Flavan-3-ols from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei

One monomer flavan-3-ol, 4α-carboxymethyl-(+)-catechin methyl ester, two monomer flavan-3-ol glycosides, (+)-afzelechin-3-O-β-allopyranoside, (+)-afzelechin-6-C-β-glucopyranoside, two dimer flavan-3-ols, (-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4β-carboxymethyl-(-)-epicatechin methyl ester, and -(-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4α-carboxymethyl-(-)epiafzelechin ethyl ester, and one trimer flavan-3-ol, (-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-(-)-epiafzelechin-(4β→8)-4β-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin methyl ester, together with thirteen known flavan-3-ols were isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J.Sm (Polypodiaceae). The structures were established by analysis of their HRESIMS, 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic, and CD data. In order to obtain improved resolution, the high-resolution NMR spectra of the dimers and trimer were measured at -40 °C.     

Spectral sensitivities including the ultraviolet of the passeriform bird Leiothrix lutea

Spectral sensitivity functions of a passeriform bird, the Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea (Timalidae) were determined in a behavioural test under different background illuminations.

Red-billed Leiothrix sexing is a matter of colour

Capsule The Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea) is a superficially sexually monochromatic colourful bird native to the Indian subcontinent, which has colonized many locations across the world as an introduced species. We investigated the best method to accurately sex the species, capturing and measuring the colour and external morphometry of a sample of 57 individuals, which were later sexed molecularly from blood samples. We found that sexes showed no dimorphism in biometry or size of wing coloured-patches. However, a Discriminant Function based on hue of the throat, chroma of the crown and lightness of the breast allowed us to determine sex with an accuracy of 91%.     

红嘴相思鸟鸣声的初步探讨

2005年4～10月,在四川省屏山县老君山自然保护区通过计算机声谱分析技术对红嘴相思鸟的鸣声进行了初步研究。结果表明：红嘴相思鸟具有报警、联络、警戒和惊叫4种鸣声;其中最常见的鸣声为联络鸣声,报警、警戒和惊叫3种鸣声是一个先后连续的鸣叫过程。通过红嘴相思鸟鸣声特点探讨了与其相应行为的关系。     

Reproductive modes in Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) in south-eastern Brazil: the role of microenvironmental heterogeneity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The genus Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) is restricted to South America and contains 37 taxa. The genus is most species-rich in the mountains of Minas Gerais, where 25 species occur, 19 of them in the Serra do Cipó. Leiothrix taxa that inhabit different microhabitats exhibit a number of reproductive modes. Rhizomatous taxa produce seeds plentifully; therefore, this group were defined as rhizomatous seed-producing. The pseudoviviparous reproductive mode was divided into canopy-forming and rooted. In the first, ramets remain attached to a parental rosette suspended by scapes, whereas in the second, ramets take root and may or may not remain attached to a parental rosette. In this study, it is proposed that microenvironmental heterogeneity is an important factor generating and maintaining reproductive modes in Leiothrix. METHODS: Soil analyses and vegetation cover estimates were performed for five Leiothrix taxa occurring in 19 areas along the Serra do Cipó. In these 19 points of the Serra do Cipó, soil data were collected from 27 populations of each species, and vegetation cover data were collected from 20 populations, due to fire that occurred in the region and destroyed most of the vegetation. For each population, three replicates were made. A discriminant function analysis was performed, in an attempt to test the effect of microhabitat features in the differentiation of the reproductive modes. KEY RESULTS: Discriminant function analyses separated the three groups of reproductive modes based mainly on percentage vegetation cover. The pseudoviviparous canopy-forming group occurs under densely crowded conditions, while the pseudoviviparous rooted and rhizomatous seed-producing groups occur in areas with sparse vegetation cover. However, the group pseudoviviparous rooted occurs in soils constituted of exposed sand, while the rhizomatous seed-producing group occurs, frequently, on mat-forming mosses. CONCLUSIONS: Microenvironmental heterogeneity, specifically heterogeneity in percentage cover of vegetation, appears to have influenced the generation and maintenance of reproductive modes in Leiothrix. Reproductive variation within Leiothrix taxa occupying different microenvironments results from a response to fine-scale habitat variation. Therefore, it is proposed that ecological speciation is an important process in adaptive radiation in this genus.     

Alkaloids from Ruta montana

Two known and four new quinoline and 4-quinolone type alkaloids were isolated from Ruta montana collected from Rommani (Morocco). The known compounds were 1-methyl-4-methoxy-2-quinolone and evolitrine. The structures of the new compounds were established from 1D and 2D NMR experiments including HMQC, HMBC and MS spectral methods as 2-(nonan-8-one)-(1H)-4-quinolone, 2-(nonan-8-one)-4-methoxy-quinoline, 2-(nonan-8-one)-N-methyl-4-quinolone and 2-(decan-9-one)-N-methyl-4-quinolone.     

