bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnoflorine and Phenolic Derivatives from the Leaves of Croton xalapensis L. (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Arevalo Carolina , Lotti Cinzia , Piccinelli Anna Lisa , Russo Mariateresa , Ruiz Ines , Rastrelli Luca
Published: March 2019

The alkaloid magnoflorine 1, has been isolated for the first time from Croton xalapensis (Euphorbiaceae), in addition two phenylpropenols derivates, 3,4-dimethoxy-(E)-cinnamyl alcohol 2 and 3,4-dimethoxy-5-hydroxy-(E)-cinnamyl alcohol 3, 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid 4, gallic acid 5, methyl gallate 6 and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid 7 have been also found; these compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis particularly, 2D NMR and ESI-MS/MS techniques. The high concentration of magnoflorine, calculated with quantitative HPLC, of the aqueous extract, probably contributes to the remarkable medicinal properties of this plant. In addition this is the first phytochemical study on Croton xalapensis to be reported.
The Cytotoxic Properties of Natural Coumarins Isolated from Roots of Ferulago campestris (Apiaceae) and of Synthetic Ester Derivatives of Aegelinol
Authors: Rosselli Sergio , Maggio Antonella Maria , Faraone Nicoletta , Spadaro Vivienne , Morris-Natschke Susan L. , Bastow Kenneth F. , Lee Kuo-Hsiung , Bruno Maurizio
Published: March 2019

Grandivittin (1), agasyllin (2), aegelinol benzoate (3) and felamidin (20), four natural coumarins isolated from Ferulago campestris, and several synthetic ester derivatives of aegelinol (4) were tested against four tumor cell lines. Some of them were shown to be marginally cytotoxic against the A549 lung cancer cell line.
Cancer Chemopreventive and Anticancer Evaluation of Extracts and Fractions from Marine Macro- and Microorganisms Collected from Twilight Zone Waters around Guam[1]
Authors: Schupp Peter J. , Kohlert-Schupp Claudia , Whitefield Susanna , Engemann Anna , Rohde Sven , Hemscheidt Thomas , Pezzuto John M. , Kondratyuk Tamara P. , Park Eun-Jung , Marler Laura , Rostama Bahman , Wright Anthony D.
Published: March 2019

The cancer chemopreventive and cytotoxic properties of 50 extracts derived from Twilight Zone (50–150 m) sponges, gorgonians and associated bacteria, together with 15 extracts from shallow water hard corals, as well as 16 fractions derived from the methanol solubles of the Twilight Zone sponge Suberea sp, were assessed in a series of bioassays. These assays included: Induction of quinone reductase (QR), inhibition of TNF-α activated nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), inhibition of aromatase, interaction with retinoid X receptor (RXR), inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, inhibition 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH), and inhibition of HL-60 and MCF-7 cell proliferation. The results of these assays showed that at least 10 extracts and five fractions inhibited NFκB by greater than 60%, two extracts and two fractions inhibited DPPH by more than 50%, nine extracts and two fractions affected the survival of HL-60 cells, no extracts or fractions affected RXR, three extracts and six fractions affected quinone reductase (QR), three extracts and 12 fractions significantly inhibited aromatase, four extracts and five fractions inhibited nitric oxide synthase, and one extract and no fractions inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells by more than 95%. These data revealed the tested samples to have many and varied activities, making them, as shown with the extract of the Suberea species, useful starting points for further fractionation and purification. Moreover, the large number of samples demonstrating activity in only one or sometimes two assays accentuates the potential of the Twilight Zone, as a largely unexplored habitat, for the discovery of selectively bioactive compounds. The overall high hit rate in many of the employed assays is considered to be a significant finding in terms of “normal” hit rates associated with similar samples from shallower depths.
Essential Oils from two Lantana species with Antimycobacterial Activity
Authors: de Santana Julião Lisieux , Bizzo Humberto R. , Souza Andressa M. , Lourenço Maria Cristina S. , Silva Pedro Eduardo A. , Tavares Eliana S. , Rastrelli Luca , Leitão Suzana Guimarães
Published: March 2019

Lantana trifolia L. and L. fucata Lindl. are two Brazilian species used in folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory disorders. The composition of the essential oils from the leaves was investigated, as well as their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. L. trifolia yielded an oil (0.2%) rich in sesquiterpenes. The major substances found were germacrene D (45.1%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.8%), bicyclogermacrene (12.7%) and α-humulene (4.4%). Sesquiterpenes were also the main components of the oil of L. fucata (0.3% yield), the principal ones being β-elemene (27.1%), germacrene D (11.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (7.7%), valencene (5.7%) and germacrene A (4.6%). Both oils exhibited in vitro antimycobacterial activity by the MABA assay with MICs of 80 μg/mL for L. trifolia and 100 μg/mL for L. fucata.
Flavonoid Aglycones from the Leaf and Stem Exudates of Some Geraniaceae Species
Authors: Wollenweber Eckhard , Dörr Marion , Christ Matthias
Published: March 2019

Six species of Pelargonium and one species of Geranium were studied for their surface flavonoids. Some of them were found to exhibit an unexpectedly high number of methylated flavonoids, mostly flavonols. The chemotaxonomic significance of exudate flavonoid diversification is shortly addressed.
Comparative Biochemical Characterization of 5′-Phosphodiesterase and Phosphomonoesterase from Barley Malt Sprouts
Authors: Beluhan Suncica , Maric Vladimir
Published: March 2019

