Chemical Composition,Antibacterial, Schistosomicidal,and Cytotoxic Activities of the Essential Oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae)

We have investigated the chemical composition and the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae) (DA‐EO) against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria. We have also assessed the in vitro schistosomicidal effects of DA‐EO on Schistosoma mansoni and its cytotoxicity to GM07492‐A cells in vitro. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed that the monoterpenes cis‐piperitone oxide (35.2%), p‐cymene (14.5%), isoascaridole (14.1%), and α‐terpinene (11.6%) were identified by as the major constituents of DA‐EO. DA‐EO displayed weak activity against Streptococcus sobrinus and Enterococcus faecalis (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 1000 μg/ml). On the other hand, DA‐EO at 25 and 12.5 μg/ml presented remarkable schistosomicidal action in vitro and killed 100% of adult worm pairs within 24 and 72 h, respectively. The LC₅₀ values of DA‐EO were 6.50 ± 0.38, 3.66 ± 1.06, and 3.65 ± 0.76 μg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. However, DA‐EO at concentrations higher than 312.5 μg/ml significantly reduced the viability of GM07492‐A cells (IC₅₀ = 207.1 ± 4.4 μg/ml). The selectivity index showed that DA‐EO was 31.8 times more toxic to the adult S. mansoni worms than GM07492‐A cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate the promising schistosomicidal potential of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides.     

Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Limonoids,Alkaloids, and Phenolic Compounds from Phellodendron amurense Bark

Four limonoids, 1  –  4 , five alkaloids, 5  –  9 , and four phenolic compounds, 10  –  13 , were isolated from a MeOH extract of the bark of Phellodendron amurense (Rutaceae). Among these, compound 13 was new, and its structure was established as rel‐(1R,2R,3R)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐6‐methoxy‐1‐(methoxycarbonylmethyl)indane‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester (γ‐di(methyl ferulate)) based on the spectrometric analysis. Upon evaluation of compounds 1  –  13 against the melanogenesis in the B16 melanoma cells induced with α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), four compounds, limonin ( 1 ), noroxyhydrastinine ( 6 ), haplopine ( 7 ), and 4‐methoxy‐1‐methylquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 8 ), exhibited potent melanogenesis‐inhibitory activities with almost no toxicity to the cells. Western blot analysis revealed that compound 6 inhibited melanogenesis, at least in part, by inhibiting the expression of protein levels of tyrosinase, TRP‐1, and TRP‐2 in α‐MSH‐stimulated B16 melanoma cells. In addition, when compounds 1  –  13 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), duodenum (AZ521), and breast (SK‐BR‐3) cancer cell lines, five compounds, berberine ( 5 ), 8 , canthin‐6‐one ( 9 ), α‐di‐(methyl ferulate) ( 12 ), and 13 , exhibited cytotoxicities against one or more cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.6 – 90.0 μm . In particular, compound 5 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against AZ521 (IC₅₀ 2.6 μm ) which was superior to that of the reference cisplatin (IC₅₀ 9.5 μm ).     

Electrical penetration graphs indicate that tricin is a key secondary metabolite of rice,inhibiting phloem feeding of brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens

Tricin (5,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐3′,5′‐dimethoxyflavone) is a valuable secondary metabolite which is widely present in gramineous plants, including cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) (Poaceae). It can defend the rice plant against damage by the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), one of the most important pests of rice. This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of tricin on BPH feeding behavior. BPH feeding behavior in resistant (Rathu Heenati, RHT) and susceptible (Taichuang native 1, TN1) rice varieties and artificial diets was monitored using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. Tricin concentrations in leaves of varieties RHT and TN1 were quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography, coupled to tandem mass spectrometric techniques. Six (NP and N1‐5) and four (NP, N1, N2, and N4) types of waveforms occurred during feeding on rice plants and artificial diets, respectively. The tricin concentration of rice varieties was correlated with total and average durations of N4. Moreover, EPG data indicated that tricin significantly increased the duration of non‐probing and pathway periods and strongly inhibited phloem ingestion (N4). The inhibition was strongly dose dependent, resulting in complete suppression of activity in the phloem region when the tricin concentration was increased to 1 g l^?1. This study revealed that tricin disturbed the feeding behavior of BPH mainly by increasing the non‐probe period and inhibiting phloem ingestion. We confirmed the hypothesis that tricin is a ‘stylet probing stimulant’ of rice planthoppers as proposed in previous studies. The information on the ecological effect of tricin from this study may be useful to clarify the resistance mechanism against BPH of RHT and other tricin‐containing rice varieties.     

