Three new derivatives of anti-HIV-1 polyphenols isolated from Salvia yunnanensis

During the study of anti-HIV-1 active components of the aqueous extracts of the roots of Salvia yunnanensis, three new derivatives of polyphenols, namely: methyl salvianolate A (2), ethyl salvianolate A (3) and cis-lithospermic acid (5) were isolated along with two known polyphenols, salvianolic acid A (1) and lithospermic acid (4) their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and MS spectral analyses. The anti-HIV-1 activities of the 5 polyphenols were tested for the inhibition of P24 antigen in HIV-1 infected MT-4 cell cultures and HIV-1 replicative enzymes in vitro.

Verification of dioxin formation in a catalytic oxidizer

Emissions and inlet concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) have been measured from a catalytic oxidizer and a thermal oxidizer. The catalyst inlet temperature was 427 degrees C. The thermal oxidizer operating temperature was 791 degrees C. Data of the toxic dioxin and furan congeners are reported. Important results of this field study are: (1) the catalytic oxidizer in this study produced an increase in PCDD/PCDF congener concentration of almost 10-fold from the inlet to the outlet (stack), thus verifying results of a previous study that evaluated only PCDD/PCDF emissions. All congeners increased from inlet to the stack. (2) The thermal oxidizer had little effect on PCDD/PCDF levels. There was a decrease in four of the congeners and an increase in 13 congeners. (3) Ambient air was the main source of PCDD/PCDFs in the stack emissions of the thermal oxidizer in this study. Laboratory investigations are needed to understand how PCDD/PCDFs are formed (and emitted) under conditions of this study.

[Absorption and isolation of macroporous resin for five salvianolic acids from Salviae mitiorrhizae]

OBJECTIVE

To study the adsorption of the macroporous resin for the five salvianolic acids (danshen su, rosmarinic acid, protocate chualdehyde, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, extracted from Salviae mitiorrhizae.

METHOD

The five salvianolic acids were employed as an index, and the change of them in the static and dynamic absorbent was detected by HPLC, respectively.

RESULT

HP20 resin was a suitable marcoporous resin to purify salvianolic acids. The dynamic adsorption capacity of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid A was 30.506 mg x g(-1) (dry resin), 36.996 mg x g(-1), (dry resin), 43.85 mg x g(-1) (dry resin) respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is not suitable that danshensu and protocate chualdehyde are the evaluation indexes for using 8 macroporous resins to purify salvianolic acids.

Formation of chlorinated phenols, dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, benzenes, benzoquinnones and perchloroethylenes from phenols in oxidative and copper (II) chloride-catalyzed thermal process

Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and chlorinated phenols on CuCl(2) from unsubstituted phenol and three monochlorophenols was studied in a flow reactor over a temperature range of 100-425 degrees C. Heated nitrogen gas streams containing 8.0% oxygen were used as carrier gas. The 0.00024mol of unsubstituted phenol and 0.00039mol of each monochlorophenol were passed through a 1g and 1cm SiO(2) particle containing 0.5% (Cu by mass) CuCl(2). Chlorination preferentially occurred on ortho-(2, 6) and para-(4) positions. Chlorination increased up to 200 degrees C, and thereafter decreased as temperature increased. Chlorination of phenols plays an important role in the formation of the more chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Chlorinated benzenes are formed possibly from both chlorination of benzene and chlorodehydroxylation of phenols. Chlorinated phenols with ortho chlorine formed PCDD products, and major PCDD products were produced via loss of one chlorine. For PCDF formation, at least one unchlorinated ortho carbon was required.

Source identification of PCDD/Fs in agricultural soils near to a Chinese MSWI plant through isomer-specific data analysis

Isomer-specific data were investigated in order to identify the sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in agricultural soils, including Fluvo-aquic and paddy soils, in the vicinity of a Chinese municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plant. Homologue and isomer profiles of PCDD/Fs in soils were compared with those of potential sources, including combustion sources, i.e., MSWI flue gas and fly ash; and the impurities in agrochemicals, such as the pentachlorophenol (PCP), sodium pentachlorophenate (PCP-Na) and 1,3,5-trichloro-2-(4-nitrophenoxy) benzene (CNP). The results showed that the PCDD/F isomer profiles of combustion sources and agricultural soils were very similar, especially for PCDFs, although their homologue profiles varied, indicating that all the isomers within each homologue behave identically in the air and soil. Moreover, factor analysis of the isomer compositions among 33 soil samples revealed that the contamination of PCDD/Fs in agricultural soils near the MSWI plant were primarily influenced by the combustion sources, followed by the PCP/PCP-Na and CNP sources. This implication is consistent with our previous findings based on chemometric analysis of homologue profiles of soil and flue gas samples, and identifies PCP/PCP-Na as an additional important source of PCDD/Fs in the local area. This makes the similarities and differences of isomer profiles between Fluvo-aquic and paddy soils more explainable. It is, therefore, advisable to use isomer-specific data for PCDD/F source identifications where possible.

