Rinodina turfaceoides,a new corticolous,blastidiate species from the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract:A new corticolous lichen, Rinodina turfaceoides, is described from the Serra de Estrela (Portugal). It is characterized mainly by the blastidiate thallus, large apothecia covered by a thick, yellow-orange pruina, large Physcia -type ascospores and chemistry. The new species is compared with the closely related but mainly muscicolous, R. turfacea, as well as with other corticolous Rinodina species with vegetative propagules, including R. colobinoides and R. disjuncta. Habit photographs of the new species and illustrations of its ascospores are also provided.     

Antioxidant activity-guided isolation of flavonoids from Silene gallica aerial parts

A bio-guided fractionation of the 80% aqueous ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Silene gallica L. (Caryophyllaceae), growing in North-Eastern Algeria, was performed to evaluate its antioxidant activity using DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging and CUPRAC assays. Successive chromatographic separations of the most antioxidant n-BuOH soluble fraction yielded four acylated flavone C-glycosides, vitexin 2''-O-β-d-(4''',6'''-di-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (1), orientin-2''-O-β-d-(4''',6'''-di-acetyl)-glucopyranoside (2), orientin-2''-O-β-d-(6'''-feruloyl)-glucopyranoside (3), and orientin-2''-O-β-d-(6'''-sinapoyl)-glucopyranoside (4), as well as six known compounds including four flavonoids (5-8), a phenylpropanoid glycerolglucoside (regaloside A) (9), and a phytoecdysteroide (20-hydroxyecdysone) (10). Their structures were established by UV, 1D, ²D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS spectral data, in addition to comparison with literature data. The antioxidant activity of the crude extracts, fractions and compounds 1-8 was evaluated. Two acylated orientin glycosides (3 and 4) displayed the strongest antioxidant activity.     

Biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS), in vitro urease inhibitory activity,and in silico study of S-naproxen derivatives

Current study is based on the biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS) of S-naproxen (NSAID) derivatives and the evaluation of their urease inhibitory potential. In this regard, a variety of S-naproxen derivatives 2–39 including hydrazide 1, Schiff bases 2–21, aroyl substituted hydrazides 22–24, sulfohydrazides 25–34, 2-mercapto oxadiazole 35, phenacyl substituted 2-mercapto oxadiazoles 36–39 were synthesized under the umbrella of BIODS by simple chemical transformation of its pharmacophoric carboxylic group. Compounds 1–39 were evaluated for in vitro urease inhibitory activity and most of them showed good to moderate inhibitory potential in the range of IC₅₀ = 14.01 ± 0.23–76.43 ± 0.8 µM as compared to standard acetohydroxamic acid (IC₅₀ = 27.0 ± 0.5 µM). Limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established in order to rationalize the participation of varying groups (R) in the inhibitory potential of compounds. Molecular docking study on all active compounds was also carried out to decipher the interactions detail of the ligand with the receptors of active site of enzyme.     

Development of SCAR marker for sex identification in dioecious Garcinia gummi-gutta

Key message

We have developed sex-specific SCAR marker for the identification of dioecious Garcinia gummi - gutta (L.), which is useful for the selection of G. gummi - gutta at seedling stage and for plantation programmes.

Abstract

Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robs. is a dioecious fruit yielding tree, which is naturally distributed as well as cultivated in the orchards in Western Ghat regions of India. A sex-linked DNA fragment was identified in Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robs. by screening 150 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA primers and only one of them (OPBD20) showed different amplification band pattern associated with sex type. This sex-linked fragment was converted into male-specific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, CAM-566. The primers deigned in this study (OPBD20F and OPBD20R) correctly differentiated 12 male and 12 female plants at high annealing temperatures. Thus, a 556-bp band was amplified in male samples but not in female ones. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the fragments from both sexes were amplified at relatively low annealing temperatures. Additionally, the developed SCAR marker successfully identified the sexes of ten sex-unknown samples. Therefore, it can be used as an effective, convenient and reliable tool for sex determination in such dioecious species.     