Genetically manipulated Brassica genotypes affect demography and performance of Diadegma semiclausum parasitizing Plutella xylostella

The performance of Diadegma semiclausum (Hellen) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) reared on canola's progenitor (Brassica rapa L.), two cultivated canola cultivars (Opera and RGS₀₀₃), one hybrid (Hyula₄₀₁), one gamma‐ray mutant‐RGS₀₀₃ and one transgenic (PF) genotype was compared using the age‐stage, two‐sex life table parameters. All experiments were carried out in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 (L : D) h. There were significant differences in duration of different life stages of D. semiclausum on its host larvae reared on different plant genotypes. The shortest (12.27 days) and longest (15.21 days) pre‐adult developmental times were observed on cultivar‐RGS₀₀₃ and hybrid‐Hyula₄₀₁, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) in D. semiclausum ranged between 0.189/day (cultivar‐Opera) and 0.141/day (transgenic‐PF). Moreover, the highest (20.078 offspring) and lowest (12.027 offspring) net reproductive rates (R₀) were observed on cultivar‐Opera and hybrid‐Hyula₄₀₁. The mean generation time (T) of D. semiclausum was the highest (18.34 days) and lowest (15.05 days) on mutant‐RGS₀₀₃ and cultivar‐RGS₀₀₃. The maximum and minimum parasitism values of this parasitoid were observed on canola's progenitor (44.28%) and hybrid‐Hyula₄₀₁ (37.09%). The heaviest pupae (3.82 mg) and females (3.22 mg) of the parasitoid were found on canola's progenitor and cultivar‐Opera, respectively. The results showed that performance of this parasitoid was better on canola's progenitor and cultivated plants known to have higher levels of glucosinolates concentration than others.     

Composition and Biological Activity of Picea pungens and Picea orientalis Seed and Cone Essential Oils

The increasing consumption of natural products lead us to discover and study new plant materials, such as conifer seeds and cones, which could be easily available from the forest industry as a waste material, for their potential uses. The chemical composition of the essential oils of Picea pungens and Picea orientalis was fully characterized by GC and GC/MS methods. Seed and cone oils of both tree species were composed mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which limonene, α‐ and β‐pinene were the major, but in different proportions in the examined conifer essential oils. The levorotary form of chiral monoterpene molecules was predominant over the dextrorotary form. The composition of oils from P. pungens seeds and cones was similar, while the hydrodistilled oils of P. orientalis seeds and cones differed from each other, mainly by a higher amount of oxygenated derivatives of monoterpenes and by other higher molar mass terpenes in seed oil. The essential oils showed mild antimicrobial action, however P. orientalis cone oil exhibited stronger antimicrobial properties against tested bacterial species than those of P. pungens. Effects of the tested cone essential oils on human skin fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC‐1) were similar: in a concentration of 0 – 0.075 μl/ml the oils were rather safe for human skin fibroblasts and 0 – 0.005 μl/ml for HMEC‐1 cells. IC₅₀ value of Picea pungens oils was 0.115 μl/ml, while that of Picea orientalis was 0.105 μl/ml. The value of IC₅₀ of both oils were 0.035 μl/ml for HMEC‐1 cells. The strongest effect on cell viability had the oil from Picea orientalis cones, while on DNA synthesis the oil from Picea pungens cones.     

Chemotaxonomic Considerations of the n‐Alkane Composition in Pinus heldreichii,P. nigra,and P. peuce

The n‐alkane composition in the leaf cuticular waxes of natural populations of Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), Austrian pine (P. nigra), and Macedonian pine (P. peuce) was compared for the first time. The range of n‐alkanes was wider in P. nigra (C₁₆ – C₃₃) than in P. heldreichii and P. peuce (C₁₈ – C₃₃). Species also diverged in abundance and range of dominant n‐alkanes (P. heldreichii: C₂₃, C₂₇, and C₂₅; P. nigra: C₂₅, C₂₇, C₂₉, and C₂₃; P. peuce: C₂₉, C₂₅, C₂₇, and C₂₃). Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, DA, and CA) generally pointed out separation of populations of P. nigra from populations of P. heldreichii and P. peuce (which were, to a greater or lesser extent, separated too). However, position of these species on the basis of n‐alkane composition was in accordance neither with infrageneric classification nor with recent molecular and terpene investigations.     

