The characteristic smell emitted from two scale insects, Ceroplastes japonicus and Ceroplastes rubens.

The volatile components emitted from two scale insects, Ceroplastes japonicus and Ceroplastes rubens, were identified using GC-MS analysis. The major volatile components of the solvent extract from C. japonicus were α-humulene (35.8%) and δ-cadinene (17.0%), while those of C. rubens were ß-selinene (10.3%) and ß-elemene (5.1%). In GC/olfactometry, linalool, butyric acid, 3-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and vanillin were identified as the odor-active components of the extract from C. japonicus, in addition to trace amounts of trans-4,5-epoxy-(2E)-decenal, 4-methyl-(3E)-hexenoic acid, and phenylacetic acid. With regard to C. rubens, trans-4,5-epoxy-(2E)-decenal, 3-methylbutyric acid, and phenylacetic acid were identified as the odor-active components. Besides, decan-1,4-olide (γ-decalactone) with milky cherry-like note and 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one (sotolone) with brown sugar-like note were also detected as the characteristic cherry-like sweet-and-sour note of these two scale insects. ABBREVIATIONS: GC: Gas chromatography; GC/O: gas chromatography/olfactometry.

A sesquiterpenoid tropolone and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives from Olax imbricata roots.

The methanol extract of Olax imbricata roots afforded one new sesquiterpenoid tropolone and three new 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives, olaximbrisides A-D (1-4). Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments in combination of HRESIMS. The relative configurations were assigned by the NOESY experiments. The absolute configurations were established by a combination of X-ray diffraction analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against some cancer cell lines. Among them, compound 1 exhibited the cytotoxicities against MCF-7, HepG2 and LU cell lines with IC50 values of 16.3, 34.3 and 8.0 µM, respectively.

New Bis-Alkenoic Acid Derivatives from a Marine-Derived Fungus Fusarium solani H915.

Fusarium solani H915 is a fungus derived from mangrove sediments. From its ethyl acetate extract, a new alkenoic acid, fusaridioic acid A (1), three new bis-alkenoic acid esters, namely, fusariumester A1 (2), A2 (3) and B (4), together with three known compounds (5⁻7), were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were comprehensively characterized by high resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Additionally, the antifungal activities against tea pathogenic fungi Pestalotiopsis theae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were studied. The new compound, 4, containing a ß-lactone ring, exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against P. theae, with an MIC of 50 µg/disc. Hymeglusin (6), a typical ß-lactone antibiotic and a terpenoid alkaloid, equisetin (7), exhibited potent inhibitory activities against both fungal species. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their effects on zebrafish embryo development. Equisetin clearly imparted toxic effect on zebrafish even at low concentrations. However, none of the alkenoic acid derivatives exhibited significant toxicity to zebrafish eggs, embryos, or larvae. Thus, the ß-lactone containing alkenoic acid derivatives from F. solani H915 are low in toxicity and are potent antifungal agents against tea pathogenic fungi.

Equisetin as potential quorum sensing inhibitor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVE: To screen for the quorum-sensing (QS) inhibitors from marine-derived fungi and evaluate their anti-QS properties in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS: QS inhibitory activity was found in secondary metabolites of a marine fungus Fusarium sp. Z10 using P. aeruginosa QSIS-lasI biosensor. The major active compound of this fungus was isolated by HPLC and identified as equisetin. Subinhibitory concentration of equisetin could inhibit the formation of biofilm, swarming motility, and the production of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa. The inhibition of las, PQS, and rhl system by equisetin were determined using Escherichia coli MG4/pKDT17, E.coli pEAL08-2, and E.coli pDSY, respectively. Real-time RT-PCR assays showed that equisetin could downregulate the mRNA expression of QS-related genes. CONCLUSIONS: Equisetin proved its potential as an inhibitor against P. aeruginosa QS system and might also serve as precursor compound in development of novel therapeutics for infectious diseases by optimal design of structures.

Graphene-Derivatized Silica Composite as Solid-Phase Extraction Sorbent Combined with GC-MS/MS for the Determination of Polycyclic Musks in Aqueous Samples.

