bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘When you give them a Pencil they often say they're writing’: Preschool Teachers' Categorisation of Written Language Work with Toddlers
Authors: Lindstrand Sara Hvit , Willén Polly Björk
Published: March 2019

THE SWEDISH PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM was revised in 2010 and introduced more emphasis on literacy development for very young children. In exploring how educators approach and understand these changes to the curriculum, we drew on focus group interviews with 10 preschool teams working with toddlers. As the educators talked about their work with written language with toddlers, they identified a range of activities from their everyday practice that categorised written language in various ways. As well as reporting on what the teachers said, this paper also shows how they participated in the focus groups, showing hesitancy in some cases and using categorisations, contrasts and active voicing as they shared their perspectives. The study's findings suggest that early childhood educators would benefit from engaging more deeply in theories of literacy that align with early childhood education. This will enable them to theorise from their practice and to articulate their understandings and practice within their teams and to others.
Written Numeracy Assessment in the Early Years: The Challenges of Pronouns and Noun Groups
Authors: Exley Beryl , Trimble-Roles Rebecca
Published: March 2019

WE EXAMINE THE CHALLENGES OF pronouns and noun groups in the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority's (ACARA) National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Numeracy Year 3 Example test (ACARA, 2015a). Framed by discourses of Literacy as a General Capability (ACARA, 2015b) in the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics (ACARA, 2015c), the pronouns and noun groups used in the Example test are mapped onto the Australian Curriculum: English Content Descriptions (ACARA, 2015d). The findings are that some of the pronouns and noun groups used in the Example test are more complex than what Year 3 children are expected to achieve in the Australian Curriculum: English. We thus stress the need for early years teachers of mathematics to account for the unique mathematical register of written mathematics problems so that young children are not only prepared for high-stakes written numeracy assessments, but are also enabled as a numerically literate citizen.
‘One of the Kids’: Parent Perceptions of the Developmental Advantages Arising from Inclusion in Mainstream early Childhood Education Services
Authors: Blackmore Roger , Aylward Elizabeth , Grace Rebekah
Published: March 2019

THIS RESEARCH EXPLORED THE perspectives of parents who have enrolled their child with a developmental disability in a mainstream early childhood education service. It asked questions about their experience of engagement with the service, and the extent to which they felt participation in this service was beneficial for their child. Fifteen families whose children had been attending a mainstream service for at least six months were recruited to the study and participated in qualitative interviews. There were four key findings from this study: parents are primarily motivated to enrol their children in mainstream early childhood services because they seek social interactions for their children with typically developing peers; despite increasing support at the policy level for inclusive early childhood education, families encountered many challenges in securing a place for their child at a centre that was willing and able to meet their child's needs; parents felt that their child's development was supported by attendance at a mainstream centre, particularly in relation to communication and behaviour; and parents believed that positive developmental change in their child was the direct result of service quality and imitation through peer interaction.
Transition of Children with Disabilities into Early Childhood Education and Care Centres
Authors: Warren Jane , Vialle Wilma , Dixon Rose
Published: March 2019

THIS PAPER REPORTS ON findings from research (Warren, 2013) which sought to understand, in the New South Wales (NSW) context, the factors impacting on the transition into early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres for children with disabilities from the perspective of both parents of children with disabilities and educators in ECEC centres. The study aimed to identify successes and barriers, and consider potential interventions and procedures that might increase the participation of children with disabilities in ECEC centres. This paper will discuss findings from the educator perspective only, including 37 completed questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from 10 teacher participants. Thematic analysis revealed the importance of communication with parents, relationships with previous service providers, opportunities for professional learning and organisational support.
Safety Risk Intelligence: Children's Concept Formation of Safety and their Individual Capabilities to appraise Risk of Injury
Authors: O'Neill Susie
Published: March 2019

CHILDHOOD INJURIES ARE A growing global public health concern and the main cause of death among children, worldwide. There are proven ways to reduce the likelihood and severity for each area of child injury. Notwithstanding this, children continue to suffer serious injury and death at significant rates in Australia and elsewhere. Strategies have tended to concentrate on identifying a risk factor and seeking ways to address the risk, independent of considering approaches that provide children with a sense of ownership of the safety issues.

There appears to be an absence of scholarly research examining a ‘collective risk intelligence’ as a targeted form of safety-related capacity building. It is this latter safety risk conceptualisation, viewed holistically rather than by issue, that is the focus of this paper. In this paper, it is argued that, when children are given the right opportunities, they can develop safety risk intelligence that equips them with understanding to manage their safety in everyday life. Findings from the SeeMore Safety case study provide the foundation for arguing the concept of safety risk intelligence. How children transform their behaviours in relation to potential hazards in their environment and build a safety risk understanding is captured in the term ‘safety risk intelligence’.
Educators' Perceptions of Facilitating Children's Participation in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Kangas Jonna , Venninen Tuulikki , Ojala Mikko
Published: March 2019

THE AIM OF THIS RESEARCH is to provide a better understanding of children's competence, vulnerability and power issues, and to promote better decision making and protection of children by educators. This means the pedagogy in early childhood education needs to be based on understanding the nature of children's participation and participatory learning. Further on it requires understanding about how the educators working in day care could aim the pedagogical process to supporting children's participation via developing practices. Research is based on a large survey conducted in the Finnish early childhood education (ECE) field and analysed through abductive content analysis. The results show that in the pedagogical process three kinds of participation supporting means could be identified: facilitating environment and atmosphere; facilitating professional skills for learning and supporting children's perspective; and facilitating ongoing participatory practices. Finally, a framework of developing participatory practices was constructed from the findings to represent the pedagogical cycle of participation.
Supporting Children's Resilience: Early Childhood Educator Understandings
Authors: Archdall Kerryn , Kilderry Anna
Published: March 2019