A comparative biochemical characterization is described of two competing enzymes in the production of flavoring 5′-ribonucleotides, barley malt sprouts 5′-phosphodiesterase (5′-PDE) and phosphomonoesterase (PME). Fractionation of these two enzymes and partial purification of 5′-PDE were achieved by a combination of thermal treatments and precipitation with acetone. With synthetic substrates, under standard assay conditions, 5′-PDE and PME had maximum activities at pH 8.9, 70°C and 55°C, and Km of 0.26 mM and 0.19 mM, respectively. In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ ions, barley malt sprouts 5′-PDE was activated by up to 160% of the original activity, while PME was inhibited. Zn2+ activated PME by up to 125 % of the original activity. Both enzymes were moderately inhibited after addition of Cu2+, Co2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ ions (10 mM), but, significantly, by addition of the chelating agent EDTA. In the absence of substrate and up to 80°C, barley malt sprouts 5′-PDE showed excellent stability and retained 70% of its original activity at 70°C after 120 min.
Terpenoid Compositions and Antioxidant Activities of Two Indian Valerian Oils from the Khasi Hills of North-east India
Authors: Das Jayashankar , Mao Ashiho A. , Handique Pratap J.
Published: March 2019

The volatile constituents of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and V. hardwickii Wall. (Valerianaceae) collected from the Khasi Hills of northeast India were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-seven and twenty-one compounds were characterized and identified from V. jatamansi and V. hardwickii samples, representing 90.6% and 82.7% of the total oil, respectively. Sesquiterpenes were shown to be the main constituents in both the oil samples. Maaliol (26.1%), patchouli alcohol (9.3%) and α-gurjunene (8.7%) were the major components of V. jatamansi oil, whereas valeracetate (21.3%), methyl linoleate (14.1%), bornyl acetate (13.8%) and cuparene (7.1%) were the main constituents of V. hardwickii oil. Both Indian valerian essential oils were studied for their antioxidant activities using the free radical-scavanging activity (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. V. hardwickii oil exhibited a higher antioxidant capacity than V. jatamansi in both assays. For both the valerian oil samples, there was a concentration-dependent increase in free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing capacity. Both valerian oils and their ingredients are potential sources of natural antioxidants.
Comparison of Volatile Constituents, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oils of Thymus caucasicus, T. kotschyanus and T. vulgaris
Authors: Asbaghian Shiva , Shafaghat Ali , Zarea Khalil , Kasimov Fakhraddin , Salimi Farshid
Published: March 2019

A comparison of the chemical composition, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Thymus caucasicus, T. kotschyanus, and T. vulgaris was carried out. The oils, obtained by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty, 29 and 22 compounds representing 94.8%, 96.6% and 98.2% of the essential oils of T. caucasicus, T. kotschyanus and T. vulgaris, respectively, have been identified. The oil of T. caucasicus was characterized by 1,8-cineol (21.5%), thymol (12.6%), β-fenchyl alcohol (8.7%), nerolidol (7.8%), terpinolene (7.2%), α-pinene (7.0%) and myrcene (6.8%). In the oil of T. kotschyanus, carvacrol (24.4%), β-caryophyllene (14.5%), γ-terpinene (12.4%), α-phellandrene (10.8%), p-cymene (9.8%) and thymol (6.8%) were the predominant compounds, whereas the main components of T. vulgaris oil were thymol (43.8%), p-cymene (15.2%), germacrene-D (11.7%), terpinolene (3.4%), carvacrol (3.2%), β-caryophyllene (2.8%) and α-thujene (2.2%). In all three plants oil, hydrocarbon monoterpenes predominated over sesquiterpenes. Antioxidant activities were assessed by determining IC50 values in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Antibacterial activity was determined by measuring minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth dilution method. The essential oils of T. caucasicus, T. kotschyanus and T. vulgaris showed free radical scavenging and antibacterial activity.
Analysis of the Essential Oil of Amsonia illustris
Authors: London Annamaria , Veres Katalin , Szabó Krisztina , Háznagy-Radnai Erzsébet , Máthé Imre
Published: March 2019

The root and leaf essential oils, present in trace amounts in Amsonia illustris Woods. (Apocynaceae), were isolated by steam distillation and their chemical constituents identified by GC-FID and GC-MS. More than 80% of the thirty volatile compounds in the leaf oil were identified, the major constituents being mainly sesquiterpenes like α-humulene (14.5%), β-caryophyllene (12.4%) and guaiol (11.6%). The volatile ingredients of the root oil were pinocampheol, methyl salicylate, (2 E,4 E)- decadienal, eugenol and trans-isoeugenol.
Secondary Metabolites from Asperula lutea subsp. rigidula
Authors: Tzakou Olga , Lempesis Konstantinos , Loukis Anargyros
Published: March 2019

From the aerial parts of Asperula lutea subsp. rigidula (Halacsy) Ehrend., an endemic plant of southeastern Greece, nine known compounds, β-sitosterol, geniposidic acid, deacetyl-asperuloside, scandoside, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, hyperin, isoquercitrin and rutin, were isolated. From the analysis of a non polar fraction of the methanolic extract by means of GC and GC-MS, eighteen compounds were identified, mainly esters of fatty acids. The major components were the ethyl esters of palmitic acid (32.7%), linolenic acid (20.1%) and linoleic acid (10.5%).
Variation in the Volatile Constituents of Artemisia annua var. CIM-Arogya during Plant Ontogeny
Authors: Padalia Rajendra C. , Verma Ram S. , Chauhan Amit , Chanotiya Chandan S. , Yadav Anju
Published: March 2019

