Anti-neuroinflammatory constituents from Sinomenium acutum rhizomes

In our continuing search for bioactive constituents from Korean medicinal sources, an investigation of the Sinomenium acutum Rehder et Wilson rhizome afforded three new lignan derivatives (1⿿3) together with nine known compounds (4⿿12). The identification and structural elucidation of these new compounds were based on 1D and 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) and MS data. The absolute configurations were established based on the CD data. Nitric oxide production was evaluated in the BV-2 lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia cell line to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of the isolated compounds (1⿿12).     

短梗千金藤,越南防己科新记录种（英文）

报道了越南防己科(Menispermaceae)一新记录种:短梗千金藤(Stephania brevipes Craib)。据文献记载,该种仅分布于泰国,现首次在越南发现其分布。本种与粪箕笃(S.longa Lour.)形态相近,但叶宽三角状卵形至三角状扁圆形,雄花序小,腋生或生于无叶的茎上,总梗较短,花萼淡黄色,花瓣红紫色,内果皮外部沟数目较少而与后者不同。还提供了该种详细的形态学描述、图版、分布及生态学等信息。凭证标本保存在越南国立自然博物馆标本馆(VNMN)和中国科学院华南植物园标本馆(IBSC)。     

Megastigmane and 7,9′-dinorlignan glycosides from the tubers of Stephania kaweesakii

Two isomers of megastigmane glycosides, (6R, 9S)-blumenol C 9-O-gentibioside (2) and (6S, 9S)-blumenol C 9-O-gentiobioside (3), and a new 7,9′-dinorlignan glycoside, stepdonorlignoside (4) were isolated from the tubers of Stephania kaweesakii. The structure determinations were considered based on the physical data and spectroscopic evidence. The absolute configurations of two megastigmanes were determined for the first time. Additionally, ten known compounds were isolated: (6R, 9S)-blumenol C 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (+)-isolariciresinol 3a-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, salidroside, N-trans-caffeoyltyramine, (R)-isococlaurine, (R)-isococlaurine 4′-O-β-glucopyranoside, (−)-oblongine, (+)-magnocurarine, fordianoside, and (−)-cyclanoline.     

Evolution of endoapertures in early-divergent eudicots, with particular reference to pollen morphology in Sabiaceae

Endoapertures, the inner openings of compound apertures in pollen grains, are common in eudicots, but occur infrequently in early-divergent eudicot lineages, in which they are restricted to three families: Menispermaceae, Sabiaceae and Buxaceae. Pollen of Sabiaceae was examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The endoapertures are large and lalongate, and intine onci are associated with their development. Optimisation of endoapertures onto an existing angiosperm phylogeny indicates that endoapertures have evolved at least three times independently: in Menispermaceae, in Sabiaceae plus Buxaceae (or possibly separately in these two families), and in the core eudicot clade. Sabiaceae are unusual among early-divergent eudicots in that they possess some characters that are more common in core eudicots, including pollen with endoapertures and pentamerous flowers. This indicates either that they are more closely related to core eudicots than is indicated by current molecular evidence, or that these characters are homoplastic. The latter would suggest a high degree of experimentation prior to evolutionary canalisation of some key morphological features in eudicots. The evolution of endoapertures in early-divergent eudicots is probably associated with possession of endexine sculpture (endosculpture) such as endocracks; endoapertures may have been retained in eudicots as a harmomegathic mechanism.     

Palaeoskapha sichuanensis gen. et sp. nov. (Menispermaceae) from the Eocene Relu Formation in western Sichuan, West China

Palaeoskapha sichuanensis gen. et sp. nov. of Menispermaceae is described here for the first time based on a well preserved fossil fruit. The specimen was found in the Relu Formation of western Sichuan, West China. The specimen, straight, boat-shaped endocarp with large ventral condyle, clearly belongs to the tribe Tinosporeae. The wide aperture of the double condyle, combined with a whole shape not deeply invaginated, indicates a genus different from what was already known to science for this tribe. This fossil widens the distribution of the tribe during Eocene from North America and Europe to Asia, where it was formerly unknown.     

苍白秤钩风的炔酸成分

从苍白秤钩风（Ｄｉｐｌｏｃｌｉｓｉａｇｌａｕｃｅｓｅｎｓ）的茎干中分离到１个炔酸,９－炔－十八酸,其结构通过波谱和化学的方法得到鉴定。经筛选具有ＰＡＩ－１活性。同时还得到三十碳酸,十一碳酸和β－谷甾醇。     

Trigilletine and tricordatine: Two new bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Triclisia species

Trigilletine and tricordatine, two new alkaloids from Ghanian menispermaceous species, have structures Ib and Ic, respectively and are examples of phenolic isotrilobine-type (Ia) alkaloids from higher plants.