THIS PAPER HAS TWO AIMS. First, it examines how children's resilience is being defined and discussed in literature, and second, it presents findings from a small-scale study that investigated early childhood educator understandings of children's resilience across the curriculum. Considering resilience as a multifaceted construct, the authors question why children's resilience should be a focus for educator practice and how research literature is portraying the role of educators in supporting children to become resilient. The findings illustrate that educators in the study had varied understandings of the notion of resilience and how to support children's resilience. Spontaneous and unplanned teaching strategies were revealed as the educators' main approach of supporting children's resilience. There was also some uncertainty about how to identify resilience according to educators in the study. The study's findings raise critical implications and questions for the early childhood sector, one of these being: Is the fostering and supporting of children's resilience too important an educational issue to be left to the fate of spontaneous incidents to arise in practice?
Social Inclusion and Exclusion of a Young Child: A Cultural–historical Perspective of an International Mid-semester Transition into an International School in Malaysia
Authors: Adams Megan , Fleer Marilyn
Published: March 2019

EXPATRIATE CHILDREN POTENTIALLY experience multiple international transitions in their early childhood years as their parents move countries to fulfill the demands of employment with multinational companies. However, we know very little about the social interaction that occurs as young expatriate children enter into international schools. The focus here is the processes of a mid-semester transition, which resulted in both inclusion and exclusion practices. These processes are explored using Vygotsky's (1994) cultural–historical system of concepts, specifically perezhivanie (the unity of personal and environmental characteristics) and the social situation of development. An analysis of different children's perspectives is presented. In the larger study, 90 hours of data was gathered through video observation, still images, semi-structured interviews and field notes from five families. However, this study presents findings from the interaction of the three-year-old participants. Findings indicate that inclusion and exclusion become part of the values and norms of the classroom due to the demands of the curriculum and the way assessments are organised; this in turn affects the motives of children and their social interaction. The second finding explores the way very young children use complex interaction styles to negotiate forms of inclusion and exclusion.
Children's Literacy Play Environments: Snapshots of Practitioner Research for Change
Authors: Newman Linda
Published: March 2019

THE SEARCH TO IMPROVE achievement in literacy is worldwide. Success is seen as an important social and cultural marker. Contemporary scholars discuss the importance of children's social interactions as they co-construct literacy learning. As early childhood educators play a role in children's communities, their knowledge and literacy teaching and learning approaches are important, and the focus of this paper. Practitioner research, using a literacy environment rating scale and photostories, was used to focus on change in early literacy environments. I share the methods, processes, strategies and approaches for strengthening practice to offer support for others planning and implementing practitioner research or early literacy-focused projects. Action research, accompanied by the use of the mediating artefacts of the scale and photostories, was found to be a useful methodology for change in literacy learning environments, but was not without challenges.
Anti-tuberculosis Compounds from two Bolivian Medicinal Plants, Senecio Mathewsii and Usnea Florida
Authors: Hong Qi , Minter David E. , Franzblau Scott G. , Reinecke Manfred G.
Published: March 2019

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the organic extract of Senecio mathewsii gave four compounds with anti-TB activity: werneria chromene (1), capillarol (2), werneria chromanone (3) and plicatin B (4). All of these are new to the genus Senecio and one of these, werneria chromanone (3), was isolated from a natural source for the first time. With the aid of 2D NMR, revised (1) or new (2–4) spectral assignments were made. Similarly, the major anti-TB activity of Usnea florida was shown to be solely due to usnic acid.
Analysis of Saponin Mixtures from Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) Roots using Mass Spectrometry with MALDI Techniques
Authors: Witkowska H. Ewa , Bialy Zbigniew , Jurzysta Marian , Waller George R.
Published: March 2019

This model study demonstrates the value of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) MS in global analysis of mixtures of saponin isolates. Unfractionated saponin extract derived from alfalfa [Medicago sativa L.] roots was analyzed. In addition, a few saponin fractions that were purified from the same extract by a series of chromatographic steps were also studied. MALDI mass spectrometry utilized TOF, TOF/TOF and QqTOF analyzers. Low-resolution fingerprints of the mixture characterized the sample in terms of a minimal number of distinct saponin components. The main species observed under MALDI-TOF and oMaldi-QqTOF MS positive ion mode conditions were sodiated pseudomolecular ions [M+Na]+. No protonated molecular ions [M+H]+ were detected. The MS/MS spectra acquired on [M+Na]+ precursor ions under conditions of collision induced dissociation (CID) were dominated by cleavages at glycosidic bonds. Product ions representing free aglycones were either absent or present at low intensities and were never observed for structures carrying an oligosaccharide bound to a sapogenin at the C3- O-position. In general, product ion series generated from CID fragmentation of glycans bound via an ether bond ( e.g., C3- O-position in medicagenic acid) were consistent with the gas phase cleavages of each of the glycosidic bonds within the oligosaccharide, thus revealing the primary structure. In contrast, glycans bound via an ester bond ( e.g., C28- O-position in MA) were released as intact sodiated species. A total of 78 pseudomolecular ions demonstrating signal-to-noise ratios above 5 were observed in the MALDI-TOF mass spectrum of unfractionated root extract from M. sativa. Molecular masses of 52 out of 78 were consistent with at least one known or novel saponin structure, with 10 of those 52 likely representing doubly sodiated saponin species. Calculated masses of the majority of the known M. sativa saponin structures were matched to experimental pseudomolecular ion masses. MS/MS analysis of unfractionated extract allowed us to propose putative structures for 51 saponins: 15 of these corresponded to the known M. sativa species, 8 to other Medicago genus species and 26 were not reported before for Medicago genus. We submit that the approach described here might serve as a high throughput strategy for evaluating effects of stressors or genetic manipulation on the overall composition of the saponin content of an organism.
Biosynthesis and Catabolism of Purine Alkaloids in Camellia Plants
Authors: Kato Misako , Ashihara Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