Constituents of Desmodium salicifolium (Poir.) DC (Fabaceae) with antifungal activity

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Desmodium salicifolium led to the isolation of two new compounds (Desmoflavanone A: 5,2',4'-trihydroxy-4'',4''-dimethyl-2H-dihydropyranoisoflavanone (1) and desmodioside A: (22R)-3β,22,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-3-O-α- _L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-_D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-_D-glucuronopyranoside (2)) together with nine known secondary metabolites including kaikasaponin III (3), spinosin (4), isovitexin (5), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-_D-glucopyranoside (6), neorautenol (7), kaempferol (8), oleanolic acid (9), betulinic acid (10), and lupeol (11). The structures of these compounds were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis, particularly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those of related compounds reported in the literature. The methanolic extract, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions as well as some isolated compounds were assessed for their antifungal activities against two fungi using microdilution method. The methanolic extract displayed weak activity against Candida albicans (MIC = 512 µg/mL). The EtOAc fraction also exhibited weak inhibitory effect with MIC of 256 µg/mL against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Compound 3 showed moderate effect against Candida glabrata with MIC value of 16 µg/mL while 1 was inactive against both fungi.     

ACTN3 Gene R577X Polymorphism Associated with High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Adiponectin in Rugby Players

Objective: To determine the relationship between the R577X polymorphism of the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3), which may play a role in the individual differences observed in the effects of exercise on health benefits and antiatherogenic markers (i.e., high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and adiponectin) in athletes.Methods: Seventy-six male rugby players (mean age 19.8 years) were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reactions were conducted to assess ACTN3 genotypes. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, serum lipids including HDL-C, and adiponectin levels were measured. Current smoking and alcohol intake habits were evaluated with a questionnaire. All of the parameters were compared between 2 groups displaying frequently observed genotypes: one group consisting of patients having either the R/R or R/X genotype and a second group with the X/X genotype.Results: The frequency of the X allele was 0.55 and the distribution of the genotypes was 35.5% (n = 27) for X/X, 39.5% (n = 30) for R/X, and 25.0% (n = 19) for R/R. Serum HDL-C and adiponectin levels were significantly higher in X/X genotype compared to the R/R or R/X genotype (HDL-C 1.6 ± 0.3 [SD] vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 mmol/L; P<.01, adiponectin 8.8 ± 2.6 vs. 6.9 ± 2.3 μg/mL; P<.01), even after adjustments for confounders (P<.01).Conclusion: There may be a relationship between the ACTN3 genotype and HDL-C and adiponectin levels in rugby players. This may be useful information when determining the individual responses of antiatherogenic markers to exercise.Abbreviations:ACTN3 = α-actinin-3BMI = body mass indexCVD = cardiovascular diseaseHDL-C = high-density lipoprotein cholesterolLDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterolR = arginine (R) at amino acid position 577 of the ACTN3 proteinTC = total cholesterolTG = triglycerideX = truncation at amino acid position 577 of the ACTN3 protein     

Impacts of yeast metabolic network structure on enzyme evolution

A comment on D Vitkup, P Kharchenko and A Wagner: Influence of metabolic network structure and function on enzyme evolution. Genome Biol 2006, 7:R39.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of CpRuCl(R-DAB(4e)) and CpRuCo(CO)3(R-DAB(6e)). Part XVII. X-ray structure determination of CpRuCo(CO)3(t-Bu-DAB(6e))

CpRuCl(PPh₃)₂ reacted with excess R-DAB in refluxing toluene to give CpRuCl(R-DAB(4e)) (1a: R = i-Pr; 1b: R = t-Bu; 1c: R = neo-Pent; 1d: R =p-Tol). ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data indicated that in these complexes the R-DAB ligand is bonded in a chelating 4e coordination mode.Reaction of 1a and 1b with one equivalent of [Co(CO)₄]⁻ afforded CpRuCo(CO)₃(R-DAB(6e)) (2a: R = i-Pr; 2b: R = t-Bu). The structure of 2b was determined by a single crystal X-ray structure determination. Crystals of 2b are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions: a = 16.812(4), b = 12.233(3), c = 9.938(3) Å and β = 105.47(3)°. The structure was solved via the heavy atom method and refined to R = 0.060 and R_w = 0.065 for the 3706 observed reflections. The molecule contains a RuCo bond of 2.660(3) Å and a cyclopentadienyl group that is η⁵-coordinated to ruthenium [RuC(cyclopentadienyl) = 2.208(3) Å (mean)]. Two carbonyls are terminally coordinated to cobalt (CoC(1) = 1.746(7) and CoC(2) = 1.715(6) Å) while the third is slightly asymmetrically bridging the RuCo bond (RuC(3) = 2.025(6) and CoC(3) = 1.912(6) Å). The RuC(3)O(3) and CoC(3)O(3) angles are 138.4(5)° and 136.5(5)°, respectively. The t-Bu-DAB ligand is in the bridging 6e coordination mode: σ-N coordinated to Ru (RuN(2) = 2.125(4) Å), μ₂-N′ bridging the RuCo bond and η²-CN coordinated to Co (RuN(1) = 2.113(5), CoN(1) = 1.941(4) and CoC(4) = 2.084(5) Å). The η²-CN′ bonded imine group has a bond length of 1.394(7) Å indicating substantial π-backbonding from Co into the anti-bonding orbital of this CN bond.¹H NMR spectroscopy indicated that 2a and 2b are fluxional on the NMR time scale. The fluxionality of 6e bonded R-DAB ligands is rarely observed and may be explained by the reversible interchange of the σ-N and η²-CN′ coordinated imine parts of the R-DAB ligand.     