The essential oils yield and composition of the aerial parts of A. annua var. CIM-Arogya grown in Uttarakhand, India were analyzed and compared by capillary GC and GC-MS at different stages of development. The analysis led to the identification of 81 constituents forming 91.0%-97.1% of the essential oils compositions. The essential oil content of the aerial parts was found to vary from 0.3% to 0.7% at different stages of growth. A. annua crop harvested at full flowering and seed setting stage gave higher yield of essential oil (0.6%, 0.7%) than that harvested at pre flowering (0.5%), late vegetative (0.4%, 0.5%), mid vegetative (0.4%, 0.4%) and early vegetative stages (0.3%, 0.3%). The essential oils at different stages of growth showed monoterpenoids (38.5%-72.0%) and sesquiterpenoids (22.2%-48.2%) as major grouped constituents. The major constituents identified were camphor (22.8%-42.6%), 1,8-cineole (3.7%-8.4%), linalool (<0.1%-11.9%), β-caryophyllene (2.0%-9.2%), ( E)-β-farnesene (1.3%-8.5%), germacrene D (0.5%-7.3%) and 1- epi-cubenol (0.7%-5.2%) in essential oil samples collected at different crop stages.
Essential Oil from Leaves of Lantana canescens and L. lopez-palacii Grown in Colombia
Authors: Peralta-Bohórquez Andrés F. , Quijano-Célis Clara , Gaviria Mauricio , Vanegas-López Consuelo , Pino Jorge A.
Published: March 2019

The chemical composition of the volatile compounds from the leaves of Lantana canescens Kunth (Verbenaceae) and L. lopez-palacii Moldenke grown in Colombia were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. One hundred and thirty-nine volatile compounds were identified in L. canescens, of which the major ones were β-caryophyllene (13.5%), germacrene D (10.3%) and 1-octen-3-ol (8.4%). In the oil obtained from L. lopez-palacii, eighty-three compounds were identified, of which the most prominent were 1-octen-3-ol (24.4%) and β-caryophyllene (15.2%). The in vitro antibacterial activity of the L. lopez-palacii essential oil was studied against three bacterial strains using the disc diffusion method. No antimicrobial activity was found against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sakazakii and Listeria monocytogenes.
First Total Synthesis of the Neo-Clerodane Diterpenoid Salvinorin F
Authors: Hagiwara Hisahiro , Nojima Takashi , Suka Yuhki , Hoshi Takashi , Suzuki Toshio
Published: March 2019

The total synthesis of the neoclerodane diterpenoid salvinorin F was accomplished for the first time.
Physicochemical Effects of the Major Quassinoids in a Standardized Eurycoma longifolia Extract (Fr 2) on the Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetic Properties, and their Implications for Oral Antimalarial Activity
Authors: Low Bin-Seng , Teh Chin-Hoe , Yuen Kah-Hay , Chan Kit-Lam
Published: March 2019

A simple validated LC-UV method for the phytochemical analysis of four bioactive quassinoids, 13α(21)-epoxyeurycomanone (EP), eurycomanone (EN), 13α,21-dihydroeurycomanone (ED) and eurycomanol (EL) in rat plasma following oral (200 mg/kg) and intravenous administration (10 mg/kg) of a standardized extract Fr 2 of Eurycoma longifolia Jack was developed for pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies. The extract Fr 2 contained 4.0%, 18.5%, 0.7% and 9.5% of EP, EN, ED and EL, respectively. Following intravenous administration, EP displayed a relatively longer biological half-life (t½ = 0.75 ± 0.25 h) due primarily to its lower elimination rate constant (ke) of 0.84 ± 0.26 h−1) when compared with the t½ of 0.35 ± 0.04 h and ke of 2.14 ± 0.27 h−1, respectively of EN. Following oral administration, EP showed a higher Cmax of 1.61± 0.41 μg/mL over that of EN (Cmax = 0.53 ± 0.10 μg/mL). The absolute bioavailability of EP was 9.5-fold higher than that of EN, not because of chemical degradation since both quassinoids were stable at the simulated gastric pH of 1. Instead, the higher log Kow value of EP (-0.43) contributed to greater membrane permeability over that of EN (log Kow = −1.46) at pH 1. In contrast, EL, being in higher concentration in the extract than EP, was not detected in the plasma after oral administration because of substantial degradation by the gastric juices after 2 h. Similarly, ED, being unstable at the acidic pH and together with its low concentration in Fr 2, was not detectable in the rat plasma. In conclusion, upon oral administration of the bioactive standardized extract Fr 2, EP and EN may be the only quassinoids contributing to the overall antimalarial activity; this is worthy of further investigation.
Identification and Quantitative Determination of Lignans in Cedrus atlantica Resins using 13C NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Nam Anne-Marie , Paoli Mathieu , Castola Vincent , Casanova Joseph , Bighelli Ange
Published: March 2019

Identification and quantitative determination of individual components of resin collected on the trunk of 28 Cedrus atlantica trees, grown in Corsica, has been carried out using 13C NMR spectroscopy. Eight resin acids bearing either the pimarane or abietane skeleton, two monoterpene hydrocarbons and four oxygenated neutral diterpenes have been identified, as well as three lignans, scarcely found in resins. Three groups could be distinguished within the 28 resin samples. The nine samples of Group I had their composition dominated by diterpene acids (33.7-45.8%), with abietic acid (6.2-18.7%) and isopimaric acid (5.1-12.6%) being the major components. The four samples of Group II contained resin acids (main components) and lignans in moderate amounts (up to 10.3%). Conversely, lignans (38.8-63.8%) were by far the major components of the 15 samples of Group III. Depending on the sample, the major component was pinoresinol (18.1-38.9%), lariciresinol (17.2-33.7%) or lariciresinol 9′-acetate (16.9-29.1%). Finally, due to the high biological interest in lignans, a rapid procedure, based on 1H NMR spectroscopy, was developed for quantification of lignans in resins of C. atlantica.
Structure-Molluscicidal Activity Relationships of Acylphloroglucinols from Ferns
Authors: Socolsky Cecilia , Borkosky Susana , Bardón Alicia
Published: March 2019