A few Camellia plants accumulate caffeine, theobromine and theacrine. The present article reviews the distribution of purine alkaloids and biosynthetic pathways, including properties and genes of the caffeine synthase family of enzymes, and catabolism. Plant physiological studies and ecology-related studies are also summarized briefly.
Chemical Composition of Diterpenes from the Brown Alga Canistrocarpus cervicornis (Dictyotaceae, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: De Oliveira Aline Santos , Cavalcanti Diana Negrão , Bianco Έverson Miguel , De Paula Joel Campos , Pereira Renato Crespo , Yoneshigue-Valentin Yocie , Teixeira Valéria Laneuville
Published: March 2019

Specimens of two populations of Canistrocarpus cervicornis were collected from two different localities on the Brazilian coast about 2000 kilometers apart. The CH2Cl2 extracts were analyzed by 1H NMR and HRGC-MS techniques. A total of fourteen diterpenes were detected, eight dolastanes (1–8) and five secodolastanes (9–13). The results obtained revealed a typical pattern for C. cervicornis, which did not vary according to the geographical region.
Constituents of ‘Caincin’, a Bioactive Saponin Fraction from the Root-bark of Chiococca alba (L.) Hitch
Authors: Bhattacharyya Jnanabrata , Srivastava S. K. , Agra M. F. , Majetich George
Published: March 2019

‘Caincin’, a bioactive saponin mixture from Chiococca alba (L.) Hitch. (Rubiaceae), first obtained by European workers in nineteenth century and which was thought to be a homogenous material, was investigated by us and resulted in the isolation of three saponins characterized as 3β-[(β-D-glucuronopyranosyl)oxy]-oleana-12,15-dien-28-oic acid, 3β-[(β-D-glucuronopyranosyl)oxy]-oleana-12,15-dien-28-oic acid 6′-ethyl ester, and 3β-[(β-D-glucuronopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyoleana-12,15-dien-28-oic acid 6′- ethyl ester.
Prenylated Xanthones and a Benzophenone from Baphia Kirkii
Authors: Kapingu Modest C. , Magadula Joseph J.
Published: March 2019

From the ethanol extract of the whole stem of Baphia kirkii, three new prenylated xanthones, baphikixanthones A-C, have been isolated together with a new benzophenone, baphikinone, and two common steroids, stigmasterol and β–sitosterol. The structures of the new compounds were established by using NMR spectroscopic and mass spectral analysis.
Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Investigation of Latex from Euphorbia Abyssinica Gmel
Authors: EL-Fiky Fathy , Asres Kaleab , Gibbons Simon , Hammoda Hala , Badr Jihan , Umer Shemsu
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the latex of Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel (Euphorbiaceae) afforded a new hydroxy unsaturated fatty acid, 8( R)-hydroxy-dec-3( E)-en-oic acid (1), in addition to the four known compounds lupeol (2), β-sitosterol (3), oleanolic acid (4) and β-sitosterol-3- O-glucoside (5). The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the isolated compounds, as well as the total methanol extract, were studied against different micro-organisms; compound 1 displayed reasonable antifungal activities towards the tested fungi.
Comparison of Different Techniques for Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Achillea Millefolium Proa
Authors: Trendafilova Antoaneta , Todorova Milka
Published: March 2019

The effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and conventional extraction (CE) on the extraction of biologically active compounds from Achillea millefolium Proa has been investigated. The extracts were analyzed by spectrophotometric methods. The influence of the extraction time and the solvent on the yields of total extract (TEC), total phenolic compounds (TPhC), flavonoids (FC) and sesquiterpene lactones (SLC) has been studied. It was found that TEC and TPhC increased with increasing the solvent polarity in order CHCl3, MeOH and 80% MeOH. The extraction with MeOH gave maximum amount of flavonoids, while the SLC was found to be almost equal in all used solvents. UAE for 60 min and MAE for 60 s afforded higher or almost equal TEC, TPhC and FC than those obtained by CE for 24 h. The best extraction of sesquiterpene lactones was achieved with CHCl3 for 20 min of ultrasound treatment and 20 s of microwave irradiation.
Sedative Effect of Eucalyptus Urophylla and E. Brassiana in Mice
Authors: Teixeira Gisele F.D. , Júnior Roberto C.P. Lima , Silveira Edilberto R. , Freitas Marinalva O. , Campos Adriana R.
Published: March 2019

