greatest impact of plant derived drugs where drugs like

vinblastine, vincristine, taxol, and campothecin have improved the chemotherapy of some cancers (Newman et al. 2003). Numerous groups with antitumor properties are plant derived natural products including alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, and terpenoids (Kintzios 2006, Park et al., 2008).

Possible prospective fields of use are based on the ethnopharmacological data namely astringent, anti-spasmodic, anti-proliferative (anti-tumor and anti-cancer), and cytotoxic activity, anti-protozoal activity (anti-plasmodial, anti-malarial and leishmanicidal activity) anti-viral activity (HIV-1 fusion inhibition and anti Herpes simplex virus activity), also phytotoxic activity, allelopathic activity, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity, anti-feedant activity (anti-feedant, insecticidal, insect growth-regulating activity), repellent and fumigant activity, analgesic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity. The domain of fusion inhibitors is a very perspective one. It has been proved that they can prevent virus transmission in microbicide strategies (Berkhout et al. 2012) Therefore one of the most prospective for further research was that it has been proved that compounds in Ailanthus altissima act as HIV-1 fusion inhibitors. Also Ailanthus altissima has the potential for use in the treatment of asthma tested both in

vitro and in in vivo system (Jin et al. 2006). If the plant and its alkaloids are so precious to

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worth the expensive biotechnological methods and growing it as tissue cultures (Anderson et al. 1987, Mulabagal & Tsay 2004) possibly it is a question of logistics to arrange harvesting and shipping abroad of the plant substance or develop local utilization.

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