bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Rules According to Young Children
Authors: Carter Margaret Anne
Published: March 2019

THIS PAPER REPORTS THE viewpoint of 10 children (aged five–six years) on social rules in their Catholic (Singapore) preschool classrooms. Rather than doing research on children and construing a judgement on their behalf, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the children. This study provides valuable insights into children's meaning-making about social practices, examples and non-examples of social rules, and how children view themselves as rule learners and followers. Themes recognised through the analysis process identified that children were united in their views about conventional social norms, including their understanding of and necessity for the rules (Thornberg, 2008b). The children acknowledged specific social standards as essential practices for an orderly and harmonious preschool environment.
Smoothing the Way: Investigating the Role of a Supported Playgroup Located at a School
Authors: Knaus Marianne , Warren Judy , Blaxell Rebecca
Published: March 2019

THE TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN is a period of change that can be challenging for many children and their families. While there is wide recognition for the need to support children before and during periods of transition, there is little research on the role of how supported playgroups assist children and families. This research tracked a cohort of children who attended a supported playgroup located on school grounds and their transition to kindergarten the following year. The study was conducted at a metropolitan school in a low socioeconomic suburb of Perth, Western Australia and included data from the children, families and school staff. The social and emotional development and learning dispositions of the kindergarten class were observed in the early weeks of the new school year. Interviews with the families and school staff examined perspectives on how the children transitioned into kindergarten. The supported playgroup and the relationships formed between all stakeholders were instrumental in the smooth transition to the kindergarten program.
Supporting Young Children's Oral Language and Writing Development: Teachers' and Early Childhood Educators' Goals and Practices
Authors: Peterson Shelley Stagg , McIntyre Laureen J. , Forsyth Donna
Published: March 2019

THIS PAPER REPORTS ON interview research involving 36 primary teachers and early childhood educators from northern communities in four Canadian provinces. Interview responses show that participants support young children's oral language by creating meaningful contexts to use language for a variety of purposes. They use repetition and provide contextual information when teaching vocabulary through songs, rhymes, visuals and dramatic play. Those who teach indigenous and French Immersion students identify a need to learn more about bridging children's home and school cultures and languages. Although participants value writing as a social practice, their teaching focuses on supporting children's fine motor development and understandings about concepts about print. Given the importance of oral and written language to children's learning, our research has potential to bring needed attention to professional development needs in these two important areas.
‘Caterpillars and Catalysts’: A Year of Literacy Learning in an Early Years Classroom Privileging Dramatic Pedagogies
Authors: Harden Annette
Published: March 2019

‘CATERPILLARS AND CATALYSTS’ follows the journey into literacy of one of four young children whose case studies formed a major part of a PhD research study. Using the metaphor of the hungry caterpillar, the author traces the effect on writing development of a pedagogy privileging drama and puppetry, supported by explicit phonics teaching. The context was a Queensland school in the inaugural year of Preparatory schooling, 2007. The findings of the study, in relation to children's development, included a strong motivation and persistence in writing within dramatic play and real-life contexts, as well as a sense of agency as capable writers. The implications of the research were that dramatic pedagogies may assist teachers to provide an authentic and balanced approach to introducing the alphabetic symbol system, giving it meaning and relevance in young children's lives.ood education and care (ECEC) it is understood in
Playing Cool: The Sustainable Cool Cubby
Authors: Boyd Wendy
Published: March 2019

PLAYING IN CUBBY HOUSES has been a long tradition with children. When a cubby house is given sustainable lifestyle components—that is, converted into a ‘Cool Cubby’—how does this influence awareness about sustainability? Since 2009 there have been significant innovations in Australia to promote sustainable practices, and the Cool Cubbies Project is a small-scale example of such an initiative. Giving cubby houses sustainable components is innovative, and represents a play-based approach to teaching, in line with early childhood principles of learning. This paper reports on an evaluation of the Cool Cubbies Project (Rous Water, 2015). Cubby houses in five preschools were converted into Cool Cubbies by adding features of sustainable living, including biodiversity, water, waste and energy. An evaluation of the impact of Cool Cubbies raised awareness about sustainable living with young children, educators, families and community. This is a key example of developing resources to support a more sustainable future, through the act of creating a learning resource grounded in sustainable practices for children's play.
A Cooperative Pedagogical Program Linking Preschool and Foundation Teachers: A Pilot Study
Authors: Dunham Annette , Skouteris Helen , Nolan Andrea , Edwards Susan , Small Jennifer
Published: March 2019

THE TRANSITION TO FORMAL schooling is a significant milestone for young children and their families. Congruence between an early childhood setting and school experience is known to impact on children's positive start to school. Despite policy efforts at the Victorian state level, preschool educators and Foundation teachers do not have a strong understanding of the curriculum, pedagogical and assessment practices used in the alternate setting. This paper reports on the ‘Alliance Project’ that sought to support preschool educators and Foundation teachers to work cooperatively to better understand each other's practices. Drawing from sociocultural theory, the Alliance Project employed an interventionist methodology to work with preschool educator and Foundation teacher pairings on a joint planning initiative. Participants on the Alliance Project gained increased familiarity with the alternate setting's curriculum, pedagogy and assessment practices, and an increased capacity to work cooperatively across both settings to address the needs of transitioning children.
Effectiveness of a Video Modelling Intervention in a shy, Withdrawn Preschool Child
Authors: Smart Emily , Green Vanessa A. , Lynch Tegan E.
Published: March 2019

SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL IN EARLY childhood may indicate a lack of knowledge of social skills or extreme shyness. If required, an early intervention program is the best way to ensure that the behaviour does not manifest into a more significant problem for the individual. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of a video modelling intervention, demonstrating sharing, on the generalisation of social skills in a socially withdrawn preschooler. The intervention consisted of a target child watching a video—showing children of the same gender and age—that demonstrates children performing a ‘sharing’ sequence of behaviour. Interval sampling was used in the data collection. Results indicated a positive response to the intervention, demonstrated by an increase in the related social skills of positive verbalisations, maintained reciprocal play and reduced adult interaction. Results are discussed with reference to how behaviour is affected through natural contingencies and innate factors within the child.
Building Pedagogical Leadership Knowledge in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Carroll-Lind Janis , Smorti Sue , Ord Kate , Robinson Lesley
Published: March 2019

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES A research and development project that trialled a coaching and mentoring methodology with pedagogical leaders in early childhood settings in Aotearoa New Zealand. The methodology, which drew on ‘third-generation’ cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) was taught to leaders who were coached and mentored to use it as a mediating tool to identify connections between everyday leadership tensions and systemic contradictions (as identified within CHAT). The paper elaborates on the way in which participants came to understand the centre as an activity system and learned to ‘play the system’ rather than the person in the exploration and resolution of contradictions. They did so through engaging in productive change conversations with colleagues within their workplace settings. The paper concludes by confirming the potential of CHAT as a tool for building pedagogical leadership capacity through using tension and/or conflicting views as starting points in developing shared meanings and practices.
The Pushes and Pulls of Pedagogy in the Early Years: Competing Knowledges and the Erosion of Play-based Learning
Authors: Barblett Lennie , Knaus Marianne , Barratt-Pugh Caroline
Published: March 2019

IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, EARLY childhood educators have been asking whose agenda does early childhood knowledge serve and for what purpose? This has come to the forefront of debate as play as a pedagogical tool is disappearing from programs for four- and five-year-old children in favour of early academics through a pushdown curriculum. Such a trend was confirmed from research conducted with 200 Western Australian early years educators (mainly teachers) to discuss their most concerning early childhood pedagogical issue. This paper describes the educators' most significant concern, which was the erosion of play-based learning and the tension about the use of play as a legitimate pedagogical tool in early years programs. The analysis revealed competing knowledge about current moves in early childhood education. The knowledge shared by educators has implications for quality learning and teaching in the early years and impacts on children, educators, parents and schools, and in particular, early childhood pedagogy.
Transition to School Anxiety for Mothers of Children with Food Allergy: Implications for Educators
Authors: Sanagavarapu Prathyusha , Said Maria , Katelaris Constance , Wainstein Brynn
Published: March 2019

PARENTAL CONCERNS FOR THE safety of their children with food allergy greatly increase once they reach ‘school age’, yet those concerns have not been investigated to date, despite the increasing attendance of children with food allergy in schools in Australia and globally. This pilot study explored 10 affected Australian mothers' feelings and perspectives of their children's transition to school.

The results from Photo Elicitation Interviews revealed that mothers were anxious, concerned about their children's safety, and they perceived food allergy risks to be comparatively greater in schools than in prior-to-school settings, especially in the school playground. Mothers had a myriad of concerns relating to trusting and transferring the responsibility for their children's safety to school staff, as well as to the children themselves. Additionally, they were concerned about other parents' negative attitudes towards food allergy or affected children and families, and normalising children's school life with food allergy. Although based on a small sample, the findings have important implications for educators to ease parental anxiety and facilitate their child's positive start to school.
The ‘dark side’ of leadership in early childhood education
Authors: Brooker Melinda , Cumming Tamara
Published: March 2019

It could be suggested that persistent workforce problems in the early childhood (EC) field in Australia – such as job satisfaction and turnover may be related to ineffective leadership practices, low pay and lack of professional acknowledgement. In this article we report on a small qualitative study completed in 2017, investigating 12 educators’ experiences of what could be described as ‘dark side’ leadership practices. Purposeful sampling was used to select educators who had expressed dissatisfaction with leaders on a Facebook forum for early childhood educators. Findings revealed all of Oplatka’s elements of ‘dark side’ leadership practices and ideologies at work, with the addition of two new types of ‘dark side’ leadership practices – ‘acts of courage’ and ‘meat in the sandwich’. The evidence these data provide of regulatory breaches, discrimination and bullying highlight the critical need for action by employers, regulatory authorities and unions to better support educators and their leaders in their work environments.
Early childhood educators’ perceptions of the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF): Engaged professional learners
Authors: White Antoinette D , Fleer Marilyn
Published: March 2019

