Papaver bracteatum – a Summary of Current Knowledge

Abstract

vestigated f o r 15 years, A review of recent investigations in the fields of Increasing abuse of opiates has made botany, genetics, cytology, biochemistry it necessary t o obtain alternative sour-and pharmacognosy is given in this sumces to Papaver somniferum as raw ma-mary. The closely related P. orientale terial for the pharmaceutical industry. and P. pseudo-orientale are briefly One suitable source is Papaver bractea-reviewed. Other alternative sources t o tum LINDL. which has been closely in-P. somniferum are also discussed. bracteaturn today is the series of papers published by the U.N. (United Nations. Division of Narcotic Drugs. "Scientific Research on Papaver bracteaturn." ST/

Using AFLP markers for species differentiation and assessment of genetic variability of in vitro-cultured Papaver bracteatum (section Oxytona)

“…Papaver bracteatum is a member of the taxonomic section Oxytona which comprises a polyploid series including the diploid P. bracteatum ð2n ¼ 14Þ; the tetraploid P. orientale Fedde ð2n ¼ 28Þ; and the allohexaploid P. pseudo-orientale Fedde ð2n ¼ 42Þ: The three can be differentiated using morphological, cytological, and phytochemical characters (Table 1) but the distinction is not always clear (Goldblatt, 1974;Nyman and Bruhn, 1979). Goldblatt (1974) reported that the morphological ranges of variation of P. bracteatum, P. orientale, and P. pseudo-orientale, when nearing their extremes, can often overlap, especially with P. orientale and P. pseudoorientale.…”

Discrimination among species of Papaver based on the plastid rpl16 gene and the rpl16-rpl14 spacer sequence

“…In this consideration of three native species of Papaver, namely P. bracteatum, P. orientale and P. pseudo-orientale, Goldblatt [3] defined these three species on the basis of morphological observations, and an analysis of chromosome numbers using the plants grown at habitat. The histological characteristics, including flower color, blackish blotches on petals, bracts and leaves, and alkaloids biosynthesis in several species of Papaver have also been described previously [4]. However, discrimination in terms of morphological and chemotaxonomical characteristics among Papaver species is still somewhat Forensic Science International 139 (2004) 195-199 problematic because environmental conditions can affect their various characteristics.…”

Alkaloids

“…The fact that thebaine is the natural precursor of codeine attracted attention to the section Oxytona (Shafiee et al 1975;Fairbairn 1976;Nyman and Bruhn 1979;Santavy 1979;Levy et al 1981;Levy 1985;Milo et al 1987Milo et al , 1988Milo et al , 1990Chelombit'Ko and Mikheev 1988;Laane et al 1988;Levy and Milo 1991), which offers a natural source of thebaine. The fact that thebaine is the natural precursor of codeine attracted attention to the section Oxytona (Shafiee et al 1975;Fairbairn 1976;Nyman and Bruhn 1979;Santavy 1979;Levy et al 1981;Levy 1985;Milo et al 1987Milo et al , 1988Milo et al , 1990Chelombit'Ko and Mikheev 1988;Laane et al 1988;Levy and Milo 1991), which offers a natural source of thebaine.…”