Polycyclic musks (PCMs) have recently received growing attention as emerging contaminants because of their bioaccumulation and potential ecotoxicological effects. Herein, an effective method for the determination of five PCMs in aqueous samples is presented. Reduced graphene oxide-derivatized silica (rGO@silica) particles were prepared from graphene oxide and aminosilica microparticles and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. PCMs were preconcentrated using rGO@silica as the solid-phase extraction sorbent and quantified by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Several experimental parameters, such as eluent, elution volume, sorbent amount, pH, and sample volume were optimized. The correlation coefficient (R) ranged from 0.9958 to 0.9992, while the limits of detection and quantitation for the five PCMs were 0.3-0.8 ng/L and 1.1-2.1 ng/L, respectively. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained for tap water (86.6-105.9%) and river water samples (82.9-107.1%), with relative standard deviations <10% under optimal conditions. The developed method was applied to analyze PCMs in tap and river water samples from Beijing, China. Galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) were the main PCM components detected in one river water sample at concentrations of 18.7 for HHCB, and 11.7 ng/L for AHTN.

Camphor sulphonic acid mediated quantitative 1,3-diol protection of major Labdane diterpenes isolated from Andrographis paniculata.

Phytochemical survey of the methanol extract of the dried aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata led to the isolation of major labdane diterpenes, namely 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide, andrographolide and neoandrographolide. Andrographolide was found to be the major phytoconstituent of the plant which was biologically active. For better physiochemical characteristics and bioefficacy, andrographolide is subjected to semi-synthetic modifications. However, presence of several free hydroxyl groups associated with this molecule make it quite polar and poorly soluble in many organic solvents and hence unsuitable for synthetic modifications. One way of resolving its solubility issue is to protect 1,3-diol quantitatively under mild reaction condition without effecting other functional groups. Reaction conditions were optimised using different solvent systems and catalysts towards this direction. X-ray structure of 3,19-isopropylidene-14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide is being reported here for the first time. Isolated compounds and derivatives were confirmed by spectral analysis or X-ray data analysis.

Insights into the structure-activity relationship of the anticancer compound ZJ-101, a derivative of marine natural product superstolide A: A critical role played by the conjugated trienyl lactone moiety.

Compound ZJ-101, a structurally simplified analog of the marine natural product superstolide A, was previously developed in our laboratory. In the subsequent structure-activity relationship study, two new analogs, ZJ-105 and ZJ-106, were designed and synthesized to probe the importance of the conjugated trienyl lactone moiety of the molecule by replacing the C2-C3 double bond in ZJ-101 with a single bond and switching the geometry of the C4-C5 double bond in ZJ-101 from Z to E, respectively. Biological evaluation showed that ZJ-105 completely loses antiproliferative activity whereas ZJ-106 is significantly less active against cancer cells in vitro than ZJ-101, suggesting that the conjugated trienyl lactone moiety of the molecule is critical for its anticancer activity.

Antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi obtained from the arid zone invasive plant Opuntia dillenii and the isolation of equisetin, from endophytic Fusarium sp.

BACKGROUND: Opuntia dillenii is an invasive plant well established in the harsh South-Eastern arid zone of Sri Lanka. Evidence suggests it is likely that the endophytic fungal populations of O. dillenii assist the host in overcoming biotic and abiotic stress by producing biologically active metabolites. With this in mind there is potential to discover novel natural products with useful biological activities from this hitherto poorly investigated source. Consequently, an investigation of the antimicrobial activities of the endophytes of O. dillenii, that occupies a unique ecological niche, may well provide useful leads in the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. METHODS: Endophytic fungi were isolated from the surface sterilized cladodes and flowers of O. dillenii using several nutrient media and the antimicrobial activities were evaluated against three Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The two most bioactive fungi were identified by colony morphology and DNA sequencing. The secondary metabolite of the endophyte Fusarium sp. exhibiting the best activity was isolated via bioassay guided chromatography. The chemical structure was elucidated from the ESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data obtained for the active metabolite. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the active compound were determined. RESULTS: Eight endophytic fungi were isolated from O. dillenii and all except one showed antibacterial activities against at least one of the test bacteria. All extracts were inactive against C. albicans. The most bioactive fungus was identified as Fusarium sp. and the second most active as Aspergillus niger. The structure of the major antibacterial compound of the Fusarium sp. was shown to be the tetramic acid derivative, equisetin. The MIC's for equisetin were 8 µg mL(-1) against Bacillus subtilis, 16 µg mL(-1) against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). CONCLUSIONS: O. dillenii, harbors several endophytic fungi capable of producing antimicrobial substances with selective antibacterial properties. By producing biologically active secondary metabolites, such as equisetin isolated from the endophytic Fusarium sp., the endophytic fungal population may be assisting the host to successfully withstand stressful environmental conditions. Further investigations on the secondary metabolites produced by these endophytes may provide additional drug leads.