New species and other notes in the Malvaceae

The following species are described as new: Herissantia dressleri, Hibiscus longifilus, and Pavonia gentryi from Mexico, and Hibiscuswilsonii from Brazil. The comparative morphology and distribution of the MexicanPavonia melanommata Robins. & Seat. var.melanommata and ofP. melanommata var.pringleana R. E. Fries are discussed.     

Synthesis and DNase I inhibitory properties of some 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines

A series of six novel and six known thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines 2–13 were synthesized, and further were used as a starting material for preparation of a small series of eight novel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-phthalimides 14–21. Eight compounds, five amine and three phthalimide derivatives, inhibited bovine pancreatic DNase I with an IC₅₀ below 200 µM, being more effective than referent inhibitor crystal violet. Phthalimide derivatives 16, 18 and 19 exhibited higher DNase I inhibitory activity compared to their amine precursors 7, 10 and 11. Compound 19, as the most potent (IC₅₀ = 106 ± 16 µM), offers a good starting point for a design of new DNase I inhibitors. The Pharma RQSAR model showed a significant enhancement of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines activity using aryl substituents at R1 position. The E-State RQSAR model clarified the most important structural fragments relevant for DNase I inhibition. Molecular docking and Site Finder module defined the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines interactions with the most important catalytic residues of DNase I, including Glu 39, His 134, Asp 168 and His 252. We also found that steric effects and increase of molecular volume play a vital role in DNase I inhibition.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of bromophenol derivatives with cyclopropyl moiety: Ring opening of cyclopropane with monoester

Trans-(1R*,2R*,3R*)-Ethyl 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-methylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate (6) and its cis isomer 7 were obtained from the reaction of the methyl isoeugenol (5) with ethyl diazoacetate. The reduction and bromination reactions of the ester 6 and 7 together with the hydrolysis of all esters were carried out. Opening ring of cyclopropane was observed in the reaction of 7 with bromine. The opening of cyclopropane ring with COOR and synthesis of esters, alcohols and acids (6–26) are new. These obtained bromophenol derivatives (6–26) were effective inhibitors of the cytosolic carbonic anhydrase I and II isoforms (hCA I and II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes with Ki values in the range of 7.8 ± 0.9–58.3 ± 10.3 nM for hCA I, 43.1 ± 16.7–150.2 ± 24.1 nM for hCA II, and 159.6 ± 21.9–924.2 ± 104.8 nM for AChE, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are the most popular drugs applied in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, senile dementia, and ataxia, among others.     

Design of hybrid molecules as antimycobacterial compounds: Synthesis of isoniazid-naphthoquinone derivatives and their activity against susceptible and resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Isoniazid-naphthoquinone hybrids were synthesized and evaluated against a susceptible (H₃₇Rv) strain and two isoniazid-resistant strains (INH_R1 and INH_R2) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The antimycobacterial activity of the derivatives was determined based on the resazurin microtiter assay and their cytotoxicity in adhered mouse monocyte macrophage J774.A1 cells (ATCC TIB-67). Of the twenty-two compounds evaluated against the three strains of M. tuberculosis, twenty-one presented some activity against the H₃₇Rv and INH_R1 (katG S315T) or INH_R2 (inhA C(−5)T) strains. Compounds 1a, 2a, and 8a were effective against the INH_R1 strain, and compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 5a, 5b and 8a were effective against the INH_R2 strain, with MICs in the range of 3.12–6.25 µg/mL. Compounds 1b and 5b were the most active against H₃₇Rv, with MIC of 0.78 µg/mL. Based on the selectivity index, 1b and 5b can be considered safe as a drug candidate compounds. These results demonstrate that quinoidal compounds can be used as promising scaffolds for the development of new anti-TB drugs and hybrids with activity against M. tuberculosis-susceptible and INH-resistant strains.     