Educational change is dependent on the practices and perceptions of educators. Yet efforts to sustain teacher’s adoption and implementation of reform packages often deteriorate over time. Monitoring educators’ engagement across the reform process, and making adaptions to reflect key findings, is central to successful implementation. This cultural–historical study explored trends in early childhood educators’ perceptions of an Australian nation-wide educational reform, making recommendations based on the findings. Results from the Baseline Evaluations of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) represented the initiation phase, whilst an online questionnaire explored educators’ attitudes and concerns four years on. Data analysis included a thematic and content analysis where the dialects of everyday concepts and scientific concepts helped give meaning to the clusters found. Whilst findings show an overall positive orientation towards the EYLF, concerns are evident at both moments in time. Although this initially suggests educators have not progressed in their implementation of the framework, a theorisation of the results suggests educators are seeking effective means of transforming professional concepts of the EYLF into practice.
Digital technology use by and with young children: A systematic review for the Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies
Authors: Mantilla Ana , Edwards Susan
Published: March 2019

This paper reports on a systematic review of the literature conducted to inform Early Childhood Australia (ECA) in the development of a national Statement on Young Children and Digital Technologies. The review examines empirical studies published between 2012 and 2017 identified through systematic screening to advise adults on appropriate digital technology use ‘by and with’ young children aged birth to eight years. Four themes are canvassed in this review: (1) healthy practices; (2) relationships; (3) pedagogy and (4) digital play. Findings from the themes suggest advice for adults working in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector about appropriate digital technology use ‘by and with’ young children.
Creating a Legion of Diabetes Patient Advocates: DPAC Policy Training Meeting and Hill Day
Authors: Garrison Laurel E. , Bubb Erin , McCarthy Moira , Marchand Aprigliano Christel
Published: March 2019

The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) held a Policy Training Meeting and Hill Day September 29-October 1, 2018, in Washington, DC. Attendees were members of DPAC’s Board of Directors and Staff, Patient Advisory Board, and individuals identified through a competitive call for applicants on DPAC’s website and social media. We were joined by advocates from the Association of Black Cardiologists and the Endocrine Society. The Policy Training Meeting focused on teaching citizen advocates how to share their stories with legislators while integrating facts and statistics to reinforce their experiences. After two days of training, we met with our legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss two closely related issues: access to affordable insulin and diabetes self-management training. The partnership of patient advocates and health care providers was a powerful tool to get our message across. Meetings like this encourage open discussion and networking as well as education regarding individual advocacy. They are an effective way to bring people together as allies for the diabetes community. DPAC plans to hold additional Policy Training Meetings to develop leaders in each state who represent the voice of people living with diabetes.
Phytochemical Characterization of the Australian (Aboriginal) Medicinal Plant Dolichandrone heterophylla and Influence of Selected Isolated Compounds on Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Dzeha Thomas , Wende Kristian , Harms Manuela , Wilson Ju Ju (Burriwee) , Kohen Jim , Vemulpad Subra , Jamie Joanne , Lindequist Ulrike
Published: March 2019

The Miriwoong Aboriginal people of Eastern Kimberley, Western Australia use the leaves and bark of Dolichandrone heterophylla (R. Br.) F. Muell., Bigoniaceae, to treat sores, rashes, grazes, scabies, boils and wounds. Bioassay guided fractionation of an aqueous extract of the leaves and twigs led to the isolation of the known compounds caffeic acid, the phenylethanoids isoacteoside (1) and acteoside (2), and the flavonoids chrysoeriol and luteolin. The structures of these compounds were determined using mass spectrometric and 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic data and verified by comparison with those in the literature. Studies of the effect of isoacteoside (1) and chrysoeriol on HaCaT keratinocytes using the MTT assay revealed that chrysoeriol had growth inhibitory properties towards the cell line in a dose dependent manner (IC50 = 31 μM) whereas 1 was well tolerated up to 50 μM. On the other hand, 1 inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Dolabellane Diterpenes from Cleome Droserifolia
Authors: Fathy Hoda M. , Aboushoer Mohamed I. , Harraz Fathallah M. , Omar Abdallah A. , Goetz Gilles , Tabacchi Rafael
Published: March 2019

Three diterpenoid dolabellane esters were isolated from Cleome droserifolia. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectral as well as chemical methods. These dolabellanes (I, II and III) are ester derivatives of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid (3-HMGA). Compounds I and II have the second (3HMGA) carboxyl function free, while compound III is the methyl ester of compound I. This is the first report of the isolation of this class of compounds from the genus Cleome and is the first report of the isolation of compound III from a natural source. In addition, eight flavone derivatives were isolated.
Isoflavonoids from an Egyptian Collection of Colutea Istria
Authors: Radwan Mohamed M.
Published: March 2019

Two new isoflavonoids have been isolated from the aerial parts of Colutea istria Lam. of Egyptian origin and identified as (3 R)-7-hydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxyisoflavan-2′,5′-quinone (1) and 6,3′-dihydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (2). Their structures were determined by various 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were evaluated. Compound 1 displayed selective antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with an IC50 value of 20 μg/mL.
A Flavonoid Glycoside from the Leaves of Morinda Tinctoria
Authors: Sahoo Atish K. , Narayanan Nisha , Rajan S. , Mukherjee Pulok K.
Published: March 2019

Tilianin (acacetine-7- O-β-D-glucopyranoside) was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Morinda tinctoria Roxb. and its structure established unambiguously by a series of 1D- and 2D-NMR analyses. This is the first record of this compound for this species. The antioxidant activity of tilianin, determined using the DPPH scavenging assay, was measured with an IC50 value of 57.5 μg/mL.
New Anthocyanins from Stem Bark of Castor, Ricinus Communis
Authors: Byamukama Robert , Jordheim Monica , Kiremire Bernard , Andersen Øyvind M.
Published: March 2019