Antifungal metabolites from the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis foedan

Pestafolide A ( 1), a new reduced spiro azaphilone derivative, and pestaphthalides A ( 2) and B ( 3), two new isobenzofuranones, have been isolated form solid cultures of an isolate of Pestalotiopsis foedan. The structures of these compounds were determined mainly by analysis of their NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configuration of 1- 3 was assigned by analysis of (1)H NMR J-values and NOESY data, and the absolute configuration was determined by application of the CD excitation chirality and modified Mosher method. Compounds 1- 3 showed modest antifungal activity.

Usimines A-C, bioactive usnic acid derivatives from the Antarctic lichen Stereocaulon alpinum

Usimines A-C ( 1- 3), three new usnic acid derivatives, have been isolated from a MeOH extract of the Antarctic lichen Stereocaulon alpinum by various chromatographic methods. The structures of 1- 3 were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data (NMR, UV, MS) and by chemical methods. The known compound usnic acid ( 4) was also obtained. Compounds 1- 4 showed moderate inhibitory activity against therapeutically targeted protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).

Microbial degradation of chlorinated dioxins

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) were introduced into the biosphere on a large scale as by-products from the manufacture of chlorinated phenols and the incineration of wastes. Due to their high toxicity they have been the subject of great public and scientific scrutiny. The evidence in the literature suggests that PCDD/F compounds are subject to biodegradation in the environment as part of the natural chlorine cycle. Lower chlorinated dioxins can be degraded by aerobic bacteria from the genera of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia. Most studies have evaluated the cometabolism of monochlorinated dioxins with unsubstituted dioxin as the primary substrate. The degradation is usually initiated by unique angular dioxygenases that attack the ring adjacent to the ether oxygen. Chlorinated dioxins can also be attacked cometabolically under aerobic conditions by white-rot fungi that utilize extracellular lignin degrading peroxidases. Recently, bacteria that can grow on monochlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins as a sole source of carbon and energy have also been characterized (Pseudomonas veronii). Higher chlorinated dioxins are known to be reductively dechlorinated in anaerobic sediments. Similar to PCB and chlorinated benzenes, halorespiring bacteria from the genus Dehalococcoides are implicated in the dechlorination reactions. Anaerobic sediments have been shown to convert tetrachloro- to octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins to lower chlorinated dioxins including monochlorinated congeners. Taken as a whole, these findings indicate that biodegradation is likely to contribute to the natural attenuation processes affecting PCDD/F compounds.

Levistolide A overcomes P-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance in human breast carcinoma cells

AIM

The aim of the present study was to investigate the reversing effect of levistolide A (LA) on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) in human breast carcinoma Bcap37/MDR1 cells.

METHODS

After chemotherapeutic drugs (adriamycin or vincristine) used alone or in combination with LA, cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect MDR1 gene transcription and the Western blot assay was used to assess P-gp expression and the cleavages of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase-3. Apoptosis was detected by terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Moreover, the P-gp function was evaluated by the intracellular accumulation of the P-gp substrate detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found the subcytotoxic doses of LA significantly enhanced adriamycin- or vincristine- induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis. These effects were consistent with the ability of LA to inhibit P-gp function. Moreover, LA dramatically enhanced the verapamil (VER) ability to reverse drug resistance.

CONCLUSION

LA has the potential to be developed as a novel P-gp modulator. Furthermore, the combination of LA and VER might represent a more sufficient but less toxic anti-MDR regimen.