Two new coumarin derivatives from the whole plant of Spermacoce latifolia

Six coumarin derivatives including two new, 2-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6H-furo[2,3-g]chromen-6-one (1) and 2-(1',2'-dihydroxypropan-2'-yl)-4-hydroxy-6H-furo[2,3-g]chromen-6-one (2), and four known ones, 7H-furo [3,2-g][1]benzopyran-7-one (3), esculetin (4), isoscopoletin (5) and 7,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin (6), were isolated for the first time from the whole plant of Spermacoce latifolia. Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature reported data. In vitro antibacterial assay indicated that compounds 1, 2 and 4 were active toward bacteria Staphyloccocus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus with MIC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.5 ug/mL.     

New glycosides from the leaves and rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis

Two new glycosides, vanillic acid 4-O-β-d-(6′-O-(Z)-2′'-methylbut-2′'-enoate)glucopyranoside (1), p-methoxycarvacrol-6-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), along with two known analogues (3-4), were isolated from the leaves and rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis. The structures of these isolates were determined by UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses.     

Antimicrobial lignans derived from the roots of Streblus asper

Four new lignans, (7′R,8′S)-4,4'-Dimethoxy-strebluslignanol (1), 3'-Hydroxy-isostrebluslignaldehyde (2), 3,3'-Methylene-bis(4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) (3), and 4-Methoxy-isomagnaldehyde (4), and six known lignans (5–10), were isolated from the roots of Streblus asper. The structures of these molecules were elucidated through various spectroscopic methods of analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR. The stereochemistry at the chiral centres was determined using the CD spectrum and from coupling constant and optical rotation data. Compounds 1–6 showed good antimicrobial activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9763), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11775), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), with MIC values ranging from 0.0150 to 0.0940 μM.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on Ficus tsiangii Merr. ex Corner

Thirty-four compounds, including ten coumarins (1–10), thirteen flavonoids (11–23), three triterpenoid, one lignanoid (24), seven triterpenes (25–31) and three other compounds (32–34), were isolated from the stems of Ficus tsiangii Merr. ex Corner (F. tsiangii). Their structures were identified as xanthyletin (1), coumarin (2), umbelliferone (3), isoangenomalin (4), dihydroxanthyletin (5), scopoletin (6), nodakenetin (7), 6,7-dihydroxy-coumarin (8), 4'-O-β- glucopyranosyl-3'-hydroxy-nodakenetin (9), 6-carboxy-umbelliferone (10), 5,7,4'-trimethoxy- 3'-hydroxy-aurone (11), apigenin (12), naringenin (13), genistein (14), luteolin (15), prunetin (16), chrysoeriol (17), 5,6,7,-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-flavone (18), eriodictyol (19), isocarthamidin (20), 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone (21), taxifolin (22), dihydro-kaempferol (23), syringeresinol (24), taraxerol (25), taraxerone (26), lupeolacetate (27), 3-acetoxy-12- oleanene-11-ketone (28), 3-acetoxy-lup-12,20(29)-diene (29), oleanic acid (30), ursolic acid (31), 3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl-1-O-glucopyranoside (32), 8'-hydroxyabscisic acid glucoside (33) and adenosine (34). Among them, all compounds except 3, 14, 17, 25, 26, 30, 33 were isolated from the plant for the first time, and compounds 1, 4, 5, 8–11, 16, 18, 20, 23, 24, 32, 34 were firstly reported from the genus Ficus. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was summarized as follows.     

Acetylated allose-containing flavonoid glucosides from Stachys anisochila

In continuation of our chemosystematic study of Stachys (Labiatae) we have isolated the previously reported isoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (1) and 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (4) and four new allose-containing flavonoid glycosides from S. anisochila. The new glycosides are hypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranside] (6) as well as the three corresponding diacetyl analogues of 1, 4 and 6, isoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside], 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylisoscutellarein 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside] and hypolaetin 7-O-[6″'-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-6″-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside]. Extensive two-dimensional NMR studies (proton-carbon correlations, COSY experiments) allowed assignment of all ¹H NMR sugar signals and a correction of the ¹³C NMR signal assignments for C-2 and C-3 of the allose.