Two new anthocyanins (1, 2) were isolated from the stem bark of the castor plant, Ricinus communis L. by a combination of chromatographic techniques. The structures of the compounds were elucidated, mainly by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry, to be cyanidin 3- O-β-xylopyranoside-5- O-β-glucopyranoside (1) (21%), and cyanidin 3- O-β-xylopyranoside-5- O-(6′”- O-malonyl-β-glucopyranoside) (2) (79%). In addition, cyanidin 3- O-β-xylopyranoside-5- O-(6′”- O-methylmalonate-β-glucopyranoside) (3), formed by methyl esterification of the malonyl unit of 2 during isolation and storage, was identified.
Analysis of Chemical Constituents of Tithonia Rotundifolia Leaf Essential Oil Found in Nigeria
Authors: Gbolade Adebayo A. , Tira-Picos Vânia , Nogueira J.M.F.
Published: March 2019

The essential oil from Tithonia rotundifolia leaf growing wild in Osun State, Nigeria obtained by hydro-distillation has been characterised for the first time by combined GC and GC-MS analyses. Forty-six components representing 93.8% of the total oil have been fully identified. The oil is characterised largely by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (78.1%), represented chiefly by germacrene D (33%) and β-caryophyllene (25.8%). The less important classes of components are monoterpene hydrocarbons (5.1%), oxygenated monoterpenes (0.3%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (3.1%) and non-terpenes (7.2%).
Essential oil Composition of Dendropanax Gonatopodus from Monteverde, Costa Rica. An ab Initio Examination of Aromadendrane Sesquiterpenoids
Authors: Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

The leaf essential oil of Dendropanax gonatopodus from Monteverde, Costa Rica, has been obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition determined by GC-MS. The major components in the leaf oil were ( E)-2-hexenal (16.9%), terpinolene (14.8%), δ-cadinene (13.5%), ( E)-caryophyllene (9.9%), and α-copaene (7.3%). Minor amounts of the aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids aromadendrene (0.3%), alloaromadendrene (0.3%), spathulenol (0.6%) and globulol (0.6%) were also detected. An ab initio investigation of the aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids has been carried out using both density functional (B3LYP/6-31G*) and post Hartree-Fock (MP2/6-31G**) methods. The calculated relative energies of the aromadendranes belie their relative concentrations generally observed in essential oil compositions.
Minor Chemical Constituents of Vitex Pinnata
Authors: Ata Athar , Mbong Nathan , Iverson Chad D. , Samarasekera Radhika
Published: March 2019

From the bark of Vitex pinnata, one new iridoid glucoside, pinnatoside (1) and three known flavonoids, viscioside (2), apigenin (3), and luteolin (4), were isolated. Structures of these compounds were determined from NMR spectroscopic studies. Compound 1 exhibited modest antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
Alkaloids from Lindera Aggregata
Authors: Gan Li-She , Yao Wei , Mo Jian-Xia , Zhou Chang-Xin
Published: March 2019

Eight alkaloids, including a new compound, (+)-norboldine acetate (1), and seven known ones, (+)-norboldine (2), (+)-boldine (3), (+)-laurotetanine (4), (+)- N-methyllaurotetanine (5), (+)-reticuline (6), (–)-pronuciferine (7), and pallidine (8) were isolated from the roots of Lindera aggregata. The structures of these alkaloids were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods, especially 2D NMR techniques, which also allowed the first full NMR assignments of alkaloids 2, 4 and 5. Among them, the 1D NMR chemical shifts of (+)-norboldine (2) showed a remarkable environmental sensitive behavior. All the alkaloids were tested in cytotoxicity assays against L1210 and K562 tumor cell lines; only (+)-norboldine (2) showed weak activity against the L1210 cell line.
Dibromopyrrole Alkaloids from the Marine Sponge Acanthostylotella sp
Authors: Ebada Sherif Saeed , Edrada-Ebel RuAngelie , de Voogd Nicole J. , Wray Victor , Proksch Peter
Published: March 2019

Fourteen dibromopyrrole alkaloids were isolated from the marine sponge Acanthostylotella sp. collected in Indonesia. In addition to the known compounds 4,5-dibromo-N-(methoxy-methyl)-1 H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide (7), 4,5-dibromo-1 H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide (8), mukanadin D (9), (±)-longamide B methyl ester (10), (±)-longamide B (11), (±)-longamide (12), 3,4-dibromo-1 H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide (13), 2-cyano-4,5-dibromo-1 H-pyrrole (14), six compounds were isolated that proved to be new natural products including acanthamides A – D (1 – 4), methyl 3,4-dibromo-1 H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (5) and 3,5-dibromo-1 H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (6). The structures of the new compounds were unequivocally identified based on one and two dimensional NMR and on HRFTMS as well as by comparison with the literature.
Isoprenylated Flavanones and Dihydrochalcones from Macaranga Trichocarpa
Authors: Syah Yana M. , Hakim Euis H. , Achmad Sjamsul A. , Hanafi Muhamad , Ghisalberti Emilio L.
Published: March 2019

