Influence of the aleanolic acid glycosides from Silphium perfoliatum L. (silphioside B, C, E and G) and their progenins on the amylase activity and total protein content in wheat seedlings was studied. Treatment of the Triticum aestivum L. seeds with 1-10 microM water solutions of mono- and diglycosides (mono- and bisdesmosines) elevated the alpha-amylase and total amylase activities in seedlings. Silphioside E containing three glucose moieties in its molecule did not change alpha-amylase activity, but it did if bis-triglycoside acetylated carbohydrate (as in silphioside C). Effects of 5-10 microM solutions of the active glycosides was comparable with that of exogenous gibberellin A3 and 6-benzylaminopurine.