Essential oils from fresh leaves of Eucalyptus urophylla (EOEU) and E. brassiana (EOEB), obtained by hydrodistillation, were orally administered to Swiss male mice 60 min before experimental procedures. EOEU and EOEB at either 200 or 400 mg/kg were evaluated for sedative/hypnotic activity through pentobarbital sleeping time, locomotor activity by open-field procedure, and anticonvulsant activity through seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole. EOEU and EOEB were effective in increasing the sleeping time, as well as diminishing ambulation in the open-field test. In addition, EOEU (but not EOEB) significantly increased the number of mice protected against PTZ-induced death. Our results are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Eucalyptus species, and, after complementary toxicological studies, could support further investigations to assess their use as sedative agents.
Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Schinus Fasciculata (Griseb.) I.M. Johnst and S. Praecox (Griseb.) Speg
Authors: Murray Ana P. , Rodriguez Silvana A. , Murray María G.
Published: March 2019

Schinus fasciculata and S. praecox (Anacardiaceae) can be found among the characteristic vegetation components of the phytogeographic province of the Espinal. The essential oils from these two species have been obtained from fresh material by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. We have compared the chemical composition of the oils obtained from samples collected at two different natural environments and at different phenological phases. The antioxidant activity of these oils was evaluated by the DPPH assay. S. fasciculata and S. praecox showed significant differences in their chemical composition as well as in their radical scavenger ability. The essential oil from samples of S. fasciculata attacked by plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) was the more active one, with inhibition percentages higher than that of the reference compound.
Occurrence of Sesquiterpene Derivatives in Scleria Striatonux De Wild (Cyperaceae)
Authors: Nyongbela Kennedy , Ndjoko Karine Ioset , Brun Reto , Wittlin Sergio , Mbah James , Makolo Felix , Akam Marc , Wirmum Claire , Efange Simon , Hostettmann Kurt
Published: March 2019

Scleria striatonux (Cyperaceae), a spice traditionally used in Cameroon, displayed an antiplasmodial activity. Two new sesquiterpenes, 1 (sclerienone A) and 2 (sclerienone B), have subsequently been isolated from the methylene chloride/methanol extract of the rhizome. Their separation involved a combination of methods including repeated silica gel open column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Structure elucidation was achieved by means of chemical tests and extensive spectral studies.
Chemical Transformations of Parthenin, a Natural Bioactive Sesquiterpenoid [1]
Authors: Das Biswanath , Satyalakshmi G. , Bhunia Nisith , Reddy K. Ravider , Reddy V. Saidi , Mahender G.
Published: March 2019

Chemical modifications of parthenin, a naturally occurring bioactive sesquiterpenoid, were carried out in regio- and stereoselective manners using various inexpensive reagents to form different natural and unnatural analogues. Reactions including dehydration, reduction, alkylation, addition and hydroxylation have been studied. In some of the analogues, the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety, which plays a vital role for bioactivity of parthenin, remained intact.
Abietane Diterpeniods from Hyptis Verticillata
Authors: Porter Roy B. R. , Biggs Duanne A. C. , Reynolds William F.
Published: March 2019

Seven abietane diterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Hyptis verticillata (Labiatae). One is a novel natural product, 7-acetoxy-16-benzoxy-12-hydroxyabieta-8,12-diene-11,14-dione (1), while the other six known compounds are 11, 14 dihydroxy-12-methoxyabieta-8, 11, 13-triene-7-one (2), 11, 14-dihydroxy-12-methoxy-18(4→3βH) abeo-abieta-4(19),8, 11, 13-tetraene-7-one (3), 7-acetoxy-12-methoxyabieta-8,12-diene-11, 14-dione (4), royleanone (5), 7,6-dehydroroyleanone (6) and 7-acetoxyhorminone (7). All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric means.
Cytotoxic Activity of Cycloartane Triterpenoids from Sphaerophysa Salsula
Authors: Wang Dan , Ma Zhongjun
Published: March 2019

The cytotoxicity of three cycloartane triterpenoids, 9, 19-cycloart-7β, 24R, 25- triol-1-en-3-one (1), 9, 19-cycloart-7β, 24R, 25-triol-1-en-3-one 25-O-β-D-glucopynanoside (2), and 25-O-β-D-arabinopyranosyl-(1→4)- β-D-glucopyranosyl-9, 19-cycloart-7β, 24R, 25-triol-1-en-3-one (3), isolated from Sphaerophysa salsula was investigated on SF188, U87wt, MCF-7, and H460 cancer cell lines. Compound 1 showed the strongest activity. Cell cycle analysis was employed to elucidate the cytotoxicity on the tested U87wt cells, which led to G2/M arrest. In addition, from the Western blotting experiments, the expression of P21 is increased.
Content of Total Carotenoids in Calendula Officinalis L. from Different Countries Cultivated in Estonia
Authors: Raal Ain , Kirsipuu Kadri , Must Reelika , Tenno Silvi
Published: March 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the content of total carotenoids in different collections of pot marigold ( Calendula officinalis L.) inflorescences. Commercial seeds (42 samples) of C. officinalis were obtained from nine countries and cultivated in private gardens in three different counties of Estonia. The content of total carotenoids, determined spectrophotometrically (Λ=455 nm) varied in the investigated collections from 0.20 to 3.51%. The amount of pigments may depend on the type of plants, the importing company, the color of the ligulate and tubular florets, and the place and time of cultivation. For medicinal purposes, C. officinalis with brownish-yellow ligulate and tubular florets should be preferred. The best was found to be ‘Golden Emperor’ from Finland.
Plant Growth Regulating Activity of Three Polyacetylenes from Helianthus Annuus L
Authors: Hong Si Won , Hasegawa Koji , Shigemori Hideyuki
Published: March 2019