Two isoprenylated flavanones, macatrichocarpins A and B, and two isoprenylated dihydrochalcones, macatrichocarpins C and D, have been isolated and identified from the acetone extract of the leaves of Macaranga trichocarpa. The structures of these compounds were determined based on spectroscopic data, including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HREIMS data. This is the first report of the presence of dihydrochalcone derivatives in the genus Macaranga.
Antioxidants from the Leaf Extract of Byrsonima Bucidaefolia
Authors: Castillo-Avila G. Margarita , García-Sosa Karlina , Peña-Rodríguez Luis M.
Published: March 2019

The radical scavenging assay-guided fractionation of the leaf extract of Byrsonima bucidaefolia Standl. yielded two metabolites with antioxidant activity, identified as methyl gallate (1) and methyl m-trigallate (2) on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Both 1 and 2 were identified as artifacts of the extraction and/or the purification process, possibly resulting from transesterification of precursor gallotannins. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of both the isolated metabolites 1 and 2 and three of their derivatives (3-5), showed that 1 and 2 have a stronger antioxidant activity than vitamin C when tested using the DPPH reduction assay.
Synthesis of Daldinol and Nodulisporin A by Oxidative Dimerization of 8-Methoxynaphthalen-1-ol
Authors: Krohn Karsten , Aslan Abdulselam
Published: March 2019

The synthesis of two natural products, the para-para dimer of 8-methoxynaphthalen-1-ol (2), daldinol (3), and the related ortho-para dimer nodulisporin A (4) was achieved by the oxidation of 2 with ammonium metapervanadate (NH4VO3).
Essential Oil Compositions of Three Lantana Species from Monteverde, Costa Rica
Authors: Walden Ashley B. , Haber William A. , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

The leaf essential oils of three species of Lantana from Monteverde, Costa Rica ( L. camara, L. velutina, and L. hirta) were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical compositions determined by GC-MS analysis. The principal components of L. velutina were limonene (21.4%), ( E)-caryophyllene (23.4%) and bicyclogermacrene (8.2%). The leaf oil composition of L. hirta was relatively simple, containing mostly 1-octen-3-ol (64.6%), germacrene D (24.5%), and ( E)-caryophyllene (10.9%). Two different samples of L. camara, however, yielded vastly different leaf oil compositions; one was dominated by sesquiterpenes, ( E)-caryophyllene (30.3%), γ-muurolene (27.2%), bicyclogermacrene (24.4%) and β-elemene (14.2%); the second sample, on the other hand, was composed largely of fatty acid-derivatives, ( Z)-3-hexenol and 1-octen-3-ol. The very different compositions for L. camara are consistent with the wide diversity of chemical compositions observed in previous reports for this species.
Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial Activity and Composition of Essential Oil from Tanacetum balsamita L. Subsp. Balsamita
Authors: Yousefzadi Morteza , Ebrahimi Samad Nejad , Sonboli Ali , Miraghasi Farah , Ghiasi Shahla , Arman Mitra , Mosaffa Nariman
Published: March 2019

The aerial parts of Tanacetum balsamita subsp. balsamita were collected at full flowering stage from Tabriz, Iran. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by combination of capillary GC and GC-MS. Twenty seven components were identified, representing 99.2% of the total oil. Carvone (51.0%), β-thujone (20.8%), 1,8-cineole (4.4%) and α-thujone (3.2%) were the main components. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of T. balsamita subsp. balsamita was studied against eight Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria ( Bacillus subtilis, B. pumulis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungi ( Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger). The results of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil according to the disc diffusion method and MIC values indicated that the oil exhibited moderate to high antimicrobial activity. The in vitro toxicological study based on the MTT cytotoxicity assay on human fetal skin fibroblast (HFSF) and Monkey kidney (Vero) cell lines showed IC50 values of 2500 and 1250 μg/mL, respectively.
Laurencia Filiformis: Phytochemical Profiling by Conventional and HPLC-NMR Approaches
Authors: Dias Daniel A. , White Jonathan M. , Urban Sylvia
Published: March 2019

Chemical investigation of the southern Australian marine alga Laurencia filiformis forma heteroclada resulted in the isolation of two new compounds, cycloisoallolaurinterol (16) and isoallolaurinterol (23), along with the previously reported sesquiterpenes filiformin (1), filiforminol (2), allolaurinterol (3) and bromolaurenisol (10). All structures were secured by detailed spectroscopic analysis since no previous 2D NMR studies had been described for compounds 1, 2 and 10. As a result of this study, the first single X-ray diffraction study for 1 was secured. The investigation of the chemical conversion of allolaurinterol (3) to filiformin (1) was monitored by on-flow HPLC-NMR, which also resulted in the identification of 23. We propose that both compounds 16 and 23 are formed as artefacts from allolaurinterol (3). HPLC-NMR was used to profile the crude extract of a marine organism, as well as for monitoring online compound chemical conversions. Both on-flow and stop-flow HPLC-NMR were successfully applied in the chemical profiling and compound chemical conversion studies of L. filiformis forma heteroclada. Compounds 2 and 3 displayed antimicrobial activities.
Brown Seaweed Defensive Chemicals: A Structure-activity Relationship Approach for the Marine Environment
Authors: Bianco Éverson Miguel , Teixeira Valéria Laneuville , Pereira Renato Crespo , de Souza Alessandra Mendonça Teles , Nucci Pedro , Afonso Ilidio Ferreira , Rodrigues Carlos Rangel , Castro Helena Carla
Published: March 2019