小叶臭黄皮的黄酮苷甙成分

从云南西双版纳的小叶臭黄皮（Clausena excavata Burm.f.）中分离到一个新黄酮甙,5,7,5′－三羟基－3′,4′－二甲氧基黄酮3－0－α－L－吡喃鼠李糖甙（1）和4个已知黄酮甙,分别为5,7,3′,5′－四羟基－4′－甲氧基黄酮3－O－α－L－吡喃鼠李糖甙（2）,5,7,3′－三羟基－4′－甲氧基黄酮3－O－α－L－吡喃鼠李糖甙（3）,5,7,4′－三羟基－3′,5′－二甲氧基黄酮3－O－α－L－吡喃鼠李糖甙（4）,5,7,4′－三羟基黄桐3－O－α－L－吡喃鼠李糖甙（5）。根据HMQC、HMBC实验修正了化合物2－5C6和C8的位碳化学位移的归属。     

Constituents of Lepidium meyenii 'maca'.

The tubers of Lepidium meyenii contain the benzylated derivative of 1,2-dihydro-N-hydroxypyridine, named macaridine, together with the benzylated alkamides (macamides), N-benzyl-5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienamide and N-benzylhexadecanamide, as well as the acyclic keto acid, 5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienoic acid. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, including 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMQC, 1H-13C HMBC and 1H-1H NOESY experiments, as well as from 1H-15N NMR HMBC correlations for macaridine and N-benzylhexadecanamide.     

岷江金丝桃中一个新的间苯三酚类化合物

从岷江金丝桃(Hypericum henryi subsp.uraloides)中分离得到了一个新的问苯三酚类化合物(1),命名为umloidin A.其结构主要通过Ms,1D以及2D NMR等波谱方法鉴定.同时,还得到7个已知化合物.     

红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑动眼神经核团的组织结构

本研究旨在探讨红嘴相思鸟（Leiothrix lutea）雏鸟间脑动眼神经核团的发育动态变化。采用甲苯胺蓝法染色,光镜下观察1、5和9日龄红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑动眼神经核的组织学结构。结果显示,红嘴相思鸟雏鸟间脑从浅层至深层依次排列有背外侧部、背内侧部、腹侧部3个亚核以及动眼神经副核。各核团亚区均主要由小型和大型细胞构成,但是不同亚区大型和小型细胞数量、比例以及分布存在差异。随日龄增长,神经细胞内尼氏体逐渐增多。从1日龄到9日龄,各核团之间相对位置不变,但间距增大,且各核团横切面面积显著增大（P < 0.05或P < 0.01）。结果表明,随着红嘴相思鸟雏鸟日龄增长,间脑动眼神经核结构逐渐发育成熟,与其眼部肌肉运动的调控能力渐趋完善相适应。     

Dammarane-type glycosides from Gynostemma pubescens

Triterpene saponins 1-8 were isolated from the aerial parts of Gynostemma pubescens. Among them, compounds 1-4, 8 possess carboxylic groups at both C-21 and C-29, 5 contains a carboxylic group at C-21 and an aldehyde function at C-29, whereas 6 and 7 contain carboxylic groups at C-21 and hydroxymethylene groups at C-29. Their structural elucidation was accomplished by extensive spectroscopic methods including application of 1D (1H, (13)C, (13)C DEPT) and 2D NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, HSQC), HRESIMS analysis, as well as by chemical degradation.     

A New Cytotoxic Oxyneolignan from the Roots andStems of Clausena lansium (Rutaceae)*

A new oxyneolignan, claulignan (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8), were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots and stems of Clausena lansium. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 2-8 were isolated from the genus Clausena for the first time. Compounds 1 and 6 showed cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer HeLa cell line with the IC50values of 2503 and 5399μM, respectively. Compound 3 exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay with the EC50 value of 26896g·kg-1.     

Alkaloids from Zephyranthes robusta Baker and Their Acetylcholinesterase‐ and Butyrylcholinesterase‐Inhibitory Activity

The bulbs of Zephyranthes robusta (Amaryllidaceae) have been extensively analyzed for their chemical constituents, resulting in the isolation of 13 alkaloids. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by mass‐spectrometric, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic experiments. The complete NMR assignments were achieved for hippeastidine. All isolated alkaloids were evaluated for their erythrocytic acetylcholinesterase and serum butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities using the Ellman's method. Significant acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity was exhibited by 8‐O‐demethylmaritidine (IC₅₀(HuAChE) 28.0±0.9 μM ).     