Three polyacetylenes, 8-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-hydroxy-1,9, 14-pentadecatriene-4,6-diyne, termed “helian”(1), 8-acetoxy-3-hydroxy-1,9, 14-pentadecatriene-4,6-diyne (2), and 3,8-dihydroxy-1,9, 14-pentadecatriene-4,6-diyne (3) were isolated from seedlings of sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. cv Russia. Compounds 1 and 2, having a β-glucose and an acetoxy group at C-8, respectively, showed a weak effect on the growth of roots and shoots of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and cress ( Lepidium sativum L.), while compound 3, having a free hydroxyl group at C-8, exhibited a growth promoting effect on the roots and shoots of rice and cress.
Salt Stress Induces Production of Melanin Related Metabolites in the Phytopathogenic Fungus Leptosphaeria Maculans
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Yu Yang
Published: March 2019

A search for stress metabolites produced by the plant pathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans (asexual stage Phoma lingam) cultured in high salt medium led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two metabolites associated with melanin biosynthesis and cell melanization, a self-protection mechanism against salt stress. The chemical structures of the metabolites were deduced by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and chemical transformations.
Flavonoids from Tephrosia Calophylla
Authors: Reddy Ramireddy V. Narahari , Khalivulla Shaik I. , Reddy Bandi A.K. , Reddy Mopuru V. Bhaskar , Gunasekar Duvvuru , Deville Alexandre , Bodo Bernard
Published: March 2019

Two new flavanones, (2S)-5-hydroxy-7,4′-di-O-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)flavanone (1) and 6-hydroxy- E-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzylidine)-2′,5′-dimethoxyflavanone (2), together with three known compounds, tephrowatsin C, afrormosin and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the roots of Tephrosia calophylla. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive 2D NMR spectral studies.
Design and Optimization of Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Curcumin as an Effective Alternative for Conventional Solid Liquid Extraction of Natural Products
Authors: Mandal Vivekananda , Dewanjee Saikat , Sahu Ranabir , Mandal Subhash C.
Published: March 2019

The first step in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of medicinal plant constituents is the extraction step. Ideally, an extraction procedure should be exhaustive with respect to the constituents to be analyzed, rapid, simple, and for routine analysis amenable to automation. Usually, the traditional techniques require long extraction times, with more consumption of energy resources and organic solvent, have low efficiency and are often unsafe for thermolabile botanicals. The Taguchi based optimization technique was adapted for the process optimization of ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) of Curcuma longa to identify the effect of four major factors namely, extraction time, solvent viscosity, grinding degree and solvent volume on the percentage extraction of curcumin. The reproducibility and recovery of the method was also investigated. The efficiency of the new extraction method was then compared with conventional solid liquid extraction procedures. Using this novel method, long hours of conventional Soxhlet extraction were cut down to 70 minutes of UAE with greater reproducibility and recovery. The study clearly shows that this method can be effectively utilized for cutting down long extraction time of botanicals to just a few minutes without the aid of heat.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Chaerophyllum Aureum L. (Apiaceae)
Authors: Lakušić Branislava , Slavkovska Violeta , Pavlović Milica , Milenković Marina , Stanković Jelena Antić , Couladis Maria
Published: March 2019

The essential oils of the aerial parts and fruits of Chaerophyllum aureum L., collected from two mountains in Serbia, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sabinene (18.5-31.6%), p-cymene (7.9-25.4%) and limonene (1.9-10.9%) were characterized as the main constituents. The oils were tested against six bacterial strains and one strain of yeast, Candida albicans. The highest antimicrobial activity was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus, while of the Gram-negative strains, Escherichia coli was the most sensitive.
Effects of the Essential Oil from Leaves of Alpinia zerumbet on Behavioral Alterations in Mice
Authors: Murakami Shio , Matsuura Mariko , Satou Tadaaki , Hayashi Shinichiro , Koike Kazuo
Published: March 2019

In phytotherapy, the essential oil from the leaves of Alpinia zerumbet ( Alpinia speciosa K. Schum.) (EOAZ) is used for neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, stress and anxiety, and chronic problems that are associated with reproductive hormone imbalances in women. The chemical composition of EOAZ was analyzed by GC/MS, and the EOAZ properties inducing behavioral alterations in mice were examined by behavioral observations (BO) and an elevated plus-maze task (EPM), widely used as a method for assessing anxiolytic-like behaviors. Five major compounds, p-cymene (28.0 ± 5.0%), 1,8-cineole (17.9 ± 4.2%), terpinen-4-ol (11.9 ± 6.3%), limonene (6.3 ± 2.2%), and camphor (5.2 ± 2.1%) were identified by retention indices, mass spectra and comparison with standards. Inhalational administration of EOAZ (8.7 ppm) induced unique jumping behaviors in mice. To further investigate the behavioral regulatory mechanisms of EOAZ, we administered an intraperitoneal injection of either 10 mg/kg 5-HTP or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine prior to the EOAZ inhalations. By 5-HTP or fluoxetine pretreatments, the jumping frequencies were significantly decreased. In EPM, EOAZ (0.087 and 8.7 ppm) obviously showed the anxiolytic-like activity in mice.
Discovering Protein Kinase C Active Plants Growing in Finland Utilizing Automated Bioassay Combined to LC/MS
Authors: Galkin Anna , Jokela Jouni , Wahlsten Matti , Tammela Päivi , Sivonen Kaarina , Vuorela Pia
Published: March 2019

