Vibrational and electrochemical studies of pectin-a candidate towards environmental friendly lithium-ion battery development.

Pectin polymers are considered for lithium-ion battery electrodes. To understand the performance of pectin as an applied buffer layer, the electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of pectin films are investigated. This work describes a methodology for creating pectin films, including both pristine pectin and Fe-doped pectin, which are optically translucent, and explores their potential for lithium-ion battery application. The transmission response is found extended in optimally Fe-doped pectin, and prominent modes for cation bonding are identified. Fe doping enhances the conductivity observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and from the magnetic response of pectin evidence for Fe3+ is identified. The Li-ion half-cell prepared with pectin as binder for anode materials such as graphite shows stable charge capacity over long cycle life, and with slightly higher specific capacity compare with the cell prepared using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as binder. A novel enhanced charging specific capacity at a high C-rate is observed in cells with pectin binder, suggesting that within a certain rate (∼5 C), pectin has higher capacity at faster charge rates. The pectin system is found as a viable base material for organic-inorganic synthesis studies.

Biphenyl-Type Neolignan Derivatives from the Twigs of Magnolia denudata and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Two new biphenyl-type neolignan derivatives, 2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-benzofuran-5-yl]-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol (1) and 2'-ethoxy-5,5'-di(prop-2-en-1-yl)biphenyl-2-ol (2), were isolated from the twigs of Magnolia denudata, together with six known compounds (3-8). The structures of 1 and 2 were determined through extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass-spectrometric analyses. Magnolol (6) and honokiol (7) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50 values=4.4±0.2 and 0.71±0.13 µg/ml, resp.) of O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$ generation by human nutrophils in response to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). In addition, 2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-benzofuran-5-yl]-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol (1), 2'-ethoxy-5,5'-di(prop-2-en-1-yl)biphenyl-2-ol (2), magnolol (6), and vanillic acid (8) inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC50 values=6.4±1.5, 2.4±0.4, 1.5±0.2, and 4.8±0.5 µg/ml, respectively.

New benzo[c]phenanthridine and benzenoid derivatives, and other constituents from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides: Effects on neutrophil pro-inflammatory responses.

A new benzo[c]phenanthridine, oxynorchelerythrine (1), and two new benzenoid derivatives, methyl 4-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy)benzoate (2) and (E)-methyl 4-(4-((Z)-3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)phenoxy)-2-methylbut-2-enoate (3), have been isolated from the twigs of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides, together with 11 known compounds (4-14). The structures of these new compounds were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Among the isolated compounds, decarine (4), (-)-syringaresinol (6), (+)-episesamin (8), glaberide I (9), (-)-dihydrocubebin (10), and xanthyletin (11) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50 values ≤ 4.79 µg/mL) of superoxide anion generation by human nutrophils in response to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). Compounds 4, 8, and 11 also inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC50 values ≤ 5.48 µg/mL.

Biphenyl-type neolignans from Magnolia officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and granule proteases produced by human neutrophils contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. The MeOH extract of the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis showed potent inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). Five biphenyl-type neolignan derivatives, 5-allyl-5'-(1″-hydroxyallyloxy)biphenyl-2,2'-diol, 5,5'-diallyl-2'-(allyloxy)biphenyl-2-ol, 5,5'-diallyl-2'-(3-methylbut-2-enyloxy)biphenyl-2-ol, (E)-5-allyl-3'-(prop-1-enyl)biphenyl-2,4'-diol, and 4-allyl-2-(2'-methylbenzofuran-5'-yl)phenol, have been isolated from the stem bark of M. officinalis, together with 12 known compounds. Several exhibited inhibition (IC50) values ≤10.7 µM) of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to fMLP/CB. Others inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC50) values ≤8.76 µM.

Amides and benzenoids from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides with inhibitory activity on superoxide generation and elastase release by neutrophils.

Five new compounds, ailanthamide (1), N-(4-methoxyphenethyl)-N-methylbenzamide (2), (2E,4E)-N-isobutyl-6-oxohepta-2,4-dienamide (3), 4-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methylbutoxy)benzaldehyde (4), and (E)-methyl 4-[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)phenoxy]-2-methylbut-2-enoate (5), and 17 known compounds have been isolated from the stem bark of Zanthoxylum ailanthoides. The structures were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compounds 1, 3, xanthyletin, decarine, (+)-episesamin, (-)-hinokinin, and evofolin-B exhibited inhibition (IC(50) < or = 5.34 microg/mL) of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). Compounds 1, xanthyletin, decarine, and (+)-episesamin also inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC(50) values < or = 5.53 microg/mL.