Chemical Characterization and Botanical Origin of French Ambers.

The molecular composition of 10 Cretaceous and one Eocene ambers from France was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermochemolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The terpenoids identified in the samples were used as biomarkers for the botanical origin of the resins. The Cretaceous samples, comprising the so-called Alpine, Anjou, Charentese, Provence, Pyrenean, and Vendean ambers, ranged from the Albian-Cenomanian transition to the early Santonian (100 to 85 Ma) and correspond to class Ib resins typical of conifers. The extinct conifer family Cheirolepidiaceae was proposed as the plant source of Pyrenean and brown Charentese ambers. Araucariaceae or Cheirolepidiaceae were the plant sources of the Cenomanian Alpine, Anjou, and yellow Charentese ambers. The Santonian ambers of Provence and Vendée were found to derive from the Cupressaceae. The Eocene Oise amber (ca. 53 Ma) is a class Ic resin typical of angiosperms and was produced by a Fabaceae. The evolution of resin sources from the early Cretaceous to the Eocene periods is discussed. Finally, a possible fingerprint hitherto unveiled is proposed for cheirolepidiaceous resins, defined by the simultaneous presence of phenolic diterpenoids, labdanoic acids, callitrisate structures, and their respective derivatives.

Isolation and biological activity of a novel cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid from the essential oil of Alangium salviifolium.

The components of the essential oil from the roots of Alangium salviifolium were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Ninety compounds, representing 74.5% of the total oil, were identified; the main components of the oil were epi-α-cadinol, followed by trans-2-hydroxycalamenene, cadalene, and cadina-4,10(15)-dien-3-one. A further unknown component comprised 5.5% of the oil. Therefore, the essential oil was purified by flash column chromatography to isolate this component. Its structure was established using extensive spectroscopic data analyses, including NMR, HR-EI-MS, and IR. The results showed that this isolated compound was (-)-7, 8-dihydroxycalamenal, which is a novel cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid. This compound was tested for its antioxidant activity and inhibition of tyrosinase, and showed particularly strong inhibition effects.

Tanzawaic acid derivatives from a marine isolate of Penicillium sp. (SF-6013) with anti-inflammatory and PTP1B inhibitory activities.

Chemical investigation of a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. SF-6013 resulted in the discovery of a new tanzawaic acid derivative, 2E,4Z-tanzawaic acid D (1), together with four known analogues, tanzawaic acids A (2) and D (3), a salt form of tanzawaic acid E (4), and tanzawaic acid B (5). Their structures were mainly determined by analysis of NMR and MS data, along with chemical methods. Preliminary screening for anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglial BV-2 cells showed that compounds 1, 2, and 5 inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) with IC50 values of 37.8, 7.1, and 42.5 µM, respectively. Compound 2 also inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophages with an IC50 value of 27.0 µM. Moreover, these inhibitory effects correlated with the suppressive effect of compound 2 on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and BV2 cells. In addition, compounds 2 and 5 significantly inhibited the activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with the same IC50 value (8.2 µM).

Cytotoxic aryltetralin lignans from fruits of Cleistanthus indochinensis.