Protein kinase C (PKC) modulating activity of 81 plant extracts of Finnish origin was investigated with an automated bioassay method combined to LC/MS. Twenty-one extracts from different parts of the plants inhibited PKC significantly. Fractionation of the active extract of Filipendula ulmaria showed that this method was able to identify a PKC inhibiting compound from the extract as quercetin. Our results indicate that this method is suitable for PKC screening of complex matrices and provides a quick and low volume, non-radioactive, alternative method for PKC experiments.
Simultaneous Quantification of Seven Major Bufadienolides in Three Traditional Chinese Medicinal Preparations of ChanSu by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Ma Xiao Chi , Zhang Bao Jing , Xin Xiu Lan , Huang Shan Shan , Deng Sha , Zhang Hou Li , Shu Xiao Hong , Diao Yun Peng , Cui Jian
Published: March 2019

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was applied to the determination of gamabufotalin, telocinobufagin, bufotalin, cinobufotalin, bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin in three traditional Chinese medicinal preparations containing ChanSu. The compounds were separated on a YMC-C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 um) with a gradient of acetonitrile and 0.3% aqueous acetic acid ( v / v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min−1 and detected at 296 nm. Complete separation was obtained within 35 min for the seven bufadienolides. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.999) within the test range. The recovery was 95.5% - 105.9%. The assay could simultaneously determine seven major bufadienolides of the three Chinese medicinal preparations of ChanSu in 35 min. The results obtained suggested that the developed HPLC assay could be comprehensively utilized for the quality control of the three traditional Chinese medicinal preparations of ChanSu used in the clinic.
A New Chalcone from Pongamia Pinnata and its Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Ghosh Anindita , Mandal Suvra , Banerji Avijit , Kar Manoj , Banerji Julie
Published: March 2019

The root bark of Pongamia pinnata Pierre [syn P. glabra (family: Fabaceae)] afforded a new chalcone (karanjapin) and two known flavonoids, a pyranoflavonoid (karanjachromene) and a furanoflavonoid (karanjin) The structure of karanjapin has been established from extensive 2D NMR spectral studies as β,2′-dihydroxy-α,4′-dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxychalcone. Karanjapin and karanjachromene were found to possess significant antioxidant activity. This may play an important role in the pathogenesis of several diseases.
Structure of Anthocyanins from Eugenia Jambolana Fruit
Authors: Li Liya , Zhang Yanjun , Seeram Navindra P.
Published: March 2019

The purple color of the ripe Eugenia jambolana fruit is attributed to anthocyanins, a class of plant pigments that has attracted immense attention due to the potential health benefits of these compounds. There is disagreement in the literature on whether E. jambolana fruit anthocyanins are found as 3,5- or 3-diglucosides. Therefore, we used a combination of HPLC-UV, tandem LC-MS, and NMR techniques to identify the structures of anthocyanins present in E. jambolana fruit collected in the USA and India. Our results indicate that the anthocyanins from both locations occur as 3,5-, but not 3-diglucosides, of delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin, and malvidin. This is the first report to use a combination of spectrometric and spectroscopic methods to identify unequivocally the structures of E. jambolana fruit anthocyanins.
Flavonoids and Polyphenols, Molecular Families with Sunscreen Potential: Determining Effectiveness with an in Vitro Method
Authors: Choquenet Benjamin , Couteau Céline , Paparis Eva , Coiffard Laurence J.M.
Published: March 2019

The numerous uses and properties of flavonoids are well known, in particular their antioxidant, cancer-control and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties can be used to enrich the field of topically-applied sun protection. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of various flavonoids and polyphenols. We have used an in vitro method based on the transmittance measurement after spreading an oil in water emulsion containing either flavonoids or polyphenols on polymethylmetacrylate plates. Chlorogenic acid and apigenin were the best UV-filter and UVA-filter, respectively. The flavonoids and polyphenols studied are good candidates for us e in photoprotective products.
Antimony(III) Chloride Catalyzed Direct Three Component One-pot Mannich Reaction
Authors: Shukla Prashant , Chattopadhyay Nilmadhab , Nayak Sandip K.
Published: March 2019

Antimony(III) chloride catalyzes the three component Mannich type reaction of a variety of in-situ generated Schiff bases generated from aromatic aldehydes and anilines with cyclic/acyclic ketones. The reaction proceeds smoothly at ambient temperature to afford the corresponding β-amino ketones in good yields with moderate to good diastereoselectivity.
Relaxing Effect of Rose Oil on Humans
Authors: Hongratanaworakit Tapanee
Published: March 2019