The literature describes several diterpenes from brown seaweeds that act as defensive chemicals against natural enemies, such as competitors, epiphytes, pathogenic bacteria and herbivores. A structure-activity relationship is here presented using a new molecular modeling approach to identify structural and chemical features important to the defensive profile of four structurally related diterpenes (three dolastanes and one seco-dolastane) from Canistrocarpus cervicornis against the feeding process of the omnivorous sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Our experimental data revealed the herbivory inhibitory profile (HIE) for three of these evaluated compounds with (4R, 7R, 14S)-4α, 7α-diacetoxy-14-hydroxydolast-1(15),8-diene presenting the highest effect (HIE = 70%). Interestingly, the molecular modeling results infer that this biological activity seems to be related to several different structural features, including HOMO distribution, the molecular structure conformation, and the fulfillment of minimum requirements regarding molecular weight. These results reinforce the hypothesis about the intricate biological mechanism of these molecules due to the complexity of their chemical structures. Our work may help in the understanding of these defensive mechanisms and point to a new perspective of ecological and/or evolutionary evaluation in this area.
Bioactive (+)-Manzamine A and (+)-8-Hydroxymanzamine A Tertiary Bases and Salts from Acanthostrongylophora Ingens and Their Preparations
Authors: Samoylenko Volodymyr , Khan Shabana I. , Jacob Melissa R. , Tekwani Babu L. , Walker Larry A. , Hufford Charles D. , Muhammad Ilias
Published: March 2019

The genus Acanthostrongylophora is famous for producing a wide array of manzamine alkaloids as natural hydrochloride salts. An examination of A. ingens has now yielded two tertiary bases, (+)-8-hydroxymanzamine A (1) and (+)-manzamine A (2), by chromatography over alumina using CHCl3-MeOH-NH3·H2O as solvent. In addition, (+)-8-hydroxymanzamine A hydrochloride (3) and (+)-manzamine A hydrochloride (4) were isolated under the same conditions from the same source by silica gel chromatography. The structures of 1-4 were determined from 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra and by circular dichroism experiments, and the spectral features of the bases 1 and 2 were found to be different from those of the salts 3 and 4. Compounds 3 and 4 were deprotonated by both Al2O3 and strong base to afford 1 and 2, which were converted again to their respective salts 3 and 4. Both the compounds 1 and 3 showed equally potent in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and –resistant (W2) strains of P. falciparum (IC50= 19.5 and 22.0 ng/mL vs. 27.0 and 36.5 ng/mL, respectively), while 2 was >3-fold less potent than 4 (IC50= 20.8 and 25.8 ng/mL vs. 6.1 and 7.3 ng/mL, respectively). Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed good antimicrobial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium intracellulare and antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes. In contrast, manzamine A base (2) showed relatively weaker antimicrobial, antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities [towards cancer (HepG2: Human hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma), and non-cancer cells (VERO: Monkey kidney fibroblast; LLC-PK11: Pig kidney epithelial)], compared with salt 4.
Exudate Flavonoids of Some Juglandaceae
Authors: Wollenweber Eckhard , Dörr Marion
Published: March 2019

Six species of Juglandaceae have been checked for the occurrence of flavonoid aglycones on their leaf and fruit surfaces. Except for one, they exhibit flavonols, mostly methyl ethers of kaempferol and quercetin, including 6- O-substituted derivatives. Apigenin and acacetin are the only flavones found so far. Flavonoids accumulated on leaves are different from those excreted on green fruits. It has become evident that in future studies greater attention must be paid to the localization of flavonoid aglycones in different plant organs.
Chemical Constituents of the Fruits of Gleditschia Australis Hemsl
Authors: Van Nguyen Thi Hong , Quang Tran Hong , Cuong Nguyen Xuan , Dung Nguyen The , Van Minh Chau , Van Kiem Phan
Published: March 2019

From the methanolic extract of the fruits of Gleditschia australis Hemsl., a new flavonoid derivative 3″- O-menthiafoloylisovitexin (1) and a new carbohydrate ester of cinnamic acid 1- O- E-cinnamoyl-[2- O- E-cinnamoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (2) have been isolated along with four known compounds, 1- O- E-cinnamoyl-[3- O- E-cirmamoyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside], isovitexin, luteolin, and quercetin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical and spectroscopic evidence.
Chemical Characterization of Magnolia Biondii (Flos Magnoliae, Xin Yi)
Authors: Schühly Wolfgang , Skarbina Jeannette , Kunert Olaf , Nandi Owi I. , Bauer Rudolf
Published: March 2019

Samples of Magnolia biondii buds (Xin Yi, Flos Magnoliae) from different sources were subjected to phytochemical analysis and compared to samples of M. denudata and M. liliiflora. Among the compounds found in the flower buds of M. biondii were eight tetrahydrofurofuran lignans as well as the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide and the sesquiterpene alcohol oplodiol. A rapid TLC-method for the identification of plant material from M. biondii and its distinction from M. liliiflora was developed. Structure elucidation was carried out by means of NMR (1- and 2-D) and LC-MS.
Antiradical Activity and in Vitro Inhibition of Helicobacter Pylori by Italian Red Wines
Authors: Biagi Marco , Miraldi Elisabetta , Figura Natale , Giachetti Daniela
Published: March 2019