The ROS‐induced cytotoxicity of ascorbate is attenuated by hypoxia and HIF‐1alpha in the NCI60 cancer cell lines

Intravenous application of high‐dose ascorbate is used in complementary palliative medicine to treat cancer patients. Pharmacological doses of ascorbate in the mM range induce cytotoxicity in cancer cells mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), namely hydrogen peroxide and ascorbyl radicals. However, little is known about intrinsic or extrinsic factors modulating this ascorbate‐mediated cytotoxicity. Under normoxia and hypoxia, ascorbate IC₅₀ values were determined on the NCI60 cancer cells. The cell cycle, the influence of cobalt chloride‐induced hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT‐1) expression (a pro‐survival HIF‐1α‐downstream‐target) were analysed after ascorbate exposure under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The amount of ascorbyl radicals increased with rising serum concentrations. Hypoxia (0.1% O₂) globally increased the IC₅₀ of ascorbate in the 60 cancer cell lines from 4.5 ± 3.6 mM to 10.1 ± 5.9 mM (2.2‐fold increase, P < 0.001, Mann–Whitney t‐test), thus inducing cellular resistance towards ascorbate. This ascorbate resistance depended on HIF‐1α‐signalling, but did not correlate with cell line‐specific expression of the ascorbate transporter GLUT‐1. However, under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, ascorbate treatment at the individual IC₅₀ reduced the expression of GLUT‐1 in the cancer cells. Our data show a ROS‐induced, HIF‐1α‐ and O₂‐dependent cytotoxicity of ascorbate on 60 different cancer cells. This suggests that for clinical application, cancer patients should additionally be oxygenized to increase the cytotoxic efficacy of ascorbate.     

Chemical Composition,Antioxidant Properties, α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory,and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Acacia mollissima and Acacia cyclops Cultivated in Tunisia

The genus Acacia is quite large and can be found in the warm subarid and arid parts, but little is known about its chemistry, especially the volatile parts. The volatile oils from fresh flowers of A. mollissima and A. cyclops (growing in Tunisia) obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC then GC/MS. Eighteen (94.7% of the total oil composition) and 23 (97.4%) compounds were identified in these oils, respectively. (E,E)‐α‐Farnesene (51.5%) and (E)‐cinnamyl alcohol (10.7%) constituted the major compounds of the flower oil of A. mollissima, while nonadecane (29.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (15.9%) were the main constituents of the essential oil of A. cyclops. Antioxidant activity of the isolated oils was studied by varied assays, i.e., 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2‐azinobis 3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS); the isolated oils showed lowest IC₅₀ (4 – 39 μg/ml) indicating their high antioxidant activity. The α‐glucosidase inhibitor activity was also evaluated and Acacia oils were found to be able to strongly inhibit this enzyme with IC₅₀ values (81 – 89 μg/ml) very close to that of acarbose which was used as positive control. Furthermore, they were tested against five Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and one Candida species. Essential oil of A. mollissima was found to be more active than that of A. cyclops, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 0.31 mg/ml and MBC = 0.62 mg/ml).     

Cytotoxic Triterpenoids from the Barks of Betula platyphylla var. japonica

Phytochemical investigation on the barks of Betula platyphylla var. japonica (Betulaceae) was carried out, resulting in the isolation and identification of three new triterpenoids, 27‐O‐cis‐caffeoylcylicodiscic acid ( 1 ), 27‐O‐cis‐feruloylcylicodiscic acid ( 2 ), and 27‐O‐cis‐caffeoylmyricerol ( 3 ), along with six known triterpenoids, obtusilinin ( 4 ), winchic acid ( 5 ), 27‐O‐trans‐caffeoylcylicodiscic acid ( 6 ), uncarinic acid E ( 7 ), myriceric acid B ( 8 ), and 3‐O‐trans‐caffeoyloleanolic acid ( 9 ). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines (A549, SK‐OV‐3, SK‐MEL‐2, and Bt549). Compounds 2 , 6 , 8 , and 9 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against all of the tumor cells tested (IC₅₀ < 10.0 μm ), while compounds 3 , 4 , 5 , and 7 showed moderate cytotoxicity against all of the tumor cells tested (IC₅₀ < 20.0 μm ).     