The molluscicidal activity of 12 phloroglucinol derivatives previously isolated from Elaphoglossum piloselloides, E. gayanum, E. yungense, and E. lindbergii, as well as 3 known acylphloroglucinols, now reported from an Argentine collection of Dryopteris wallichiana, was evaluated against the schistosomiasis vector snail Biomphalaria peregrina. Molluscicidal effects were analyzed and compared with those previously observed for 4 acylphloroglucinols from E. piloselloides and their corresponding peracetylated derivatives, in order to draw structure-activity relationships. The most active compounds were the prenylated desaspidins elaphogayanin B and elaphopilosins A and B (LD50 = 1.90, 2.90, and 0.94 ppm, respectively), together with the only evaluated prenylated para-aspidin, elaphopilosin C (LD50 = 2.15 ppm). Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were studied by means of a semiempirical method (PM3) for the 24 natural phloroglucinol derivatives included in this paper. The descriptor molecular volume was found to have good correlation with the observed molluscicidal activity (r2 = 0.77). The derived equation can be considered useful to predict the molluscicidal activity of bi and tricyclic acylphloroglucinols. The QSAR analysis showed that there is an optimum volume for high activity, probably related to the size of a receptor's active site. Bigger molecules display lower activity.
Syntheses of Marchantins C, O and P as Promising Highly Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Speicher Andreas , Holz Judith , Hoffmann Alexandra
Published: March 2019

Recently, remarkable microtubule inhibitor and antitumor activities of the bis(bibenzyl) marchantin C – isolated from liverworts like Marchantia polymorpha since 1983 – were found. In this paper we describe the efficient total synthesis of this subtype of bis(bibenzylic) compounds with two biarylether connections. Two selectively methylated derivatives known as natural compounds marchantin O and P were synthesized for the first time by modification of the arene subunits and can now be considered as promising highly bioactive compounds.
Molecular Genetic Study on the Anthocyanin Chemotypes of Perilla frutescens var. crispa
Authors: Yamazaki Mami , Saito Kazuki
Published: March 2019

The chemotypes found in various plant species are the good subjects for the studies to understand the regulatory mechanism in secondary metabolism. The biochemistry and molecular biology of flavonoid biosynthesis was studied using chemotypes of Perilla frutescens var. crispa differing anthocyanin accumulation. The expression of the most of structural genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis was coordinately regulated in chemotype-specific manner and by light. However, the genes for shared enzymes between anthocyanin and flavone pathway were expressed both chemotypes. Biochemical characteristics of enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were investigated in this plant. Furthermore, the candidates of regulatory factors, members of MYB-bHLH-WD complex, of anthocyanin production were characterized in this plant.
C-6 Regioselective Bromination of Methyl Indolyl-3-acetate
Authors: Suárez-Castillo Oscar R. , Meléndez-Rodríguez Myriam , Beiza-Granados Lidia , Cano-Escudero Indira C. , Morales-Ríos Martha S. , Joseph-Nathan Pedro
Published: March 2019

An efficient route to natural occurring methyl 6-bromoindolyl-3-acetate 1c from methyl indolyl-3-acetate 3 was achieved in 3 steps and 68% overall yield. Thus, in order to regioselectively brominate 3 at the C6-position, introduction of electron withdrawing substituents at N1 and C8 was affected to give intermediate 4 in 82% yield. Bromination of 4 with 8 equiv of bromine in CCl4 and washings with aqueous Na2SO3 gave 5 in 86% yield, which was N- and C-decarbomethoxylated by treatment with NaCN in DMSO, affording 1c in 97% yield. The regioselectivity of bromination was evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.
Biomimetic Cyclization of Geraniol Derivatives, a Useful Tool in the Total Synthesis of Bioactive Monocyclic Terpenoids
Authors: Merlini Valentina , Luparia Marco , Porta Alessio , Zanoni Giuseppe , Vidari Giovanni
Published: March 2019

This review is a detailed account of authors’ work in the field of biomimetic cyclization of geraniol-like dienes. The very high regio- and enantioselectivity achieved made these elegant reactions a viable tool for the synthesis of monocyclic building blocks used in the synthesis of valued terpenoids, like the precious aroma and perfume constituents’ ionones and irones.
Drimenol: A Versatile Synthon for Compounds with trans-Drimane Skeleton
Authors: Cortés Manuel , Delgado Virginia , Saitz Claudio , Armstrong Veronica
Published: March 2019

Several reviews have been published on sesquiterpenes, and on drimane-type sesquiterpenes, going through drimenol and related compounds among others. However, to our knowledge, this is the first review exclusively on drimenol. Although, the main focus is on drimenol as a synthon for other drimane-type compounds, synthetic routes to obtain racemic and (-)-drimenol are summarized, as well as its isolation and determination of its configuration, in the early fifties. The reviewed synthetic routes start from natural (-)-drimenol as chiral synthon in most of cases, nevertheless total syntheses are considered as well. The strategies where racemic drimenol is involved begin with biomimetic cyclization of trans-farnesol. Microbiological procedures to functionalize the A ring of drimenol are also commented. The revision is classified according to the chemical structure of the final product, which mainly correspond to structures of natural occurrence, although other related derivatives are also analyzed.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Sesquiterpenolides from Umbelliferae
Authors: Guerra Francisco M. , Moreno-Dorado F. Javier , Jorge Zacarías D. , Massanet Guillermo M.
Published: March 2019

