Alkaloid evolution and angiosperm systematics

The correlation of biosynthetic steps leading to the primary precursors of the shikimate pathway with the distribution of derived alkaloids on dahlgren's system of classification of angiosperm orders suggests that evolution paralleled gradual blocking of these steps. Phenylalanine-derived alkaloids, with the centre of radiation situated in the magnoliales, are of widespread occurrence in angiosperms, an indication of the antiquity of the character. Anthranilic acid-derived alkaloids, with the centre of radiotion in the rutales, are less widespread. Orders in which such alkaloids co-occur with the former biogenetic group are considered to be of more recent origin. Finally, mevalonate-derived iridoid alkaloids, with the centre of radiation in the gentianales, are even less widespread. Orders in which such alkaloids co-occur with the former biogenetic groups should thus be of still more recent origin. These concepts are summarized bg a phylogenetic tree, which illustrates the divergence of three major groups of angiosperm superorders.     

Biosynthesis of glyantrypine by Aspergillus clavatus

The biosynthesis of glyantrypine from radiolabelled amino acid precursors has been shown experimentally to involve anthranilic acid, tryptophan and glycine. Low values for percentage incorporation of radiolabel into glyantrypine were partly influenced by a complex array of other novel alkaloids shown by the radiolabelling experiments to be related to glyantrypine. Interpretation of radiolabel incorporation from [14C-carboxyl]-anthranilic acid into microbial metabolites seen to contain an anthranilyl moiety in various biosynthetic arrangements is discussed. The possibility of diversion of anthranilic acid from the kynurenine pathway to glyantrypine biosynthesis is recognised.     

青藤碱对人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞增殖和细胞内Ca^2＋浓度影响的体外研究

目的探讨青藤碱（SIN）对人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞增殖和细胞内Ca^2＋浓度的体外影响及其效应机制。方法建立体外人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞模型,分别作以下处理：（1）空白对照组;（2）环孢素（CsA）组（50ng／m1）;（3）低浓度SIN组（10μmol／1）;（4）中浓度SIN组（200μmol／1）;（5）高浓度SIN组（1000μmol／1）。分别用MTT比色法和流式细胞术（FCM）检测CD4^＋细胞增殖和细胞内Ca^2＋荧光强度。采用方差分析比较各组间差异的统计学意义。结果（1）高浓度SIN组、中浓度SIN组与其他各组细胞增殖抑制率存在差异（F=1444．228,P=0．000）;（2）FCM检测细胞内Ca^2＋浓度结果：中浓度SIN组、高浓度SIN组与其他各组差异有统计学意义（F=479．055,P=0．000）;（3）经SIN处理后,人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞增殖抑制率和细胞内Ca^2＋浓度之间存在负相关r=-0．836,P=0．005）。结论SIN能浓度依赖性地抑制人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞增殖和细胞内Ca^2＋浓度升高,人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞增殖抑制率和细胞内Ca^2＋浓度之间存在显著性负相关。     

Recent advances in marine drug research

Structures and properties of promising marine anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and anti-infectious (HIV, HSV, malaria, leishmania) compounds reported during 2008–2011 are discussed. Wherever possible, attempts have also been made to highlight their possible biogenesis or structure–activity relationships (SAR). Since the stress is on identifying and short-listing potential drug molecules, this review is restricted to only those compounds exhibiting promising in vitro activity, the arbitrary cut off being IC₅₀ < 15 μM, reported during the above period.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial actions of the clubmoss <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycopodium clavatum</Emphasis> L.

Purpose of the present study was to evaluate antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities of the petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts as well as the alkaloid fraction of Lycopodium clavatum L. (LC) from Lycopodiaceae growing in Turkey. Antioxidant activity of the LC extracts was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging method at 0.2 mg/ml using microplate-reader assay. Antiviral assessment of LC extracts was evaluated towards the DNA virus Herpes simplex (HSV) and the RNA virus Parainfluenza (PI-3) using Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) and Vero cell lines. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the extracts were tested against standard and isolated strains of the following bacteria; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Acinobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis as well as the fungi; Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis. All of the extracts possessed noteworthy activity against ATCC strain of S. aureus (4 μg/ml), while the LC extracts showed reasonable antifungal effect. On the other hand, we found that only the chloroform extract was active against HSV (16–8 μg/ml), while petroleum ether and alkaloid extracts inhibited potently PI-3 (16–4 μg/ml and 32–4 μg/ml, respectively). However, all of the extracts had insignificant antiradical effect on DPPH. In addition, we also analyzed the content of the alkaloid fraction of the plant by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified lycopodine as the major alkaloid.     

C1,C2-ether derivatives of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid lycorine: Retention of activity of highly lipophilic analogues against cancer cells

As a continuation of the studies aimed at the development of new anticancer agents derived from the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid lycorine, 35 C1,C2-ether analogues of this natural product were synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activities in vitro in a panel of tumor cell lines with varied levels of apoptosis resistance. A strong correlation between the compound lipophilicity and anticancer activity was observed, indicating that cell permeability properties must be an important determinant in the design of lycorine-based anticancer agents. A theoretical docking model, consistent with the experimental observations, is presented.     

Wichtige veterinärmedizinische Aspekte der Lemurenhaltung im Tierpark Berlin

The author describes diseases in lemurs, which occurred in the last ten years at Tierpark Berlin. After a short introduction of the importance of lemur husbandry and breeding in zoological gardens a review of the following diseases is given: periarticular hyperostosis in black lemurs, acute alkaloid intoxication in black lemurs, amoebiasis in ruffed lemurs and obesity in mongoose lemurs. Clinical symptoms, diagnosis, therapy and post mortem findings are explained in detail.