Anti‐HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 Flavonoids and a New Kaempferol Triglycoside from the Medicinal Plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Crassulaceae) is a medicinal plant native to Madagascar. The aim of this study was to investigate the flavonoid content of an aqueous leaf extract from K. daigremontiana (Kd), and assess its antiherpetic potential. The major flavonoid, kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 1 ), was isolated from the AcOEt fraction (Kd‐AC). The BuOH‐soluble fraction afforded quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 2 ) and the new kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), named daigremontrioside. The crude extract, Kd‐AC fraction, flavonoids 1 and 2 were evaluated using acyclovir‐sensitive strains of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2. Kd‐AC was highly active against HSV‐1 (EC₅₀ = 0.97 μg/ml, SI > 206.1) and HSV‐2 (EC₅₀ = 0.72 μg/ml, SI > 277.7). Flavonoids 1 and 2 showed anti‐HSV‐1 (EC₅₀ = 7.4 μg/ml; SI > 27 and EC₅₀ = 5.8 μg/ml; SI > 8.6, respectively) and anti‐HSV‐2 (EC₅₀ = 9.0 μg/ml; SI > 22.2 and EC₅₀ = 36.2 μg/ml; SI > 5.5, respectively) activities, suggesting the contribution of additional substances to the antiviral activity.     

Variation in Polyphenolic Profiles,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Different Achillea Species as Natural Sources of Antiglycative Compounds

A comparative study was carried out on the methanolic extracts from six Achillea species and the examined polyphenols from these plants on the formation of advanced glycation end‐products (AGE) in vitro. A. pachycephala which was richer in flavonoids (15 mg quercetin/g W) and phenolics (111.10 mg tannic acid/g DW) with substantial antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 365.5 μg/ml) presented strong anti‐AGE properties. Chlorogenic acid, luteolin, quercetin and caffeic acid were identified as the major polyphenols in the extracts by HPLC. In general, polyphenolic content follows the order of A. pachycephalla > A. nobilis > A. filipendulina > A. santolina > A. aucheri > A. millefolium. Most extracts exhibited marked anti‐AGE ability in the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/methylglyoxal (MG) system, though A. pachycephala showed the highest potential. The formation of AGEs was assessed by monitoring the production of fluorescent products and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Diminution in free radical production (assessed by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays) is discussed as potential mechanism for delay or reduced AGE. The results demonstrate the antiglycative, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Achillea species which can be attributed to polyphenols content and the effectiveness on generation of AGEs, thus Achillea species can be considered as natural sources for slowing down glycation related diseases.     

Total Synthesis and Antibacterial Study of Cyclohexapeptides Desotamide B,Wollamide B and Their Analogs

As natural‐product‐derived antibiotics, desotamides A – D and wollamides exhibit growth inhibitory activity against Gram‐posivite bacteria (IC₅₀ 0.6 – 7 μm ) and are noncytotoxic to mammalian cells (IC₅₀ > 30 μm ). Herein we firstly report the total synthesis of above two cyclohexapeptides as well as a series of structural variants through solid phase peptide synthesis, of which 3 displayed a 2‐fold increase of antibacterial activity when compared with the original peptide 1 . This strategy may offer good improvements for the synthesis of other cyclic peptides.     

The genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) in a temperate estuary with description of two new species: Pseudo-nitzschia plurisecta sp. nov. and Pseudo-nitzschia abrensis sp. nov.

The genus Pseudo‐nitzschia contains potentially toxic species of problematic taxonomy, making it one of the most intensively studied diatom genera. The study of 35 clonal strains isolated from the Bilbao estuary, an area that experiences recurrent blooms of Pseudo‐nitzschia, revealed the presence of two new species, P. abrensis and P. plurisecta, differing from their congeners in both morphology and gene sequence. The morphological features were analyzed by LM and EM, whereas molecular analyses were based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) regions of the rDNA. P. plurisecta appears closely related to P. cuspidata/P. pseudodelicatissima in the phylogenetic tree, whereas P. abrensis forms a moderately supported clade with P. heimii/P. subpacifica and P. caciantha/P. circumpora. Comparison of the secondary structure of ITS2 regions reveals marked differences in the most highly conserved regions among related taxa. Morphologically, the new species differ from their closest congeners in the arrangement of the poroid sectors and the density of valve striae and fibulae. The two species share similar pigment composition, and belong to the group of Pseudo‐nitzschia species containing only chlorophyll c₂ and c₃.     