Eight new aryltetralin lignans, cleisindosides A-F (1-6), picroburseranin (7), and 7-hydroxypicropolygamain (8), were isolated from the fruits of Cleistanthus indochinensis (Euphorbiaceae). The structures of the isolates were established on the basis of their one- and two-dimensional NMR spectral data, as well as their mass spectrometric data. Compound 7 was found to have potent cytotoxicity against oral epidermoid carcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 0.062 µM, whereas glycosylation to 3 (IC50 7.5 µM) and stereochemical changes to 8 (IC50 10.8 µM) led to marked decreases in biological activity. Thus, it was determined that the C-7 and C-8' positions are critical for the biological activity of the lignans from this plant.

Isochromenones, isobenzofuranone, and tetrahydronaphthalenes produced by Paraphoma radicina, a fungus isolated from a freshwater habitat.

Six isochromenones (1-6), clearanols F (5) and G (6), one isobenzofuranone (7), and two tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives (8 and radinaphthalenone (9)), were isolated and identified from a culture of the fungus Paraphoma radicina, which was isolated from submerged wood in a freshwater lake. Compounds 5, 6 and 9 were previously unknown. The structures were elucidated using a set of spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques; the absolute configurations of compounds 5 and 6 were determined by comparison of their experimental ECD measurements with values predicted by TDDFT calculations. Compounds 1-9 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against an array of bacteria and fungi. The inhibitory activity of compound 4 against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation was evaluated.

Extraction of three bioactive diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata: effect of the extraction techniques on extract composition and quantification of three andrographolides using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) wall.ex Nees (Acanthaceae) or Kalmegh is an important medicinal plant finding uses in many Ayurvedic formulations. Diterpenoid compounds andrographolides (APs) are the main bioactive phytochemicals present in leaves and herbage of A. paniculata. The efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide was compared with the solid-liquid extraction techniques such as solvent extraction, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and microwave-assisted solvent extraction with methanol, water and methanol-water as solvents. Also a rapid and validated reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the three biologically active compounds, AP, neoandrographolide and andrograpanin, in the extracts of A. paniculata. Under the best SFE conditions tested for diterpenoids, which involved extraction at 60°C and 100 bar, the extractive efficiencies were 132 and 22 µg/g for AP and neoandrographolide, respectively. The modifier percentage significantly affected the extraction efficiency.

Urease inhibitory constituents from Daphne retusa.

The bioassay-guided fractionation of Daphne retusa Hemsl. has led to the isolation of a new aryl tetrahydronaphthalene lignan derivative named as daphnretusic acid (1), along with six new source compounds such as 5,7-dihydroxyflavone (2), 7-hydroxyflavone (3), 6-methoxyflavone (4), (+) pinoresinol (5), (+) sesamin (6), and ß-sitosterol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7). Their structures were elucidated by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, 1D, 2D NMR, UV, IR, and EIMS analyses. All the fractions (n-hexane, CHCl3, AcOEt, CH3OH, and water) and pure compounds (1-7) were subjected to the assay of urease and α-chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. Chloroform and methanol soluble fractions showed moderate urease inhibition. Compound 2 exhibited significant urease inhibition with IC50 value 60.4 ± 0.72 µM, whereas compounds 1 and 3-7 remained inactive during urease inhibition and α-chymotrypsin bioassays.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Andrographis paniculata by rapid resolution liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A rapid resolution liquid chromatography/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (RRLC-TOF/MS) method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major chemical constituents in Andrographis paniculata. Fifteen compounds, including flavonoids and diterpenoid lactones, were unambiguously or tentatively identified in 10 min by comparing their retention times and accurate masses with standards or literature data. The characteristic fragmentation patterns of flavonoids and diterpenoid lactones were summarized, and the structures of the unknown compounds were predicted. Andrographolide, dehydroandrographolide and neoandrographolide were further quantified as marker substances. It was found that the calibration curves for all analytes showed good linearity (R² > 0.9995) within the test ranges. The overall limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.02 µg/mL to 0.06 µg/mL and 0.06 µg/mL to 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and inter-day precisions were below 3.3% and 4.2%, respectively. The mean recovery rates ranged from 96.7% to 104.5% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 2.72%. It is concluded that RRLC-TOF/MS is powerful and practical in qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex plant samples due to time savings, sensitivity, precision, accuracy and lowering solvent consumption.

[Advances in studies on aryltetralin lactone lignans].