One increasingly popular type of alternative therapy is aromatherapy, but scientific validation in this field is still rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rose oil ( Rosa damascena Mill, Rosaceae) on human autonomic parameters and emotional responses in healthy subjects after transdermal absorption. In order to exclude any olfactory stimulation the inhalation of the fragrances was prevented by breathing masks. Forty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. Five autonomic parameters, i.e. blood pressure, breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and skin temperature, were recorded. Emotional responses were assessed by means of rating scales. Compared to placebo, rose oil caused significant decreases of breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation and systolic blood pressure, which indicate a decrease of autonomic arousal. At the emotional level, subjects in the rose oil group rated themselves as more calm, more relaxed and less alert than subjects in the control group. These findings are likely to represent a relaxing effect of the rose oil and provide some evidence for the use of rose oil in aromatherapy, such as causing relief of depression and stress in humans.
Antimicrobial Evaluation of Clerodane Diterpenes from Polyalthia Longifolia Var. Pendula
Authors: Sashidhara Koneni V. , Singh Suriya P. , Shukla P.K.
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula has led to the isolation of seven clerodane diterpenoids and five alkaloids. (-)-14, 15-bisnor-3, 11 E-kolavadien-13-one (1), (-)-16-oxocleroda-3,13(14) E-dien-15-oic acid (2), (-)-16α-hydroxycleroda-3,13 (14) Z-dien-15,16-olide (3), (+)-(4→2)-abeo-16(R/S)-2, 13 Z-kolavadien-15, 16-olide-3-al (4), (-)-3β, 16α-dihydroxycleroda-4(18), 13(14) Z-dien45,16-olide (5), (-)-3, 12 E-kolavadien-15-oic acid-16-al (6), (-)-labd-13 E-en-8-ol-15-oic acid (7), liriodenine (8), (-)-anonaine (9), (+)-isoboldine (10), (-)-asimilobine (11) and hordenine (12) have been isolated. This is the first report of 1, 6 and 10 from this plant species while 12 is reported for first time from this genus. Clerodane derivatives 1-7 were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Diterpene 3 was found to be most potent agent with MIC value of 6.25 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Sporothrix schenckii.
Exudate Flavonoids of Primula Spp: Structural and Biogenetic Chemodiversity
Authors: Valant-Vetschera Karin M. , Bhutia Tshering Doma , Wollenweber Eckhard
Published: March 2019

Several new accessions of the genus Primula and of the closely related Cortusa matthioli have been studied for their exudate flavonoid profiles. Unsubstituted flavone, 5-hydroxy-, 2′-hydroxyflavone and 5,2′-dihydroxyflavone were found as main components. Several other rather unusual substitution patterns were also found. 8- O-Substituted flavones appear to be accumulated more often than 6- O-substituted products. Chalcones with corresponding substitution patterns were of scattered occurrence, while flavanones could so far not be detected in exudates of Primula species. The distribution of externally accumulated flavonoids, including literature data, is related to current taxonomic views on the infrageneric grouping of Primula and related taxa. Organ-specific accumulation, biosynthetic and chemosystematic aspects are briefly addressed.
Possibility for Selective Accumulation of Polyphenolics in Tissue Cultures of Senno (Lychnis Senno Siebold et Zucc.)
Authors: Ogita Shinjiro , Miyazaki Junko , Godo Toshinari , Kato Yasuo
Published: March 2019

Senno ( Lychnis senno Siebold et Zucc.), a traditional ornamental plant in Japan had been used as a crude drug acting as natural blood thinners. Since tissue culture protocols have been established, we analyzed polyphenol accumulation profiles in shoot culture, multiple shoot culture, and callus culture using the technique of HPLC with a Photodiode Array Detector. By comparing the HPLC profiles at 220-400 nm from extracts of different cultures, 14 putative flavonoids were confirmed as major metabolites in the cultures of Senno. Among the 14 compounds detected, 6 were tissue specific metabolites. It appears that the biosynthetic pathway of polyphenolics in Senno is regulated or strongly influenced by how tissues are regenerated and maintained in the in vitro environment. Hence, it may be possible to selectively produce novel secondary metabolites including flavonoids by engineering a target tissue culture procedure developed in the present study.
Aureobasidin, New Antifouling Metabolite from Marine-Derived Fungus Aureobasidium sp
Authors: Abdel-Lateff Ahmed , Elkhayat Ehab S. , Fouad Mostafa A. , Okino Tatsufumi
Published: March 2019

Two antifouling compounds, aureobasidin (1), a new ester with an unusual 4,6-dihydroxydecanoic acid residue, and (3 R,5 S)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoic acid (2), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aureobasidium sp., in addition to (5 R,3 Z)-5-hydroxydec-3-enoic acid (3) and ( R)-3-hydroxydecanoic acid (4). The structures were unambiguously established by IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and mass spectral data. Compounds 1-3 were found to be active against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Staphyllococcus aureus. Compound 3 showed fungistatic activity against Candida albicans.
Novel Macrolide from Wild Strains of the Phytopathogen Fungus Colletotrichum Acutatum
Authors: Mancilla Gabriela , Jiménez-Teja Daniel , Femenía-Ríos Marienca , Macías-Sánchez Antonio J. , Collado Isidro G. , Hernández-Galán Rosario
Published: March 2019

Three wild strains of C. acutatum have been investigated for their phytotoxic secondary metabolites involved in anthracnose disease. In addition to known compounds, a new macrolide 6 has been isolated and characterized by spectroscopic analysis.
Fatty Acid Derived Compounds – the Dominant Volatile Class of the Essential Oil Poor Sonchus Arvensis Subsp. Uliginosus (Bieb.) Nyman
Authors: Radulović Niko , Blagojević Polina , Palić Radosav
Published: March 2019