Role of ethylene and related gene expression in the interaction between strawberry plants and the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense

• Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is one of the indirect mechanisms of growth promotion exerted by plant growth‐promoting bacteria, and can be mediated by ethylene (ET). We assessed ET production and the expression of related genes in the Azospirillum–strawberry plant interaction.
• Ethylene production was evaluated by gas chromatography in plants inoculated or not with A. brasilense REC3. Also, plants were treated with AgNO₃, an inhibitor of ET biosynthesis; with 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), a precursor of ET biosynthesis; and with indole acetic acid (IAA). Plant dry biomass and the growth index were determined to assess the growth‐promoting effect of A. brasilense REC3 in strawberry plants. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT‐PCR) was performed to analyse relative expression of the genes Faetr1, Faers1 and Faein4, which encode ET receptors; Factr1 and Faein2, involved in the ET signalling pathway; Faacs1 encoding ACC synthase; Faaco1 encoding ACC oxidase; and Faaux1 and Faami1 for IAA synthesis enzymes.
• Results showed that ET acts as a rapid and transient signal in the first 12 h post‐treatment. A. brasilense REC3‐inoculated plants had a significantly higher growth index compared to control plants. Modulation of the genes Faetr1, Faers1, Faein4, Factr1, Faein2 and Faaco1 indicated activation of ET synthesis and signalling pathways. The up‐regulation of Faaux1 and Faami1 involved in IAA synthesis suggested that inoculation with A. brasilense REC3 induces production of this auxin, modulating ET signalling.
• Ethylene production and up‐regulation of genes associated with ET signalling in strawberry plants inoculated with A. brasilense REC3 support the priming activation characteristic of ISR. This type of resistance and the activation of systemic acquired resistance previously observed in this interaction indicate that both are present in strawberry plants, could act synergistically and increase protection against pathogens.

     

Biotransformations of Bile Acids with Bacteria from Cayambe Slaughterhouse (Ecuador): Synthesis of Bendigoles

The biotransformations of cholic acid ( 1a ), deoxycholic acid ( 1b ), and hyodeoxycholic acid ( 1c ) to bendigoles and other metabolites with bacteria isolated from the rural slaughterhouse of Cayambe (Pichincha Province, Ecuador) were reported. The more active strains were characterized, and belong to the genera Pseudomonas and Rhodococcus. Various biotransformation products were obtained depending on bacteria and substrates. Cholic acid ( 1a ) afforded the 3‐oxo and 3‐oxo‐4‐ene derivatives 2a and 3a (45% and 45%, resp.) with P. mendocina ECS10, 3,12‐dioxo‐4‐ene derivative 4a (60%) with Rh. erythropolis ECS25, and 9,10‐secosteroid 6 (15%) with Rh. erythropolis ECS12. Bendigole F ( 5a ) was obtained in 20% with P. fragi ECS22. Deoxycholic acid ( 1b ) gave 3‐oxo derivative 2b with P. prosekii ECS1 and Rh. erythropolis ECS25 (20% and 61%, resp.), while 3‐oxo‐4‐ene derivative 3b was obtained with P. prosekii ECS1 and P. mendocina ECS10 (22% and 95%, resp.). Moreover, P. fragi ECS9 afforded bendigole A ( 8b ; 80%). Finally, P. mendocina ECS10 biotransformed hyodeoxycholic acid ( 1c ) to 3‐oxo derivative 2c (50%) and Rh. erythropolis ECS12 to 6α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxo‐23,24‐dinor‐5β‐cholan‐22‐oic acid ( 9c , 66%). Bendigole G ( 5c ; 13%) with P. prosekii ECS1 and bendigole H ( 8c ) with P. prosekii ECS1 and Rh. erythropolis ECS12 (20% and 16%, resp.) were obtained.     

Uptake kinetics and storage capacity of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and corresponding dissolved inorganic nitrate uptake in Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae)

Uptake rates of dissolved inorganic phosphorus and dissolved inorganic nitrogen under unsaturated and saturated conditions were studied in young sporophytes of the seaweeds Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae) using a “pulse‐and‐chase” assay under fully controlled laboratory conditions. In a subsequent second “pulse‐and‐chase” assay, internal storage capacity (ISC) was calculated based on V_M and the parameter for photosynthetic efficiency F_v/F_m. Sporophytes of S. latissima showed a V_S of 0.80 ± 0.03 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 and a V_M of 0.30 ± 0.09 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 for dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), whereas V_S for DIN was 11.26 ± 0.56 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 and V_M was 3.94 ± 0.67 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1. In L. digitata, uptake kinetics for DIP and DIN were substantially lower: V_S for DIP did not exceed 0.38 ± 0.03 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 while V_M for DIP was 0.22 ± 0.01 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1. V_S for DIN was 3.92 ± 0.08 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1 and the V_M for DIN was 1.81 ± 0.38 μmol · cm^?2 · d^?1. Accordingly, S. latissima exhibited a larger ISC for DIP (27 μmol · cm^?2) than L. digitata (10 μmol · cm^?2), and was able to maintain high growth rates for a longer period under limiting DIP conditions. Our standardized data add to the physiological understanding of S. latissima and L. digitata, thus helping to identify potential locations for their cultivation. This could further contribute to the development and modification of applications in a bio‐based economy, for example, in evaluating the potential for bioremediation in integrated multitrophic aquacultures that produce biomass simultaneously for use in the food, feed, and energy industries.     

