[Constituents of Lilium candidum L. and their antioxidative activity]

The paper deals with the separation and identification of a flavonoid glycoside from the petals of Lilium candidum L. and the antioxidative properties of the ethanolic extract of the flowers and selected compounds isolated from this species. The isolated flavonoid glycoside was identified as isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside by acid hydrolysis, TLC comparison with authentic samples, and UV and mass spectra. Isorhamnetin rutinoside was isolated from Lilium candidum L. for the first time. The antioxidative activity of the ethanolic extract of the flowers and some isolated compounds were determined using DPPH assays.

[Flavonoids--main constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim]

The paper deals with the isolation and identification of constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. (Rosaceae). Three flavonoid glycosides of flavonol type were isolated from the methanolic extract: kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin) and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (quercitrin). Isolates were identified by physical-chemical data, by comparison with authentic samples and literature data. The above-mentioned compounds were isolated from Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. for the first time.

A new flavonoid: tinctosid from Anthemis tinctoria L

Patuletin 7-O-beta-D-(6"-caffeoylglucoside) was isolated from the methanolic extract of the flowers of Anthemis tinctoria L. (Asteraceae). The isolated compound was identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with authentic samples after enzymatic hydrolysis. A new flavonoid glycoside, tinctosid, from Anthemis tinctoria L. was isolated from a plant source for the first time.

[Constituents of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim]

The paper deals with the isolation of constituents from light petrol and methanol extracts of the leaves of Holodiscus discolor (PURSH) MAXIM., Rosaceae. beta-sitosterol and taraxasterol were isolated from the light petrol extract, luteolin-7-O-glucoside was isolated from the methanol extract. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with authentic samples.

[Nonpolar components of the leaves of Philadelphus coronarius L]

The paper deals with the isolation of constituents from light petrol and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Philadelphus coronarius L., Saxifragaceae. From the light petrol extract uvaol and 3 beta,28-dihydroxyoleanane-11(12),13(18)-diene were isolated, while coumarins (umbelliferone, scopolin), stigmasteryl-3 beta-D-glucoside and the alcane type carbohydrate-C29H60 were isolated from the chloroform extract. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with standards and the literature data.

[Monodesmosidic saponins in Cynara cardunculus L]

From an ethanolic extract of the flower buds of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae), two monodesmosidic saponins, cynarasaponin B and a new cynarasaponin K, were isolated. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with standards and the literature data.

[Apigenin-7-methylglucuronide from Cynara cardunculus L]

From an ethanolic extract of the flower buds of Cynara cardunculus L. (Asteraceae), apigenin-7-methylglucuronide and chlorogenic acid were isolated. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means, by comparison with authentic samples and literature data.

[Sterols in Lilium candidum L]

From the butanolic extract of petals of Lilium candidum L., beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside were isolated. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic means and by comparison with literature data; beta-sitosterol glucoside was isolated in genus Lilium L. for the first time.

Interaction of chymotrypsin with carbetocin ([1-deamino-1-monocarba-2-O-methyltyrosine]-oxytocin)

The results of the present study describe the course of reaction and the products following chymotrypsin treatment of the oxytocin analogue carbetocin ([1-deamino-1-monocarba-2-O-methyltyrosine]-oxytocin). The metabolites were analyzed and identified through TLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry. The main product emerging after treatment of carbetocin with chymotrypsin is 9-desglycineamide carbetocin indicating preferential hydrolysis of the peptide bond between leucine at position 8 and carboxyterminal glycineamide. At the same time the stability of the bond between tyrosine at position 2 and isoleucine at position 3 appears significantly enhanced through the alkylation of the hydroxyl group of tyrosine.

[Royleanones in the roots of Salvia officinalis L. of domestic provenance and their antimicrobial activity]

The reported investigation of the constituents of the petroleum ether extract of the root of Salvia officinalis L. confirmed the presence of the following diterpene quinones: 12.hydroxy-8, 12-abietadiene-11, 14-dione (royleanone), 7 alpha, 12-dihydroxy-8.12-abistadiene-11-14-dione (horminone) and 7 alpha-acetoxy-12-hydroxy-8, 12-abietadiene-11,14-dione (7-O-acetylhorminone). The compounds were identified on the basic of the interpretation of results of spectral analysis. Isolated royleanones show antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). A study of abietate diterpenoids in the root of Salvia officinalis L. of Slovak provenance has been performed for the first time.

Study of the biotransformation of a potential benzo[c]fluorene antineoplastic using high-performance liquid chromatography with high-speed-scanning ultraviolet detection

As the sum of benfluron metabolites found was only a part of the total amount applied, a search for undiscovered metabolites was undertaken in the extracts from isolated rat hepatocytes and in the bile and perfusate in the experiments with an isolated perfused rat liver. To identify the metabolites, high-performance liquid chromatography with UV spectral analysis was used, as benfluron derivatives exhibit characteristic absorption spectra. Administration of known metabolites to experimental animals and selective induction of certain metabolic pathways led to the finding of new metabolites and of the respective conjugates. Fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify the newly found metabolites and conjugates.

Semisynthetic insulin analogues modified in positions B24, B25 and B29

New semisynthetic analogues of human insulin, modified in the C-terminal region of the B-chain, were prepared to refine our understanding of the importance of particular amino acid residues in the expression of hormone biological properties. The following insulin analogues were synthesized by trypsin-catalyzed peptide-bond formation between the C-terminal arginineB22 of des-octapeptide(B23-B30)-insulin and synthetic octapeptides with the epsilon-amino group of lysineB29 protected by a phenylacetyl group: [L-Lys(Pac)B29]insulin, [D-PheB24,B25,L-Lys(Pac)B29]insulin and [D-Phe(p-Et)B24, L-Lys(Pac)B29]insulin. Enzymatic deprotection using immobilized penicillin amidohydrolase yielded: human insulin, [D-PheB24,B25]insulin and [DPhe(p-Et)B24]-insulin. Biological in vitro potencies (specific binding to cultured human lymphocytes IM-9 and lipogenic potency in isolated rat adipocytes) of the semisynthetic analogues were estimated, ranging from 0.2 to 100% relative to porcine insulin.

Trapping system for trace organic volatiles

A technique is described for the collection and concentration of volatile compounds produced by plants, insects, animals and other materials. The method is a modification of the continuous-flow system based on absorption of volatiles in a low amount of solvent at low temperature. The advantages and disadvantages of the technique used are described in detail.

Classical bile acids in animals, beta-phocaecholic acid in ducks

1. Bile samples of different animals were analysed and the percentage content of classical bile acids was determined. 2. Herbivorous birds mostly excreted a large proportion of chenodeoxycholic acid. 3. The anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) excreted deoxycholic acid most probably as a primary bile acid. 4. In the bile of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) a large amount of (23R)3 alpha, 7 alpha, 23-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (beta-phocaecholic acid) was found.

Biparental defensive endowment of eggs with acquired plant alkaloid in the moth Utetheisa ornatrix

The eggs of Utetheisa ornatrix contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These compounds are contributed by both parents, who sequester them as larvae from their food plants. Females receive alkaloid from the males at mating, apparently by seminal infusion, and transmit this alkaloid together with alkaloid of their own to the eggs. Field and laboratory tests showed that the alkaloids protect eggs from predators. The alkaloidal contribution of the male, although smaller than that of the female, itself provides significant egg protection. A previously identified pheromone, derived by the male from the alkaloid and emitted during precopulatory behavior, may announce the male alkaloidal worth to the female.