Reduction of dioxin-like compound emissions from a Waelz plant with adsorbent injection and a dual baghouse filter system

Previous study indicates that the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and -dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) concentration measured in the stack gas of the Waelz plant investigated reached 194 ng-TEQ/(N m3) (TEQ = toxic equivalence), due to the relatively high potential of PCDD/F formation and a low PCDD/F removal efficiency (<70%) achieved with the baghouse filter (BF). In September 2006, the Taiwan government setthe PCDD/F emission limit for existing Waelz plants as 1.0 ng-I-TEQO/(N m3). The retrofit technology for reducing PCDD/F emissions from the existing Waelz plant was evaluated at the same time. Carbon-type adsorbent injection technology was adopted in early 2006 to reduce the emission of dioxin-like compounds at the Waelz plant investigated. Flue gases and ambient air samplings were conducted during the two stages of retrofit to evaluate the removal efficiency of dioxin-like compounds at the Waelz plant investigated. At stage 1, by applying adsorbent injection + single baghouse filter (SBF), the PCDD/F and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations measured in the stack gas at the Waelz plant were 4.62 ng-TEQ/(N m3) and 0.08 ng-TEQ(WHO)/(N m3) (TEQ(WHO) = World Health Organization TEQ), respectively, as the adsorbent injection rate was controlled at 40 kg/h (or 540 mg/ (N m3)). At stage 2, the PCDD/F and PCB concentration measured at stack gas, achieved with adsorbent injection + dual baghouse filter (DBF) system, were further reduced to 0.235 + 0.04 ng-I-TEQ/(N m3) (I-TEQ = International TEQ) and 0.004 + 0.002 ng-TEQ(WHO)/(N m3) with the adsorbent injection rate at 16 kg/h (or 215 mg/(N m3)). In the meantime, the atmospheric PCDD/F concentrations measured in the vicinity area of the Waelz plant were greatly reduced from 568-1465 to 48.9-130 fg-I-TEQ/m3. Higher removal efficiency (>99.8%) achieved at a lower adsorbent injection rate (16 kg/h) of the adsorbent injection + DBF system also significantly reduced the total PCDD/-F and PCB emission flows (per kg of electric arc furnace dust treated) to 1925 ng-I-TEQ and 30.5 ng-TEQ(WHO), respectively.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes and other dioxin-like compounds in Elbe River sediments

Contamination of Elbe River (Germany) sediments with dioxin-like toxicants was investigated following the 500-year flood (flood that statistically occurs once in 500 years) of 2002. It was hypothesized that large amounts of particulate matter from river beds and associated dioxin-like toxicants were mobilized and transported during this flood event. The investigation focused on polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) that have not been determined previously in the Elbe River. The in vitro H4IIE-luc assay was used as an overall measure for toxicants capable of binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The assay was combined with congener-specific instrumental analyses and fractionation to quantify PCN contributions to total AhR-mediated activity relative to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Penta- to octachloronaphthalene concentrations of 30 ng/kg dry weight up to 13 microg/kg dry weight were found in Elbe River sediments downstream of Bitterfeld. Concentrations of penta- to octachloronaphthalenes, however, were only approximately 3 microg/kg dry weight at a site in the vicinity of Bitterfeld, where a level of approximately 3 mg/kg dry weight was reported before the flood. Also, the congener pattern of PCNs at this site changed after the flood, and PCN patterns reported previously for Bitterfeld and assigned to chlor-alkali electrolysis with graphite electrodes could now be observed at the sites from downstream of Bitterfeld and Magdeburg. Whereas PCDD/Fs dominated the dioxin-like activity in the middle and lower Elbe River, PCNs contributed as much as 10% of the total AhR-mediated activity. The contribution of PCBs was less significant (maximum, 0.2%). Thus, in Elbe River sediments, PCNs should be considered as relevant contaminants and be included in future monitoring and risk assessment programs.

Photodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans: direct photolysis and photocatalysis processes

This study employed direct photolysis to treat mixed polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) solutions. The solutions included a synthetic standard 17 2, 3, 7, 8-substituted congeners solution and a practical liquid extracted from the bag filter ash of an electric arc furnace. Additionally, this work utilized a coupled catalyst (ZnO/SnO2) under UV irradiation for photocatalytic degradation of 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-HxCDD and OCDD. The direct photolysis rate of PCDFs was faster than that of PCDDs. The degradation rate of international toxicity equivalency quantity (I-TEQ) for PCDDs and PCDFs in the synthetic standard solution was 1.369 and 1.472 h(-1), respectively, and that in the ash-extracted solution was 0.061 and 0.117 h(-1), respectively. The rate of photocatalytic degradation declined as the number of chlorine atoms increased. No 2, 3, 7, 8-substituted congeners were identified during photocatalytic degradation; additionally, the photolytic rate of the UV/coupled catalyst was higher than that of UV/single catalyst system. Experimental results suggested that the primary degradation pathway for direct photolysis and photocatalysis of PCDD/Fs was the CCl cleavage and CO cleavage, respectively.