Two New Anti‐Proliferative C18‐Norditerpenes from the Roots of Podocarpus macrophyllus

Activity‐guided fractionation strategy was used to investigate chemical constituents from the roots of Podocarpus macrophyllus. Successfully, two new norditerpenes, 2β‐hydroxymakilactone A ( 1 ) and 3β‐hydroxymakilactone A ( 2 ), along with ten known analogues ( 3  –  12 ) were isolated. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D‐, 2D‐NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS data. The previously reported structure of 2,3‐dihydro‐2α‐hydroxypodolide was revised as 2,3‐dihydro‐2β‐hydroxypodolide ( 3 ) by spectroscopic analysis, and was further confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds against five human solid tumour cell lines (AGS, HeLa, MDA‐MB‐231, HepG‐2, and PANC‐1) were evaluated. All of them exhibited anti‐proliferative activities (IC₅₀ = 0.3 – 27 μm ), except for 10 . Compounds 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , and 8 exhibited potent inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ < 1 μm against HeLa and AGS cells.     

Investigations on Antioxidant,Antiproliferative and COX‐2 Inhibitory Potential of Alkaloids from Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. Leaves

In the present study, an ayurvedic medicinal plant, Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb .) Miq . commonly known as ‘Kadamb’ was explored for its potential against oxidative stress and cancer. The fractions namely AC‐4 and ACALK (alkaloid rich fraction) were isolated from A. cadamba leaves by employing two different isolation methods and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. The structure of the isolated AC‐4 was characterized tentatively as dihydrocadambine by using various spectroscopic techniques such as ESI‐QTOF‐MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC. Results of various antioxidant assays viz. 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS cation radical, superoxide anion radical scavenging, and plasmid nicking assay demonstrated that both the fractions viz. AC‐4 and ACALK possess ability to scavenge DPPH, ABTS radicals and effectively protected plasmid pBR322 DNA from damage caused by hydroxyl radicals. Further, when both fractions were evaluated for their potential to suppress growth of HeLa and COLO 205 cells, only ACALK fraction showed antiproliferative effects. ACALK exhibited GI₅₀ of 205.98 and 99.54 μg/ml in HeLa and COLO 205 cell lines, respectively. Results of Hoechst staining in cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells confirmed that ACALK induced cell death in HeLa cells via apoptotic mode. Both the fractions also inhibited COX‐2 enzyme activity.     

Influence of tomato spotted wilt virus on performance and behaviour of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

The general principles in pathogen transmission by insects involve a complex and specific interplay, in this case between thrips, tospovirus and their shared host plant, which has led to outbreaks of crop disease epidemics of economic and social importance. The possible processes and factors driving their co‐evolution were partly studied by rearing Frankliniella occidentalis [western flower thrips (WFT)] on either tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)–infected or uninfected Capsicum annum leaflets throughout their larval stages. Later, pupae were transferred individually on healthy leaf discs for further studies of the influence of TSWV on WFT development and behavioural patterns. The exposure of WFT to TSWV was found to improve performance with regard to longevity and survival, with mean longevity being significantly higher in TSWV‐exposed WFT compared to unexposed ones (F_(3,403) = 22.44, P < 0.0001). The observed improvement in survival was as a result of significant reduction in mortality for the WFT individuals exposed to TSWV (F_(3,383) = 849.94, P < 0.0001) compared to the unexposed. However, the results showed a significant reduction in mean daily fecundity overtime (F_10,10) = 246.66, P < 0.0001) and across the four treatments (F_(3,30) = 6.62, P = 0.001), as well as lifetime fecundity (F_(3,23) = 21.23, P < 0.0001) of the WFT exposed to TSWV compared to the unexposed reared on uninfected leaf discs. For preferential test, C. annum leaf discs infected with TSWV were more attractive to WFT as compared to healthy leaf discs (χ²_{(4, 34)} = 112.35, P < 0.0001). These results are envisaged to contribute to a clear understanding into the plant–vector–virus interaction, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and control of the TSWV epidemic, as well as the control of F. occidentalis as crop pest.