Chemical composition of the essential oil hydrodistilled from aerial parts of Sonchus arvensis subsp. uliginosus is reported for the first time. GC and GC-MS analyses of the oil enabled the identification of 114 components that represented 97.4% of the total oil. Main identified constituents were heneicosane (28.4%), ( Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (19.0%), ( E)-2-hexen-1-ol (11.6%), 1-eicosanol (7.5%) and tricosane (5.3%). Fatty acid derived compounds (“green leaf” volatiles, alkanes, n-alkenes, n-aldehydes and n-alcohols) were by far predominant (89.4%). A much lower percentage of shikimate metabolites (5.0%), carotenoid-derived compounds (1.7%) and terpenoids (0.9%) has also been detected in the oil. Compositions of the essential oils of S. arvensis subsp. uliginosus and other 18 randomly chosen species, characterized by a wide range of essential oil yields, belonging to different plant genera, were compared using multivariate statistical analysis. The results strongly suggest that the main volatiles of essential oil poor species (yields less then 0.1%) are fatty acid- and carotenoid derived compounds, while essential oil rich taxa (essential oil yields much higher then 0.1%) are generally characterized by the specific production of mono- and sesquiterpenoids, and/or phenylpropanoids.
Chemical Composition of the Leaf Essential Oil of Casimiroa Edulis La Llave & Lex. (Rutaceae) from Monteverde, Costa Rica
Authors: Miller Sarah L. , Haber William A. , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

The leaf essential oil of Casimiroa edulis (Rutaceae), collected from Monteverde, Costa Rica, has been obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The leaf oil was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, predominately germacrene D (16-22%) and ( E)-caryophyllene (16-17%), consistent with the traditional use of this plant as a sedative, sleep inducer and hypotensive.
Monoterpene Hydrocarbons May Serve as Antipredation Defensive Compounds in Boisea Trivittata, the Boxelder Bug
Authors: Palazzo Maria C. , Setzer William N.
Published: March 2019

Boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittata, are deterred from predation by green anoles ( Anolis carolinensis). Hydrodistillation and GC-MS analysis reveals B. trivittata to contain the volatile monoterpene hydrocarbons β-pinene (83.9%), limonene (14.7%), myrcene (0.8%), and ( E)-β-ocimene (0.6%). The presence of these antifeedant volatile chemicals may serve to provide some protection of boxelder bugs from predation.
Glycowithanolides accumulation in in Vitro Shoot Cultures of Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera Dunal)
Authors: Ahuja Ashok , Kaur Devinder , Sharada Mallubhotla , Kumar Arun , Suri Krishan Avtar , Dutt Prabhu
Published: March 2019

Phytochemical investigations of multiple shoot cultures of selected accessions AGB002 and AGB025 of Withania somnifera. established in vitro utilizing shoot tip apices cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with BAP (1 mg/L) have been carried out. This has lead to isolation of four glycowithanolides viz. Withanoside IV (WSG-3), Withanoside VI (WSG-3A), Physagulin D (WSG-P) and Withastraronolide (WSC-O). The structures of these have been confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic data. Multiple shoot cultures could be an alternative renewable resource for production of these biologically active molecules.
Structures of New Phenolic Glycosides from the Seeds of Cucurbita Moschata
Authors: Fa-Sheng Li , Jing Xu , De-Qiang Dou , Xiao-Feng Chi , Ting-Guo Kang , Xue Kuang Hai
Published: March 2019

A new phenolic glycoside and three known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Cucurbita moschata. The structures of the new compound was elucidated as phenylcarbinyl 5-O-(4-hydroxy)benzoyl-β-D-apiofuranosyl (1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. Three known compounds were identified as 1-O-benzyl[5-O-benzoyl-β-D-apiofuranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside 2, cucurbitosides C 3 and A 4, by comparison of the spectral data with reported data. Compound 2 was isolated from this plant for the first time.
Myricarborin A and n-Butyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, Two Novel Compounds from the Bark of Myrica Rubra
Authors: Liu Zhiguo , Ji Shuang , Zhang Yuchuan , Meng Dali , Li Xian
Published: March 2019

From the bark of Chinese Myrica rubra (Myricaceae) two novel compounds, myricarborin A and n-butyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, have been isolated along with (+)- S- myricanol, (-)- R- myricanol 5- O-β-D-(6′-O-galloyl)-glucopyanoside and n-butyl-β-D-fructopyranoside. The structures of the novel compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods.
Induction of Neuronal Differentiation in Neurosphere Stem Cells by Ellagic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Tabopda Turibio Kuiate , Ngoupayo Joseph , Liu Jia Wei , Mitaine-Offer Anne-Claire , Ngadjui Bonaventure Tchaleu , Lacaille-Dubois Marie-Aleth , Luu Bang
Published: March 2019

A bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extracts of stem barks, combined with screening based on Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-responsive neural stem cells (erNSCs) differentiation assay, has been used. This study resulted in the isolation of 3,3′-di- O-methylellagic acid 1, 3,3′-di- O-methyl ellagic acid-4- O-β-D-xylopyranoside 2, ellagic acid 3, and arjunolic acid 4. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 exhibit potent induction of neuronal differentiation in neurosphere stem cells with no cytotoxic effect. These results indicate that compounds 1 and 2 may be useful as pharmacological agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These compounds may account, for the use of T. superba in folk medicine for nervous system and mental disorders.