A review of our latest developments in the synthesis of sesquiterpenolides isolated from plants of the Umbelliferae family is presented.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Alkaloids from Phenylglycinol-Derived Lactams
Authors: Amat Mercedes , Llor Núria , Griera Rosa , Pérez Maria , Bosch Joan
Published: March 2019

This review is focused on recent synthetic achievements and ongoing work in our laboratory using phenylglycinol-derived oxazolopiperidone lactams as starting materials for the enantioselective synthesis of piperidine-containing alkaloids: madangamines, 2,5-disubstituted decahydroquinoline and 1-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, the indole alkaloids 20 S- and 20 R-dihydrocleavamine and quebrachamine, and indole alkaloids of the uleine and silicine groups.
Simultaneous Quantification of Panax and Epimedium Species Using Rapid Resolution Liquid Chromatography (RRLC)
Authors: Ma Jie , Ma Yuan-Chun , Wang Daniel , Hou Fei Fei , Luo Mai , Lu Shane , Gorecki Dariusz C. , Patel Asmita V
Published: March 2019

Two Rapid Resolution Liquid Chromatography (RRLC) methods have been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of eight major ginsenosides from Panax species, namely, R1, Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd, and flavonoids from Epimedium species, namely, epimedins A, B, and C and icariin. The analyses were performed using an Agilent 1200 series RRLC system with Phenomenex Luna C18-HST and Zorbax Eclipse XDB columns. The separation was performed with a gradient mobile phase of A (pure water) and B (acetonitrile) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/ min and 2.5 mL/min, respectively. Both columns were kept at 40°C with the detection wavelength set at 203 nm. Specific eluted compounds were identified by using reference samples of ginsenosides R1, Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd, and epimedins A, B, C and icariin. Baseline separation was achieved in less than 15 minutes for the Phenomenex Luna column and 4 minutes for the Zorbax Eclipse column. Characteristic RRLC profiles were established for complex mixtures of ginsenosides from Panax species and flavonoids from Epimedium species. Both methods developed here are effective for the quality control of formulated products containing both Panax and Epimedium varieties.
Herbicide Activity of Extracts from Ailanthus Altissima (Simaroubaceae)
Authors: Pedersini Cristiano , Bergamin Massimo , Aroulmoji Vincent , Baldini Sanzio , Picchio Rodolfo , Pesce Patricia Gutierrez , Ballarin Luca , Murano Erminio
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the present study was to isolate and characterize ailanthone-rich materials from the bark of the deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and to assess their herbicide activity on selected herbaceous species. Ailanthone-rich fractions were obtained from A. altissima bark by extraction with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate and subsequent purification of these crude extracts, and of the remaining water mixture after solvent extraction, by means of gel permeation chromatography. A number of fractions were isolated and characterized for ailanthone content. A dichloromethane fraction was shown to contain 92% w/w of ailanthone, as demonstrated by HPLC and NMR analysis. A significant pre-emergence herbicide activity was found for most of the extracts which was directly correlated to ailanthone concentration. A remarkable combined pre- and post-emergence herbicide activity was found for a specific fraction. These results indicate that the bark of A. altissima may represent an interesting source for the production of natural herbicides for use in agriculture.
Maculansins, Cryptic Phytotoxins from Blackleg Fungi
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Chumala Paulos B.
Published: March 2019

The phytotoxins and other metabolites produced by isolates L2/M2 of the fungal species Leptosphaeria maculans under different culture conditions, together with those of two new, but related isolates are disclosed. The common metabolic characteristics suggest a phylogenetic similarity between these isolates with potential to become widespread in mustard growing areas.
Microbial Transformation of Deoxyandrographolide by Alternaria Alternata AS 3.4578
Authors: Xin Xiu-Lan , Deng Sha , Zhang Bao-Jing , Huang Shan-shan , Tian Yan , Ma Xiao-Chi , An Lei , Shu Xiao-hong , Yao Ji-Hong , Cui Xun
Published: March 2019

Biotransformation of deoxyandrographolide (1) by Alternaria alternata AS 3.4578 gave five derivatives identified by spectral methods including 2D NMR as the known dehydroandrographolide (2) and 9β-hydroxy-dehydroandrographolide (3) and the new compounds 9β-hydroxy-deoxyandrographolide (4), 3α,17,19-trihydroxy-8,13-ent-labdadien-15,16-olide (5) and 3-oxo-9β-hydroxy-deoxyandrographolide (6).
Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects of the Genus Cecropia
Authors: Costa Geison M. , Schenkel Eloir P. , Reginatto Flávio H.
Published: March 2019

The Cecropia genus consists of about 60 species distributed throughout Latin America, mostly in Brazil. These species are widely used in traditional medicine to treat cough, asthma, bronchitis, high blood pressure, inflammation, heart disease, and as a diuretic. In recent years, there has been an increase in research on Cecropia species, with several phytochemical and pharmacological reports. Concerning its chemical composition, C-glycosylflavonoids and proanthocyanidins have been described as the main constituents of C. glaziovii, C. hololeuca and C. pachystachya, while terpenoids and steroids have been reported in several species, including C. adenopus and C. pachystachya. Among the pharmacological properties described for the genus, the most frequently reported are hypoglycemic activity for C. obtusifolia and C. peltata, and hypotensive and central nervous system activity for C. glaziovii. The present review compiles the information available on this genus because of its ethnopharmacological relevance and the potential therapeutic uses of these species.
Validation of the Ethnopharmacological Use of Polygonum Persicaria for its Antifungal Properties
Authors: Derita Marcos , Zacchino Susana
Published: March 2019