The relevance of H. pylori to the pathogenesis of gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers has been proposed for about the past 25 years; the presence of this bacterium is now established as the main risk factor in the development of stomach carcinomas and lymphomas. Antibiotic treatment does not always inhibit or kill H. pylori because of the potential side effects of antibiotic resistance. Previous research has indicated that red wines have therapeutic benefits against this bacterium. The purpose of our study was to determine the potential of Italian red wines to inhibit H. pylori in a laboratory medium and to compare their antimicrobial activity with that of red grape juice and with isolated procyanidins. The antiradical capacity of Italian red wines was also determined. In conclusion, a novel approach is offered coupling antioxidant benefits of red wines with synergistic effectiveness.
Free-radical Scavenging Activity of Some European Boletales
Authors: Macáková Kateřina , Opletal Lubomir , Polášek Miroslav , Samková Věra , Jahodář Luděk
Published: March 2019

The ethanol extracts of 47 mushroom species from the order Boletales were tested for their free radical scavenging activities by means of the DPPH free-radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assays. In the DPPH radical scavenging test, 26 species gave EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL. The highest activity was exhibited by Gyrodon lividus (0.05 mg/mL). However, in the hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assay, only 4 species had EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL, with the highest activity being exhibited by Strobilomyces floccopus (0.26 mg/mL). When compared with known antioxidants, all the mushroom extracts exhibited relatively low activity in both assays. The free radical scavenging results appeared to be correlated with the total phenol contents of the extracts.
Chemical Characterization of the Lipophilic Fraction of Livistona Decipiens and Livistona Chinensis Fruit Pulps (Palmae) and Assessment of Their Anti-hyperlipidemic and Anti-ulcer Activities
Authors: Kadry Hazem , Shoala Soha , Gindi Omayma El , Sleem Amany A. , Mosharrafa Salwa , Kassem Mona
Published: March 2019

The oil of the dried pulps of Livistona decipiens and L. chinensis palm fruits have been studied for the first time by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for their unsaponifiable matter (USM) and fatty acid composition (FAME). The anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-ulcer activities for both oils were also assayed. The principal fatty acid of L. decipiens pulp oil was oleic acid (53.4 %) and of L. chinensis pulp oil palmitic acid (47.4 %). In relation to anti-hyperlipidemic properties, the pulp oil of L. decipiens presented a better profile than that of L. chinensis, in comparison with the reference standard (simvastatin). In addition, both pulp oils showed high anti-ulcer activity using an indomethacin-induced ulceration technique in rat stomach. The relationship between the anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-ulcer and chemical composition of the pulp oils is also discussed.
Antibacterial Activity and Composition of the Essential Oil of Nepeta Menthoides from Iran
Authors: Sonboli Ali , Gholipour Abbas , Yousefzadi Morteza , Mojarrad Mehran
Published: March 2019

The antibacterial activity and chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial flowering parts of Nepeta menthoides were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-nine compounds representing 97.6% of the total oil were identified. Oxygenated monoterpenes (71.9%) were the principal fraction of the oil with 1,8-cineole (33.8%) and 4aα-7α-7aα-nepetalactone (23.2%) as the main constituents. The antibacterial activity of the oil and its two main constituents were tested against seven bacteria. High activity of the oil and its two main constituents was demonstrated against all the tested bacteria with MIC values in the range of 1.8 - 7.2, 0.9 - 7.2 and 1.8 - 15 mg/mL, respectively.
Essential Oil Composition, Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity of the Leaves of Tetrapleura Tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taubert from Nigeria
Authors: Aboaba Sherifat A. , Ogunwande Isiaka A. , Walker Tameka M. , Setzer William N. , Oladosu Ibrahim A. , Ekundayo Olusegun
Published: March 2019

The composition of the essential oil of the leaves of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taubert. from Nigeria were analyzed by GC/MS. Forty-one compounds representing 89.5% of the essential oil were characterized. The essential oil was dominated by 1,8-cineole (19.4%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (13.6%), phytol (9.1%), α-pinene (8.1%) and geranylacetone (6.7%). The oil exhibited moderate toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay (117.5 μg/mL), and displayed weak antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis.
Osthole: A Promising Lead Compound for Drug Discovery from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Authors: You Lisha , Feng Song , An Rui , Wang Xinhong
Published: March 2019

Natural products have always been important resources either as therapeutic agents or as lead compounds for the production of pharmaceutical compounds. Osthole, 7-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) coumarin, an ingredient of a Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), has received considerable attention recently because of its significant and diverse pharmacological activities, including anticancer, antisteoporotic, and antiproliferative, which make it a very promising natural lead compound for new drug discovery. The present work summarizes the related biological information on osthole and its analogues and proposes the possibility of its development as a promising lead compound for drug discovery.
Synergy Research: A New Approach to Evaluating the Efficacy of Herbal Mono-drug Extracts and Their Combinations
Authors: Wagner Hildebert
Published: March 2019

Synergy research is a new approach to phytomedicinal research. Three events have promoted this development:

1) The demand of the European drug law that the registration of drug preparations must include an assessment that each component of a herbal drug combination contributes to its overall pharmacological effect and therapeutic efficacy;

2) The availability of new high-tech analytical and molecular-biological methods and