Catalytic oxidation of gaseous PCDD/Fs with ozone over iron oxide catalysts

Catalytic oxidation of PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans) with ozone (catalytic ozonation) over nano-sized iron oxides (denoted as FexOy) was carried out at temperature of 120-180 degrees C. The effects of operating temperature, ozone concentration, space velocity (SV) and water vapor contents on PCDD/F removal and destruction efficiencies via catalytic ozonation were investigated. High activity of the iron oxide catalyst towards PCDD/F decomposition was observed even at low temperatures with the aid of ozone. The PCDD/F removal and destruction efficiencies achieved with FexOy/O3 at 180 degrees C reach 94% and 91%, respectively. In the absence of ozone, the destruction efficiencies of all PCDD/F congeners are below 20% and decrease with increasing chlorination level of PCDD/F congener at lower temperature (120 degrees C). However, in the presence of ozone, the destruction efficiencies of all PCDD/F congeners are over 80% on FexOy/O3 at 180 degrees C. Higher temperature and ozone addition increase the activity of iron oxide for the decomposition of PCDD/Fs. Additionally, in the presence of 5% water vapor, the destruction efficiency of the PCDD/Fs is above 90% even at lower operating temperature (150 degrees C). It indicates that the presence of appropriate amount of water vapor enhances the catalytic activity for the decomposition of gas-phase PCDD/Fs.

Dechlorination and destruction of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators by low temperature thermal treatment

Dechlorination and destruction characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in fly ashes from commercial-scale municipal solid waste incinerators by low temperature thermal treatment using a laboratory-scale heating system were investigated. Experiments were carried out in reducing atmosphere at temperatures of 300 degrees C, 450 degrees C and 600 degrees C respectively, for the treatment time of 1h and 3h. Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in raw fly ashes ranged from 35.5 to 107.3 microg kg(-1) (1.5-3.4 microg TEQ kg(-1)) and treated fly ashes ranged from 0.34 to 45.3 microg kg(-1) (0.012-1.63 microg TEQ kg(-1)). Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes treated at the different temperatures and times were observed to decrease with increase of treatment temperature and time by dechlorination or destruction. The distribution of octa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were decreased and tetra-, penta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners were increased at 300 degrees C and 450 degrees C, but the distribution of octa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were increased and tetra-, penta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners were again decreased at 600 degrees C. Total destruction efficiencies of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes showed above 95% at the treatment temperature of 450 degrees C for 3h. However, removal efficiency of each congener in fly ashes varied, especially, 2,3,7,8-TeCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD in fly ash A increased. And the dechlorination and destruction characteristics of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ash A and B was different due to difference in contents of Ca-compounds and metal oxides such as CuO and PbO in fly ashes.

[A new phenylpropanoic acid derivatives from the roots of Ficus stenophylla]

Chemical constituents of the roots of Ficus stenophylla were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated based on physicochemical and spectral data. Five compounds were identified as methyl 3-(6-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzofuran-5-yl) propanoate (1), kaemferol (2), kampferol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (3), quercetin (4) and tricin (5), separately. Compound 1 is a new phenylpropionic acid derivatives. All compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Lipoxygenase inhibitors: a comparative QSAR study review and evaluation of new QSARs

This paper contains a quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) study for lipoxygenase (LO) inhibitors. It reveals that in almost all cases, the clog P parameter plays an important part in the QSARs (linear or bilinear model). In some cases the steric factors such as the overall molar refractivity (CMR) or the substituents molar refractivity (MR) (linear or parabola) are important. Electronic effects are comparatively unimportant. The study shows that log P as calculated from the Clog P program is suitable for this form of QSAR study.

Distribution of mono to octa-chlorinated PCDD/Fs in fly ash from a municipal solid-waste incinerator

We have estimated the concentration and distribution of the mono to octa-chlorinated congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) in fly ashes at various sampling points in a large-scale municipal solid waste incinerator at Umeå, Sweden, as they cooled from 700 to 170 degrees C. Differences between the ashes were observed, the PCDD homologue profile was found to vary with temperature. The total amount of PCDD and PCDF increased as the temperature decreased in the postcombustion zone. The increase was due to both adsorption to the fly ash and formation of PCDD and PCDF. Mono-to trichlorinated PCDD predominated at high temperatures, whereas hepta- and octachlorinated PCDD predominated at temperatures below 400 degrees C. PCDF predominated over PCDD in the whole temperature range. However,the changes in homologue profile for PCDFwere minor. The isomer distribution within the homologue groups was not changed asthetemperature decreased in the postcombustion zone.

