A mutagenic new iridoid in the water extract of catalpae fructus.

Abstract
A mutagenic principle in the water extract from Catalpae Fructus (originated from Catalpa ovata G. DON) (Bignoniaceae) was isolated and characterized as a new iridoid named catalpin. The iridoid exhibited mutagenic activity towards Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 in the presence and absence of rat liver homogenate (S9) mix in Ames'' test.