Polygonum L. genus (Polygonaceae) is represented in Argentina by 21 species and some of them have been used in the traditional medicine of our country to treat affections related with fungal infections, such as skin ailments and vaginal diseases. With the aim of contributing to the correct ethnopharmacological use of this genus, in the present work we describe the antifungal properties of P. persicaria (species not studied up to now) and the bio-guided isolation of the main active compounds. Results showed that dichloromethane extracts was the most active with MICs (Minimun Inhibitory Concentrations) between 31.2 – 1000 μg/mL, validating the ethnopharmacological use of P. persicaria to treat affections related with fungal infections in the Argentinean traditional medicine.
Anti-angiogenic Activity Evaluation of Secondary Metabolites from Calycolpus Moritzianus Leaves
Authors: Lepore Laura , Gualtieri Maria J. , Malafronte Nicola , Cotugno Roberta , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Ambrosio Letizia , De Falco Sandro , De Tommasi Nunziatina
Published: March 2019

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in many pathological conditions like cancer, inflammation and metastasis formation; on these basis the search for antiangiogenic agents has widened. In order to identify new compounds able to interfere in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1, also known as Flt-1) recognition by VEGFs family members, we screened Calycolpus moritzianus (O. Berg) Burret leaves extracts by a competitive ELISA-based assay. MeOH and CHCl3 extracts and several their fractions demonstrated to be able to prevent VEGF or PlGF interaction with Flt-1, with an inhibition about 50% at concentration of 100 μg/mL. Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the active fractions led to the isolation of flavonoids, and terpenes.
Chemical and Biological Activity of Leaf Extracts of Chromolaena Leivensis
Authors: Ruben D. , Torrenegra G. , Oscar E. , Rodríguez A.
Published: March 2019

The flavonoids 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone, 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone and 3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone were isolated from the leaves of C. leivensis. Preliminary observations in K562 cells (human erythroleukemia) using the trypan blue test, showed a 90% viability at a concentration of 100 μg/mL; however, further testing of the flavonoids at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL showed toxicity affecting the morphology of human erythroleukemia cells (K562) and human melanoma cells (A375). Induction of apoptosis was produced by 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone at 72 hours after treatment with arrest in the G2 / M phase of the cell cycle. The A375 cells treated with 50 μg/mL of 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone for 24, 48 and 72 hours, display effects on the behavior of the cell cycle. The flavonoid 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone has activity on the mitochondrial membrane at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 μg/mL, at time intervals of 8 to 12 hours. The flavonoids 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone and 3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone at a concentration of 25 μg/mL increased the expression of costimulatory molecules corresponding to the phenotype presented by mature dendritic cells with differentiation markers CD40, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR. The two flavonoids at concentrations between 0.39 and 100 μg/mL slightly increased the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence and in the absence of phytohemagglutinin. These flavonoids at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL slightly increased the proliferation of fibroblasts.
Two New Sesquiterpene Lactones from Ixeris sonchifolia
Authors: Song Shao-jiang , Zhou Ling-yan , Li Ling-zhi , Gao Pin-yi , Jia Wei-wei , Peng Ying
Published: March 2019

The structures of two new sesquiterpene lactones, 11,13β-dihydroixerin Z (1) and Ixerin Z2 (2) isolated from Ixeris sonchifolia were determined to be 3-hydroxy-1(10),3-guaiadiene-12,6-olide-2-one-3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 1(10),3,11 (13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-2-one-3- O-[6′-(4″-hydroxybenzyl lactyl)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, respectively on the basis of detailed spectral analysis.
Prenylated Flavonoids from the Leaves of Derris malaccensis and their Cytotoxicity
Authors: Chokchaichamnankit Daranee , Kongjinda Vorawan , Khunnawutmanotham Nisachon , Chimnoi Nitirat , Pisutcharoenpong Somchai , Techasakul Supanna
Published: March 2019

A new prenylated isoflavone, pomiferin-4′- O-methyl ether, and a new prenylated chalcone, 2′,4′-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3′-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)chalcone, together with four known flavonoids, were isolated from the leaves of Derris malaccensis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity.
Biflavonoids from the Roots of Wikstroemia indica
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Wang Guocai , Huang Weihuan , Ye Wencai , Li Yaolan
Published: March 2019

Two new biflavonoids, 4′-methoxydaphnodorin D1 and 4′-methoxydaphnodorin D2, along with six known biflavonoids, were isolated from the roots of Wikstroemia indica. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses in combination with CD measurements.
Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity of Essential oils of two Aromatic plants from Ivory Coast against Bemisia tabaci G. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Tia Etienne V. , Adima Augustin A. , Niamké Sébastien L. , Jean Gnago A. , Martin Thibaud , Lozano Paul , Menut Chantal
Published: March 2019

Essential oils of aromatic plants with insecticidal properties are nowadays considered as alternative insecticides to protect cultures from attack by insect pest. The aims of the present work were to evaluate the toxicity of the essential oils vapors of two aromatic plants ( Lippia multiflora Mold. and Aframomum latifolium K. Schum) against Bemisia tabaci and to characterize their chemical composition. The highest fumigant toxicity against B. tabaci adults was observed with the L. multiflora oil: by exposure to 0.4 μL/L air, the lethal time inducing 90% mortality (LT90) was below 2 hours for this essential oil whereas it reached 15 h in the case of the A. latifolium oil. Both oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS on two capillary columns. The oil of L. multiflora contained a majority of oxygenated terpenoids mainly represented by the two acyclic components linalool (46.6%) and ( E)-nerolidol (16.5%); the oil of A. latifolium was dominated by hydrocarbonated terpenoids among them β-pinene (51.6%) and β-caryophyllene (12.3%) were the two major components.
Inhibition of Gastric H+, K+-ATPase Activity by Compounds from Medicinal Plants
Authors: Freitas Cristina Setim , Baggio Cristiane Hatsuko , Mayer Bárbara , dos Santos Ana Cristina , Twardowschy André , de Moraes Santos Cid Aimbiré , Marques Maria Consuelo Andrade
Published: March 2019

