Novel isolation of resveratrol dimer O-glucosides with enantiomeric aglycones from the leaves of Shorea cordifolia

Two O-glucosides of resveratrol dimers, ampelopsin F-11b-O-β-glucopyranosides with enantiomeric aglycones [cordifoloside A (1) and cordifoloside B (2)] and an enantiomer of the aglycone [(?)-ampelopsin F] were isolated from the leaves of Shorea cordifolia (Dipterocarpaceae). These structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and their absolute configurations were elucidated using circular dichroism data. This is the first report on oligostilbenoids that demonstrates the co-occurrence of diastereomeric O-glucosides with enantiomeric aglycones in this family.     

Molecular systematics of the Asplenium nidus complex from Mt. Halimun National Park, Indonesia: evidence for reproductive isolation among three sympatric rbcL sequence types

Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic fern with large simple leaves. Because A. nidus lacks the good taxonomic characters available for species recognition, multiple cryptic species may exist within A. nidus. In Mt. Halimun National Park, West Java, Indonesia, three rbcL sequence types of A. nidus were recorded. All plants regardless of rbcL sequence were 2n = 144. Crossing experiments among these rbcL types were conducted, and it was observed that the molecularly distinct types were reproductively isolated because hybrids failed to form between at least two pairs of rbcL types. These results suggest that these rbcL types are cryptic species because they are reproductively isolated but they are difficult to distinguish morphologically. Thus, the characters of DNA sequences information are useful in the discovery of cryptic species in ferns.     

Stilbenoids from the stem of Gnetum latifolium (Gnetaceae)

An acetone extract of the stem of Gnetum latifolium Blume afforded the stilbene trimer (latifolol) together with five known stilbenoids (gnetin E, gnetin D, gnetin C, (-)epsilon -viniferin and resveratrol). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence, in particular by using 2D NMR methods.     

Allozyme analysis of cryptic species in the Asplenium niduscomplex from West Java,Indonesia

In various fern species, a large amount of rbcL sequence variation has been reported, and it is possible that these species contain several reproductively isolated cryptic species. In our previous study on Asplenium nidus L., it was suggested that the plants growing in Mt. Halimun National Park, West Java, Indonesia, consist of several cryptic species based on the results of crossing experiments among rbcL sequence types. In this study, we examined allozyme polymorphisms of five rbcL sequence types found in West Java in order to test the hypothesis that the assemblages of A. nidus delimited based on the rbcL sequences are separate Mendelian populations and gene flow is disrupted by reproductive isolation from one another. The calculated fixation indices suggested that the individuals in each rbcL type are randomly crossing at least in the investigated localities. Nevertheless, these rbcL-based assemblages were genetically differentiated in allozymes that are encoded in their nuclear genomes, and it is also suggested that gene flow is disrupted even between sympatrically distributed pairs of rbcL sequence types. Therefore, our findings support the view that the five rbcL sequence types in West Java are potential cryptic species. Electronic Publication     

Burmannia bengkuluensis sp. nov. (Burmanniaceae) from Sumatra

A new species of Burmannia (Burmanniaceae), Burmannia bengkuluensis Tsukaya et Daernadi, discovered in a swamp adjacent to Bengkulu Airport, Sumatra, Indonesia, is described. It has poorly developed photosynthetic leaves and resembles B. ledermannii Jonker, described from a specimen collected in Palau, in having poorly developed leaves, narrowly 3‐winged erect flowers, and in particular, funnel‐shaped anthers, but differs in having dark purple flowers, longer outer perianth lobes, well‐developed, fan‐shaped inner perianth lobes, and a thick and short style. Sequence data on genomic DNA regions covering ITS1 and ITS2 are also provided.     

Six new constituents from the roots of Erythrina variegata

Three new isoflavonoids, eryvarins M-O (1-3), two new 2-arylbenzofurans, eryvarins P and Q (4 and 5), and a new 3-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, eryvarin R (6), together with three known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Erythrina variegata. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Eryvarin R (6) is an unusual 3-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivative with a formyl (CHO) group. Eryvarin Q (5) showed potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.     

Three new constituents from the roots of Erythrina variegata and their antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Two new isoflavonoids, eryvarins V and W (1 and 2, resp.), and a new chromen-4-one derivative, eryvarin X (3), along with three known isoflavonoids, 4-6, were isolated from the roots of Erythrina variegata. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 is a rare naturally occurring isoflavanone which possesses a OH group at C(3). Among the new compounds 1-3, 2 exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.     

Ultrasound characteristics of uterine myoma before and after uterine artery embolization

The diagnosis and treatment of uterine leiomyoma are topical problems of modern gynecology and radiodiagnosis. Organ-saving treatments for uterine myoma, one of which is uterine artery embolization, are gaining wide acceptance now. The objective of the study was to increase the informative value of ultrasound study to predict the uterine myoma after uterine artery embolization. One hundred uterine myoma patients aged 20 to 52 years were examined. Small pelvic Doppler ultrasonography was carried out in all the patients. The reduction of myomatous nodules was estimated after uterine artery embolization. The decrease in uterine myoma sizes was found to be due to the reduction in their vascularization and the occurrence of ischemia with degeneration in the myoma. Ultrasonography was found to be most accessible and informative in the prognostic and postoperative evaluation of the efficiency of X-ray endovascular treatment for uterine myoma.