Fabrication of cumin loaded-chitosan particles: Characterized by molecular, morphological, thermal, antioxidant and anticancer properties as well as its utilization in food system.

The aim of this study was the fabrication of stable encapsulated cumin essential oil using ionic gelation method and its application in mayonnaise as a natural antioxidant. The obtained nanoparticles exhibited a positively charged surface with diameters ranging from 269 to 326 nm. In addition, results from encapsulation efficiency demonstrated that excess concentration of initial essential oil reduced the amount of entrapped essential oil. From the obtained observation, the optimal weight ratio of chitosan to cumin essential oil of 1:0.5 was selected. In vitro release study indicated an initial burst at all different pH, although the most release rate was related to acidic media (pH = 3). Furthermore, an improvement of thermal stability and antioxidant properties was observed. Regarding cytotoxicity results, loaded particles had a good biocompatibility, while there were slight prevention effects on breast and brain tumor at the highest concentration. Finally, the antioxidant properties of fabricated nanoparticles were investigated in mayonnaise. It significantly reduced peroxidase value (POV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values during storage period. Overall, our observations showed the encapsulated cumin essential oil could be used as natural antioxidant.

Xylopidimers A-E, Five New Guaiane Dimers with Various Carbon Skeletons from the Roots of Xylopia vielana.

Five new guaiane dimers, xylopidimers A-E (1-5), were isolated and identified from the roots of Xylopia vielana. The structures of 1-5 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. On the basis of the results of single-crystal X-ray analysis, 1-5 showed different carbon skeletons. Among these compounds, the unique connecting patterns of 1 and 2 caused significant differences on their carbon skeletons, which have not been reported. Moreover, 3-5 were also three new guaiane dimers. Among these compounds, 4 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide with an IC50 value of 4.59 µM in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide.

Xylopsides A-D, four rare guaiane dimers with two unique bridged pentacyclic skeletons from Xylopia vielana.

Four unprecedented guaiane dimers, xylopsides A-D (1-4), were isolated and identified from the roots of Xylopia vielana. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, Cu Kα X-ray crystallography and CD spectra. 1-4 showed two bridged pentacyclic skeletons between two guaiane-type sesquiterpenes, which were characterized as two different bridged ring systems. Among these compounds, 4 exhibited a moderate inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide with an IC50 value of 25.7 µM in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS.

Three new alkaloids from Xylopia vielana and their antiinflammatory activities.

Three new aporphine alkaloids, xylopialoids A-C (1-3), along with three known aporphine alkioids (4-6) and three other known compounds (7-9) were isolated from the roots of Xylopia vielana. Among these three new aporphine alkaloids, xylopialoid C (3) showed a special carbamido group directly connected to the nitrogen. The chemical structures of these nine compounds were determined by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, MS, CD spectrum and Cu Kα X-ray crystallographic analyses. All these six alkaloids were firstly tested for the inhibitory activities against the production of NO in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among these compounds, 4 showed a potential inhibitory activity against the production of nitric oxide with IC50 value of 1.39 µM.

Unusual metal complex of cadinane sesquiterpene alkaloid and new neolignan glycosides from Alangium alpinum.

One unusual metal complex of cadinane sesquiterpene alkaloid (1), one new cadinane sesquiterpene alkaloid (2) and two new neolignan glycosides (3-4) along with six known cadinane sesquiterpene derivatives (5-10), nineteen known phenolic glycosides (11-29) were isolated from the aerial parts of Alangium alpinum. Structures of new crystals of metal complex were characterized by X-Ray diffraction and ICP-AES analysis. Other new compounds were elucidated by combined use and detailed analysis of HR-ESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR and CD spectroscopic method. In addition, all isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory effects against TNF-α induced NF-κB activation in Hela cells and NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.