Suppressing effect of goethite on PCDD/F and HCB emissions from plastic materials incineration

Polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are the leading plastics in total production in the world. The incineration of plastic-based materials forms many chlorinated compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). In this study the addition of goethite (alpha-FeOOH) was investigated to determine its suppressing effect on the emission of PCDD/Fs and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) during the combustion of wastes containing PE and PVC. Goethite was being considered since it acts as a dioxin-suppressing catalyst during incineration. Results showed that incorporation of goethite greatly reduced the generation of PCDD/Fs and HCB in the exhaust gas and fly ash. The concentration of PCDD/Fs in flue gas decreased by 45% for lab-scale and 52% for small incinerator combustion experiments, where the goethite ratios in feed samples were 0.54% and 0.34%, respectively. Under the same conditions, the concentration of HCB in flue gas decreased by 88% and 62%, respectively. The present study showed a possible mechanism of the suppressing effect of the goethite for PCDD/F formation. It is likely that iron chlorides react with particulate carbon to form organo-chlorine compounds and promote PCDD/F formation in the gas phase. XRD analysis of combustion ash revealed that the goethite was partially dehydrated and converted to alpha-Fe(2)O(3) and Fe(3)O(4) but no iron chlorides formation. Therefore the goethite impregnated plastics can contribute the reduction of PCDD/Fs and HCB in the exhaust gas during incineration of MSW.

[New neolignan from seed of Myristica fragrans]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents in the nutmeg (seed of Myristica fragrans).

METHOD

The chemical constituents were isolated by various column chromatographic methods and structurally elucidated by IR, NMR and MS evidences.

RESULT

Fifteen compounds were obtained and identified as myristicin (1), methyleugenol (2), safrole (3), 2, 3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2(3, 4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-(E) -propenyl-benzofuran (4), dehydrodiisoeugenol (5), 2, 3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2-(3-methoxy-4, 5-methylenedioxyphenyl) -3-methyl-5-(E)-propenyl-benzofuran (6), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimetho- xyphenyl) propane (7), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl) propane (8), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol acetate (9), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (10), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (11), 5-methoxy-dehydrodiisoeugenol (12), erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propan-1-ol (13), guaiacin (14) and threo-2-(4-allyl-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(3-methoxy-5-hydroxy-phenyl) propan-1-ol (15).

CONCLUSION

Compound 15 is a new compound and named myrisisolignan. Compound 7 is isolated from the genus Myristica for the first time.

Amide-esters from Aglaia tenuicaulis--first representatives of a class of compounds structurally related to bisamides and flavaglines

Six amide-esters and two sulphur-containing bisamides were isolated from the leaves, stem and root bark of Aglaia tenuicaulis together with two bisamides from the leaves of A. spectabilis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The co-occurrence of amide-esters and bisamides suggests close biosynthetic connections replacing only one nitrogen atom of putrescine with oxygen. Putrescine appears to be the common building block linked to various acids from which the cinnamoyl moiety represents the prerequisite for an incorporation of bisamides into flavaglines. Corresponding amide-esters are apparently not incorporated, but closely related amide-alcohol derivatives were found as part of benzopyran and benzofuran flavaglines. The structure of a amide-alcohol is described, representing an artifact due to hydrolysis of an amide-ester during TLC purification. A hypothetical amide-amine building block is suggested to form the characteristic pyrimidinone structures only found in benzofuran flavaglines. Structural and biosynthetic connections between amide-esters, bisamides and flavaglines are discussed and the chemotaxonomic significance of accumulating specific derivatives within the genus Aglaia is highlighted.

Six naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids and a related benzopyranone from a Congolese Ancistrocladus species related to Ancistrocladus congolensis

From the roots of a recently discovered Ancistrocladus taxon, with close affinities to Ancistrocladus congolensis regarding molecular ITS sequence data, six naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids, 5'-O-demethylhamatine (2), 5'-O-demethylhamatinine (3), 6-O-demethylancistroealaine A (4), 6,5'-O,O-didemethylancistroealaine A (5), 5-epi-6-O-methylancistrobertsonine A (6), and 5-epi-4'-O-demethylancistrobertsonine C (7), have been isolated, along with a likewise benzopyranone carboxylic acid, 8. The structural elucidation succeeded by chemical, spectroscopic, and chiroptical methods. Their bioactivities were tested against protozoan parasites causing severe tropical diseases. Furthermore, eight known related alkaloids were identified.