Natural aryltetralin lactone lignans existed in the plants of family Berberidaceae, Acanthaceae, Burseraceae, Verbenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, etc. Due to the antineoplastic and antiviral properties, it has become a hot research topic in medicinal chemistry. This review covers extraction and isolation, biosynthesis, plant origin, and structure and spectral characteristics of natural aryltetralin lactone lignans. It will provide a useful reference for the intensive studies and rational utilization of aryltetralin lactone lignans.

[Effects of HRT on fate of typical polycyclic musk by A2O process].

Fate of galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) during the A2O process was investigated under different hydraulic retention time (HRT). Solid phase extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were applied to determine the concentrations of the targets in the aqueous phase and sewage sludge. The results showed that HRT has an influence on the proportions of biodegradation and the discharge of excess sludge for HHCB by the A2O process, and it also affected the discharge of excess sludge for AHTN. With the extension of HRT, removal rates and removal contribution rates of HHCB and AHTN decreased in the anaerobic tank, while increased in the anoxic tank and aerobic tank. The final removal rates of the targets in the four operating conditions (6 h, 8 h, 10 h and 12 h) were 73.93%, 73.05%, 75.14%, 76% and 48.76%, 44.27%, 57.17%, 62.9%, respectively. The removal efficiency was good for HHCB, but the removal efficiency of AHTN was poor by the A2O process. Meanwhile, with the extension of HRT, the removal efficiency showed no significant effect on HHCB, but it promoted the removal efficiency of AHTN.

Determination of polycyclic and nitro musks in environmental water samples by means of microextraction by packed sorbents coupled to large volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

In this work the development and validation of a new procedure for the simultaneous determination of 9 nitro and polycyclic musk compounds: musk ambrette (MA), musk ketone (MK), musk mosken (MM), celestolide (ADBI), phantolide (AHMI), tonalide (AHTN), traseolide (ATII), cashmeran (DPMI) and galaxolide (HHCB) in environmental water samples (estuarine and wastewater) using microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) followed by large volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LVI-GC-MS) was carried out. Apart from the optimization of the different variables affecting MEPS (i.e., nature of the sorbent, nature of the solvent elution, sample load, and elution/injection volume) extraction recovery was also evaluated, not only for water samples but also for environmental water matrices such as estuarine and waste water. The use of two deuterated analogs ([(2)H3]-AHTN and [(2)H15]-MX) was successfully evaluated in order to correct matrix effect in complex environmental matrices such as influent samples from wastewater treatment plants. Method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 5 to 25 ng L(-1), 7 to 39 ng L(-1) and 8 to 84 ng L(-1) for influent, effluent and estuarine samples, respectively. Apparent recoveries were higher than 75% for all target compounds in all the matrices studied (estuarine water and wastewater) and the precision of the method, calculated as relative standard deviation (RSD), was below 13.2% at 200 ng L(-1) concentration level and below 14.9% at low level (20 ng L(-1) for all the target analytes, except for AHTN which was set at 40 ng L(-1) and HHCB at 90 ng L(-1), due to the higher MDL values presented by those target compounds). Finally, this MEPS procedure was applied to the determination of the target analytes in water samples, including estuarine and wastewater, from two estuaries, Urdaibai (Spain) and Adour (France) and an established stir-bar sorptive extraction-liquid desorption/large volume injection-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SBSE-LD/LVI-GC-MS) method was performed in parallel for comparison. Results were in good agreement for all the analytes determined, except for DPMI.

Creation of an HDAC-based yeast screening method for evaluation of marine-derived actinomycetes: discovery of streptosetin A.

A histone deacetylase (HDAC)-based yeast assay employing a URA3 reporter gene was applied as a primary screen to evaluate a marine-derived actinomycete extract library and identify human class III HDAC (SIRT) inhibitors. On the basis of the bioassay-guided purification, a new compound designated as streptosetin A (1) was obtained from one of the active strains identified through the yeast assay. The gross structure of the new compound was elucidated from the 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute stereostructure of 1 was determined based on X-ray crystal structure analysis and simulation of ECD spectra using time-dependent density functional theory calculations. This compound showed weak inhibitory activity against yeast Sir2p and human SIRT1 and SIRT2.