3) A conspicuous change of paradigm in conventional medicine from a monodrug concept of treating diseases to a more multidrug therapy.
Sesquiterpene and Acyclic Diterpenes from Hyptis Verticillata Jacq
Authors: Biggs Duanne A. C. , Porter Roy B. R. , Reynolds William F.
Published: March 2019

From the methanolic extract of the plant Hyptis verticillata Jacq, was isolated five compounds: the novel compounds cadina-10(15)-en-3-one and 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethyl hexadec-1-en-3-ol and the known compounds 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol, 7, 11, 15-trimethyl-3-methylenehexadecane-1,2-diol and myo-inositol. All structures were established by spectroscopic means.
A New Rearranged Abietane Diterpene and other Constituents from Clerodendrum Philipinum
Authors: Van Oanh Ha , Sinh Pham Xuan , An Nguyen Thai , Hung Ta Manh , Huong Tran Thi Lan , Que Do Thi Nguyet , Thao Nguyen Phuong , Cuong Nguyen Xuan , Dat Nguyen Tien , Van Minh Chau , Van Kiem Phan
Published: March 2019

From the methanolic extract of the roots of Clerodendrum philipinum, a new rearranged abietane diterpene (1) and eight known compounds were isolated by various chromatography methods. Their structures were identified by means of spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, as 17(15→16),18(4→3)-bisabeo-11,12,14,16-tetrahydroxy-3,5,8,11, 13, 15-abietahexaen-7-one (1), binankadsurin A, clerodenoside A, martynoside, acteoside, isoacteoside, astragalin, β-sitosterol, and daucosterol. Binankadsurin A was found for the first time from a Clerodendrum species.
Genetic and Withaferin A Analysis of Iranian Natural Populations of Withania Somnifera and W. Coagulans by RAPD and HPTLC
Authors: Mirjalili Mohammad Hossein , Fakhr-Tabatabaei Seyyed Mohammad , Alizadeh Houshang , Ghassempour Alireza , Mirzajani Fateme
Published: March 2019

For successful conservation and breeding of a medicinal species, it is important to evaluate its genetic diversity as well as its content of phytochemical compounds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic variation of Iranian natural populations of W. somnifera and W. coagulans, using the RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers, and their withaferin A content. Using 16 RAPD primers, a total of 282 RAPD bands were achieved. The highest and lowest percentages of polymorphism were observed with primers OPAD-15 (100.0%) and OPC-06 (75.0%), respectively. Cluster analysis of the genotypes was performed based on data from polymorphic RAPD bands, using Dice's similarity coefficient and the UPGMA clustering method. Variations in the RAPD results were found to reflect geographical distribution and genetic factors of the plant populations. The HPTLC analysis of the studied samples revealed the presence of withaferin A in W. coagulans and W. somnifera. Moreover, the concentration of withaferin A had a range from 2.2 to 32.5 μg/g DW and was higher in the aerial part than in the root in all used samples. The results of the present study show that there is a high level of variation in the Iranian natural population of Withania, which is significant for conservation and breeding programs to improve production of withaferin A.
Phenolic Glucosides from Flacourtia Indica
Authors: Madan Swati , Pannakal Steve T. , Ganapaty Seru , Singh Gyanendra N. , Kumar Yatendra
Published: March 2019

A new phenolic glucoside, ( rel)-2-(4′,6′-dibenzoyl-β-glucopyranosyloxy)-7-(1α-hydroxy-2α-ethoxy-6α-acetyloxy-3-oxocyclohex-4-enoyl)-benzyl alcohol (Flacourticin) (1) and the known, 2-(4′,6′-dibenzoyl-β-glucopyranosyl)-5-hydroxy benzyl alcohol (4′-benzoylpoliothrysoside) (2) together with the new, (2E)-heptyl-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylate (3), (+)-catechin (4) and sitosterol-β-D-glucoside were isolated from Flacourtia indica. Their structures were assigned on the basis of 1D, 2D-NMR and as well by analysis of the LC-ESIMS data. The isolated compounds (1-4) were evaluated for α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and 3 was found to be two-fold less potent, with an IC50 =12.01 μg/mL, compared to the positive control, Rutin, (IC50 = 5.83 μg/mL).
Fatty Acid Profile and in Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Red Grape (Vitis Vinifera L. Cvs. Öküzgözü and Boğrazkere) Marc Extracts
Authors: Çıbık Bilge , Özaydın Zuhal , Böke Nazlı , Karabay Ülkü , Pekmez Murat , Arda Nazlı , Kırmızıgül Süheyla
Published: March 2019

The marcs of two red grape ( V. vinifera L.) varieties (Boğrazkere and Öküzgözü), grown in eastern Anatolia (Elaziğr), were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The hexane extracts of both varieties were found to contain linoleic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids by GC-MS analyses. The major fatty acid (linoleic acid) was detected relatively as 57.13% in Öküzgözü and 59.07% in Boğrazkere in methylated hexane extracts. In addition, myristic and palmitoleic acids were observed in Boğrazkere as minor components. The free radical (DPPH) scavenging activity of Öküzgözü was higher than that of Boğrazkere. The IC50 values were calculated as 403.0 ± 7.8 μg/mL for Öküzgözü and 552.0 ± 23.6 μg/mL for Boğrazkere. The extracts were found to be effective on the four gram (+) and four gram (-) test bacteria, but not as good as standard antibiotic, gentamycine by MIC method.