H+, K+-ATPase enzyme is a therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric disturbances. Several medicinal plants and isolated compounds inhibit the acid gastric secretion through interaction with the proton pump. In order to add new properties to some natural constituents, five compounds, a benzylated derivative of vincoside, a diterpene (abietic acid) and three alkaloids (cephaeline, vinblastine and vindoline), were tested for their activities on gastric H+,K+-ATPase isolated from rabbit stomach. All the compounds inhibited H+, K+-ATPase activity with varied potency. The IC50 value for benzylvincoside was 121 (50-293) μM, and for abietic acid 177 (148-211) μM. The alkaloids cephaeline, vinblastine and vindoline inhibited the H+,K+-ATPase activity with IC50 values of 194, 761 and 846 μM, respectively. The results suggest that benzylvincoside, abietic acid and cephaeline can be important sources for the development of anti-secretor agents.
Amides and Esters of Phenylpropenoic Acids from the Aerial Parts of Trifolium pallidum
Authors: Szajwaj Barbara , Moldoch Jaroslaw , Masullo Milena , Piacente Sonia , Oleszek Wieslaw , Stochmal Anna
Published: March 2019

Two new derivatives of phenylpropenoic acids, N-trans-feruloyl-L-DOPA and O-trans-caffeoylmalic acid dimethyl ester, along with four known N-trans-caffeoyl-L-DOPA (clovamide), N-trans-caffeoyl-L-DOPA-methyl ester, O-trans-caffeoylmalic acid, O-trans-feruloyl-malic acid and quercetin 3- O-β-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Trifolium pallidum. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D- (1H, 13C) and 2D-NMR (DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC) experiments as well as mass spectrometry analysis.
Amides from the Stems of Cinnamomum burmannii
Authors: Hong Zi-Ling , Huang Jin-Cherng , Kuo Soong-Yu , Chen Chung-Yi
Published: March 2019

A novel amide, cinnabutamine (1), along with five known amides, cinnaretamine (2), N-trans-caffeoyl-5-hydroxytyramine (3), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), N-trans-feruloyl-5-methoxytyramine (5) and N-cis-feruloyl-5-methoxytyramine (6), were isolated from the stems of Cinnamomum burmannii (Lauraceae). Their structures were characterized and identified by spectral analysis.
Analysis of Essential Oils from Scutellaria orientalis ssp. alpina and S. utriculata by GC and GC-MS
Authors: Formisano Carmen , Rigano Daniela , Senatore Felice , Piozzi Franco , Arnold Nelly Apostolides
Published: March 2019

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Scutellaria orientalis L. ssp. alpina (Boiss.) O. Schwarz and S. utriculata Labill. growing wild in Lebanon, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In S. orientalis ssp. alpina, strongly characterized by sesquiterpenes (41.2%) and particularly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (31.7%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (11.7%) was recognized as the main constituent, together with hexadecanoic acid (7.6%), caryophyllene (7.4%), caryophyllene oxide (6.8%), 4-vinylguaiacol (5.4%) and germacrene D (5.4%). S. utriculata oil was instead constituted above all by monoterpenes (42.2%), particularly oxygen containing monoterpenes (39.9%), and in this oil the main compounds were linalool (20.1%), 4-vinyl guaiacol (15.5%), α-terpineol (8.9%), ( E)-nerolidol (8.9%) and geraniol (8.2%).
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Withania frutescens
Authors: Bouzidi Laila El , Larhsini Mustapha , Markouk Mohamed , Abbad Abdelaziz , Hassani Lahcen , Bekkouche Khalid
Published: March 2019

In the present study, we report for the first time the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy roots and leaves. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power methods. Antimicrobial activity tests were carried out against ten bacterial species involved in nosocomial infections and two opportunistic clinical yeast isolates. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol leaf fractions exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 = 4.53 ± 0.12 and 8.49 ± 0.46 μg/mL, respectively. The n-butanol root fraction showed the greatest reducing power comparable with that of quercetin at 0.4 mg/mL. The dichloromethane leaf fraction exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with MIC values ranging between 50 and 400 μg/mL, depending on the tested bacteria. However, none of the examined extracts exhibited anticandidal activity. The polyphenol and glycowithanolide constituents appeared to be responsible for the antioxidant capacity of W. frutescens, whereas the observed antimicrobial activity may be due to the presence of withanolides.
Lead Concentrations of Herbs Used in Van Herby Cheese
Authors: Tuncturk Murat , Tuncturk Ruveyde , Sekeroglu Nazım , Ertus Mehmet M. , Ozgokce Fevzi
Published: March 2019

Van Herby Cheese is a traditional milk product including local herb species in eastern Turkey. This special milk product was previously produced only for the local market, but industrial scale production and marketing have recently started in the region. However, some quality characteristics such as microbial flora and heavy metal concentrations of this novel product need to be investigated. In this study, lead concentrations of 28 different herbs mostly used in Van Herby Cheese were analyzed by AAS. The highest lead concentration of 1.69 mg kg−1 of the analyzed herbs was found in Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson subsp. longifolia.
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Moroccan Juniperus phoenicea
Authors: Fouad Bahri , Abderrahmane Romane , Youssef Arjouni , Rajae Harrak , Fels M. Ahmed El Alaoui El
Published: March 2019

