Siamfuranones A-C, three novel furanone derivatives from the flowers of Uvaria siamensis and their biological activities.

Three previously undescribed furanone derivatives named siamfuranones A-C (1-3), together with 11 known compounds (4-14), were isolated from the flowers of Uvaria siamensis. Their planar structures were determined through analysis of spectrometric and spectroscopic evidence, while electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations were used to determine their absolute configurations. In addition, gauge-including atomic orbitals (GIAO) NMR chemical shift calculation, supported by the advanced statistical method DP4 plus, was used to confirm the relative configuration of siamfuranone B (2). All the isolated compounds were evaluated against two cancer cell lines (A549 and Hela), and screened for antibacterial activities. Furthermore, they were assessed for cytotoxicity against a normal cell line (Vero cell).

A new polyphenolic isoprenylated acetophenone dimer from the stem bark of Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq.

A new acetophenone dimer, 5'-prenylacrovestone (1), together with nineteen known compounds (2-20), were isolated from the stem bark of Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq. Their structures were identified by thorough analysis of spectroscopic (IR, 1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometric data. The isolated compounds were tested against the bacterial pathogens MRSA, B. cereus, S. aureus and E. coli. Compound 3 demonstrated exceptionally potent antibacterial activity against each of the four strains (MIC values of 1 µg/mL).

Isopimarane-type diterpenoids from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga L. and their biological activities.

Fourteen isopimarane diterpenoids (1-14) were isolated from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga, including four new compounds (1-4). The isolated secondary metabolites were identified through analysis of spectroscopic (1 D and 2 D NMR) and mass spectrometric data, together with X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 4-5, 7-11, and 13 showed strong antimalarial activities, with IC50 values in the range of 1.46-3.99 µg/mL. Moreover, compounds 4, 5, 8, and 12 showed cytotoxicity against KB cell line with IC50 values in the range of 6.13-38.2 µg/mL, while compounds 4, 5, and 12 showed cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 values in the range of 11.75-47.4 µg/mL. Eventually, the isolated compounds were screened against six bacterial strains and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, demonstrating weak to moderate activities.

Acrotrione B, a Prenylated and Highly Oxidized Xanthenoid with Antibacterial and Anti-proliferative Activities from the Roots of Acronychia pedunculata.

A new prenylated xanthenoid with a highly oxidized core, acrotrione B (1: ), together with six previously reported acetophenones (2:  - 7: ), were isolated from the roots of Acronychia pedunculata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by thorough analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The relative and absolute configurations of acrotrione B were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Acrotrione B is an unusual, oxidized xanthenoid with a cyclohexadienone core that has not been previously reported. It thus represents a new skeletal type within the xanthenoid class. Acrotrione B (1: ) exhibited anti-proliferative activity against Hela (IC50 = 16.0 µM) and A549 (IC50 = 16.3 µM) cell lines. 5'-Prenylacrovestone (4: ) and acrovestone (5: ) were even more potent with IC50 values of 5.1 µM and 0.77 µM, respectively, against Hela cells and 11.8 µM and 1.13 µM, respectively, against A549 cells. Moreover, acrotrione B (1: ) displayed moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus subtilis, with MIC values in the range of 16 - 64 µg/mL. Finally, acropyrone (6: ) showed a significant suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced NO production in murine macrophage J774.A1 cells (IC50 = 8.9 µM).

Enhancement of growth and Cannabinoids content of hemp (Cannabis sativa) using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to promote growth and cannabinoid yield of Cannabis sativa KKU05. A completely randomized design (CRD) was conducted with six replications for 60 days. Two different species of AMF, Rhizophagus prolifer PC2-2 and R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 were selected as inocula and compared with two non-mycorrhizal controls, one without synthetic fertilizer and one with synthetic NPK fertilizer. The unfertilized non-mycorrhizal plants had the lowest performance, whereas plants inoculated with R. aggregatus BM-3 g3 performed best, both in terms of plant biomass and concentrations of CBD and THC. There were no significant differences in plant biomass and cannabinoid concentrations between non-mycorrhizal plants that received synthetic fertilizer and mycorrhizal plants with inoculum of R. prolifer PC2-2. Our data demonstrate the great potential for cannabis cultivation without risking deterioration of soil structure, such as soil hardening and increased acidity, which might be induced by long-term use of synthetic fertilizer.

Acroflavone A, a new prenylated flavone from the fruit of Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq.

Phytochemical investigation of the fruit of Acronychia pedunculata (L.) Miq. led to the isolation of a new prenylated flavone, acroflavone A (1), together with eight known compounds (2-9). Their structures were elucidated by thorough analysis of mass spectrometric and NMR spectroscopic data. The isolated compounds were evaluated against several bacterial strains. Three known compounds (3-5) demonstrated antibacterial activities. Among them, acrovestone (5) proved equally or more potent than chloramphenicol against three out of the four strains tested.

Scalarane Sesterterpenoids with Antibacterial and Anti-Proliferative Activities from the Mushroom Neonothopanus nambi.

Seven undescribed scalarane sesterterpenoids, nambiscalaranes B-H (1-7), together with two known compounds, nambiscalarane (8) and aurisin A (9) were isolated from the cultured mycelium of the luminescent mushroom Neonothopanus nambi. Their structures were elucidated by thorough analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and optical rotation measurements. The isolated sesterterpenoids were evaluated against A549, HT29, HeLa, and HCT-116 cancer cell lines, and against five bacterial strains. Compounds 3, 5, and 7 showed strong cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 13.41 to 16.53 µM, and showed no cytotoxicity towards Vero cells. Moreover, compound 8 inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis with a MIC value of 8 µg/mL, which was equivalent to the MIC value of the standard kanamycin.

Co-Inoculation of an Endophytic and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Improve Growth and Yield of Helianthus tuberosus L. under Field Condition.

Endophytic fungi (EPF) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbioses can promote the growth and productivity of several types of plants. This work aimed to investigate the effect of co-inoculation of an EPF Exserohilum rostratum NMS1.5 and an AMF Glomus etunicatum UDCN52867 g.5 on the growth and yields of sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) compared to the effects of full-dose and half-dose chemical fertilizer (15-15-15) under field conditions. Several plant growth parameters of the co-inoculated plants were significantly higher than the other treatments. Remarkably, such an effect was relatively equal to that of the full-dose chemical fertilizers. Moreover, the co-inoculation of EPF and AMF significantly improved the tuber yield production, even better than the use of a chemical fertilizer. This is the first report to show that plant growth promoting effects of the co-inoculation of EPF and AMF were exceptionally greater than those of the chemical fertilizer. Therefore, our EPF and AMF could potentially be used as a biofertilizer for promoting the growth and yield of sunchoke in the fields.