Purification, identification and activity of phomodione, a furandione from an endophytic Phoma species

Phomodione, [(4aS(*),9bR(*))-2,6-diacetyl-7-hydroxy-4a,9-dimethoxy-8,9b-dimethyl-4a.9b-dihydrodibenzo[b,d]furan-1,3(2H,4H)-dione], an usnic acid derivative, was isolated from culture broth of a Phoma species, discovered as an endophyte on a Guinea plant (Saurauia scaberrinae). It was identified using NMR, X-ray crystallography, high resolution mass spectrometry, as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In addition to phomodione, usnic acid and cercosporamide, known compounds with antibiotic activity, were also found in the culture medium. Phomodione exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.6 microg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus using the disk diffusion assay, and was active against a representative oomycete, ascomycete and basidiomycete at between three and eight micro-grams per mL.

[GC-MS analysis of essential oil from rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong cultivated in GAP base for Chinese medicinal materials of China]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the constituents of the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong. cultivated in "GAP base for Chinese medicinal materials of China" (GAP demonstrative base of L. chuanxiong in Dujiangyan City of China), and to provide scientific foundation for the quality control and standard establishment of ones.

METHOD

The essential oil was extracted by water-steam distillation and separated by GC capillary column chromatography. The components were determined with normalization method, and identified by GC-MS and co-artificial searches.

RESULT

One hundred forty-two chromatographic peaks were isolated, among them sixty-two components were identified, which was composed of 87.36% of the total essential oil. The mass fragmentation rules of phthalides and its derivatives in the essential oil were summarized, which primarily underwent two electron impact fragmentation pathways: side-chain cleavage with losses of alkenes/alkanes and ring-opening with elimination of H2O followed by losses of CO. On the basis of these rules, the plane structure of 4, 5-dihydro-3, 1 '-dihydroxy-3-pentylphthalide as a new compound was determined.

CONCLUSION

The main components of the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes of L. chuanxiong cultivated in "GAP Demonstrative Base of L. chuanxiong in Dujiangyan City of China" were phthalides and its derivatives. 4,5-Dihydro-3,1'-dihydroxy-3-pentylphthalide was a new compound.

Congener-specific characterization and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs) were determined in 122 coastal sediments from heavily industrialized areas in Korea. Toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of PCDD and PCDF (PCDD/F) and DLPCB ranged from 0.44 to 38.5 pg/g dry weight and from 0.01 to 38.4 pg/ g dry weight, respectively. Overall PCDD/F and DLPCB concentrations were elevated in estuarine and inner bay locations close to industrial complexes, indicating that these contaminants derived from local discharges. Concentrations of PCDD/F measured in the present study were comparable to those in industrialized areas of other countries. Nonparametric multidimensional scaling ordination and congener-specific characterization showed that combustion processes occurring in industrial complexes, including the steel industry, are the major source of PCDD/Fs in Korean coastal waters. There were no significant correlations among PCDD/ Fs, DLPCBs, and total organic carbon; however, there was moderate correlation between PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in some coastal bays, suggesting that these chemicals have similar sources and movements in these locations.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel derivatives of benzofuran: Part 2. The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some novel 1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanone derivatives

The reaction of salicylaldehyde with 1-chloro-3-mesitylacetone (2) and potassium carbonate was used to prepare 1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanone (4) for the starting reagent purposes. 1-(1-Benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanoneoxime (5) was synthesized by the reaction of the compound (4) with hydroxylamine. New derivative of 1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanoneoxime (5) as 1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanonesemicarbazone (7) was obtained in very high yields. Alkyl substituted N-oxime ethers (8a-d) were obtained by the reaction compound 5 and various halogen contained compounds. The compounds 9a-d were synthesized by the reaction of the compound (5) and four different acyl chlorides. Some of the synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Among the synthesized compounds (E)-1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-2-mesitylethanone-O-benzoyloxime (9b) was found the most active derivative against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and E. coli ATCC 25922. The other compounds exhibited moderate activity against the other test microorganisms.