The antibacterial activity of the essential oil from leaves of Juniperus phoenicea (Cupressaceae) and its chemical constituents were investigated in this study. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), and gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Sixty-three volatile compounds were identified representing 52 to 92% of the total oil compositions. The main monoterpenes were α-pinene (26.7-78.7%) and δ-3carene (7.6-15.4%). The antibacterial activity of J. phoenicea essential oil, when tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showed high activity against all bacteria tested, except Pseudomonas.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oils of Pinus patula
Authors: Amri Ismail , Lamia Hamrouni , Gargouri Samia , Hanana Mohsen , Mahfoudhi Mariem , Fezzani Tarek , Ezzeddine Ferjani , Jamoussi Bassem
Published: March 2019

Essential oils isolated from needles of Pinus patula by hydrodistillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty-eight compounds were identified, representing 98.3% of the total oil. The oil was rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (62.4%), particularly α-pinene (35.2%) and β-phellandrene (19.5%). The in vitro antifungal assay showed that P. patula oil significantly inhibited the growth of 9 plant pathogenic fungi. The oil, when tested on Sinapis arvensis, Lolium rigidum, Phalaris canariensis and Trifolium campestre, completely inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of all species. Our preliminary results showed that P. patula essential oil could be valorized for the control of weeds and fungal plant diseases.
Drugs from the Cloudforest: The Search for New Medicines from Monteverde, Costa Rica
Authors: Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

The University of Alabama in Huntsville Natural Products Research Group has been investigating the phytopharmaceutical potential of tropical rainforest higher plants from the Monteverde region of northwestern Costa Rica for the past twenty years. The group has focused primarily on anticancer agents, antimicrobial agents, and antiparasitic agents. This review presents an overview of some of our efforts in natural products drug discovery from Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Novel Microbial Transformation of Resibufogenin by Absidia coerules
Authors: Zheng Jian , Su Dong-Hai , Zhang Dong-Sheng , Xin Xiu-Lan , Liu Jun-Ying , Tian Yan , Wei Qing , Cui Xun
Published: March 2019

Resibufogenin is one of the major active components of the Chinese medicine ChanSu. In this paper, microbial transformation of resibufogenin by Absidia coerules AS 3.3382 was investigated and five metabolites were isolated and identified as 5β-hydroxy-resibufogenin (2), 3-epi-resibufogenin (3), 3α-hydroxy-15-oxo-14αH-bufa-20, 22-dienolide (4), 3α,14α,15β-trihydroxy-bufa-20, 22-dienolide (5) and 3-epi-15β-hydroxy-bufalin (6). Among them, 4-6 are novel compounds, and compound 3 is a major transformed product. The cytotoxicities of the compounds against Bel-7402 and Hela cells were investigated, and our result suggested that 14,15-OH configuration was directly related to the cytotoxicities of bufadienolides.
Antidiabetic Activity of Terminalia sericea Constituents
Authors: Nkobole Nolitha , Houghton Peter James , Hussein Ahmed , Lall Namrita
Published: March 2019

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that affects more than 100 million people worldwide. South African plants namely Terminalia sericea, Euclea natalensis, Warbugia salutaris, Aloe ferox, Artemisia afra, Sclerocarya birrea, Spirostachys africana and Psidium guajava were investigated for their in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase properties, and antioxidant activities. Terminalia sericea stem bark extract showed the best results against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an acetone extract of T. sericea stem bark led to the isolation of four known compounds namely β-sitosterol (1), β-sitosterol-3-acetate (2), lupeol (3), and stigma-4-ene-3-one (4), in addition to two inseparable sets of mixtures of isomers [epicatechin-catechin (M1), and gallocatechin-epigallocatechin (M2). 1 and 3 showed the best inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase (IC50:54.5 and 66.5 μM). Bio-evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the purified compounds on α-amylase showed that 3 and 1 exhibited IC50 values of 140.7 and 216.02 μM, respectively against α-amylase. Compounds 2, M1, 3 and M2 were found to be nontoxic to Vero cells. This study is the first to report α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity of M1, M2, 2 and 4 isolated from T. sericea, which validated the traditional use of the bark of T. sericea for diabetes in South Africa.
Alkaloids from Papaver coreanum
Authors: Lee Dong-Ung , Park Jong Hee , Wessjohann Ludger , Schmidt Jürgen
Published: March 2019

The alkaloid pattern of the endemic plant Papaver coreanum Nakai (Papaveraceae) was determined for the first time. Eight alkaloids could be identified by LC/ESIMS/MS and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Among them, protopine and allocryptopine represent the main components. Besides norsanguinarine, sanguinarine, dihydrosanguinarine, oxysanguinarine, lincangenine, and cryptopine, some other trace alkaloids were found whose structures remain unknown.
Two New Rotenoids from Boerhavia repens
Authors: Nazir Mamona , Saleem Muhammad , Riaz Naheed , Hafeez Maria , Sultan Misbah , Jabbar Abdul , Ali Muhammad Shaiq
Published: March 2019

Two new rotenoids, boerharotenoids A (1) and B (2), and four known compounds, boeravinone (3), 5,7,3′-trihydroxycoumaronochromone (4), boeravinone F (5), and eupalitin-3- O-β-D-galactopyranoside (6), have been isolated from Boerhavia repens and their structures established by spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometric comparison with literature values.