何首乌的酚类成分研究

运用多种色谱学方法对德庆产何首乌(Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.)块茎的化学成分进行了分离,根据波谱数据鉴定了8个化合物,分别为physcion-8-β(6'-O-acetyl)ghcoside(1),大黄素-3-甲醚-8-β-D-葡萄糖苷(2),大黄素(3),表儿茶素(4),决明酮-8-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(5),2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6),对羟基苯甲醛(7)和5-羧甲基-7-羟基-2-甲基色原酮(8).化合物1,7和8均为首次从何首乌中分离得到.     

Isolation and structure elucidation of cytotoxic polyacetylenes and polyenes from Echinacea pallida

Bioassay-guided fractionation of n-hexane extracts of Echinacea pallida (Asteraceae) roots led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two polyacetylenes (1, 3) and three polyenes (2, 4, 5). Two are known hydroxylated compounds, namely 8-hydroxy-pentadeca-(9E)-ene-11,13-diyn-2-one (1) and 8-hydroxy-pentadeca-(9E,13Z)-dien-11-yn-2-one (2). Two dicarbonylic constituents, namely pentadeca-(9E)-ene-11,13-diyne-2,8-dione (3) and pentadeca-(9E,13Z)-dien-11-yne-2,8-dione (4), were isolated and characterized for the first time. Furthermore, the structure elucidation of pentadeca-(8Z,13Z)-dien-11-yn-2-one (5) is described. The structure of the compounds isolated was determined on the basis of UV, IR, NMR (including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, such as 1H-1H gCOSY, gHSQC-DEPT, gHMBC, gNOESY) and MS spectroscopic data. The cytotoxic activity of the isolated constituents against MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated in the concentration range 1-100 microg/ml. Results show that the hydroxylated compounds (1, 2) have low cytotoxicity, while the more hydrophobic polyacetylenes (3) and polyenes (4, 5) displayed moderate activity.     

Secondary metabolites of Peucedanum tauricum fruits

From the essential oil of fruits of Peucedanum tauricum Bieb., two guaiane type sesquiterpene hydrocarbons guaia-1(10),11-diene (1) and guaia-9,11-diene (2) were identified. The structures of 1 and 2 were assigned by 1D and 2D NMR analysis. The relative configurations of the compounds were established by 2D-NOESY experiments while the absolute configurations were deduced through chemical correlations with (+)-gamma-gurjunene (9) and capillary GC analysis using modified cyclodextrins as the stationary phases. From the dichloromethane extract of the less volatile fraction of the fruits, coumarins, viz. peucedanin (3), oxypeucedanin hydrate (4) and officinalin isobutyrate (5) were isolated. Compound 5 was confirmed to be 6-carbomethoxy-7-isobutyroxycoumarin by its 1D and 2D NMR data as well as by conversion into officinalin (7) by alkaline hydrolysis. Peuruthenicin, a positional isomer of officinalin, is assigned structure 8 on spectral basis. Bergapten (6) was identified by its mass spectrum. This is the first report on the isolation of compounds 4 and 5 from P. tauricum.     

Investigation of Uña De Gato I. 7-Deoxyloganic acid and 15N NMR spectroscopic studies on pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa

The C-8-(S) isomer of deoxyloganic acid (7-deoxyloganic acid), together with beta-sitosteryl glucoside, five known stereoisomeric pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids and the tetracyclic oxindole isorhyncophylline, were isolated from the inner bark of Uncaria tomentosa. Structures of the isolated compounds were based on 1H and 13C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR experiments, including 1H-13C HMBC and 1H-1H NOESY correlation. Furthermore, the hitherto unreported 15N chemical shifts of the isomeric oxindole alkaloids, using 1H-15N HMBC experiments, were utilized to facilitate their characterization. Uncarine D showed weak cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL, KB, BT-549 and SK-OV-3 cell lines with IC(50) values between 30 and 40 microg/ml, while uncarine C exhibited weak cytotoxicity only against ovarian carcinoma (IC(50) at 37 microg/ml).     

松橄榄中的麦角甾醇类过氧化物

从松橄榄子实体中首次分离到４个麦角甾醇类化合物,其中３个是过氧化物,这些化合物的碳谱和氢谱信号通过二维谱技术及与文献报道的有关数据比较得到了指定,另外还提出了它们的一个可能的生源途径。     

Pyranocoumarins from the twigs of Mammea siamensis

Four unusual pyranocoumarins (1-4) have been isolated from the dried twigs of M. siamensis. The structures were determined by spectroscopic data, especially 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

Iridoid glucosides from Kickxia abhaica D.A. Sutton from Scrophulariaceae

Two iridoid glucosides namely; 6-acetylantirrinoside (1), 6'-O-p-hydroxybenzoylantirrinoside (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Kickxia abhaica. Beside that, three known iridoid glucosides, antirrinoside (3), antirride (4) and mussaenosidic acid (5), one flavone glycoside (6) and a hexitol, d-mannitol (7) were isolated. The structures of the iridoid glucosides 1-2 were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectral data, including COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments, as well as HRMS.