Influences of pressure on structural and electronic properties of four types of HMX.

The crystal and electronic structures of four polymorphs of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) from 0 to 30 GPa were investigated by using density functional theory. The obtained structural parameters based on the GGA-PBE+TS calculations are in agreement with experimental results at ambient pressure. As the pressure increases, the volumes of the four types of HMX decrease monotonically and the band gaps gradually decrease without any significant discontinuity. Moreover, the peaks of the density of states become lower and the bandwidths become broader, which indicate that the hybridizations become strong under pressure. From the results, we suggest that the impact sensitivity for HMX becomes more and more sensitive with increasing pressure.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities and toxicology of phenylethanoid glycosides from Monochasma savatieri Franch. ex Maxim.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Monochasma savatieri Franch. ex Maxim is used for treating many diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to evaluate antibacterial, anti-inflammatory activities and toxicity of the total phenylethanoid glycosides from Monochasma savatieri Franch. ex Maxim (TPG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial activity of TPG was checked by MIC and MBC in vitro; survival of mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced sepsis was investigated to evaluate antibacterial activity of TPG in vivo. Additionally, antibacterial activities of TPG were also investigated in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection-induced pneumonia in the mice model. Cotton pellet induced granuloma and xylene induced ear swelling in mice models were used to quantify the anti-inflammatory activity. RESULTS: TPG showed a significant possess bacteriostatic properties against five bacteria strains at a concentration between 0.0625 and 16 mg/ml. Moreover, TPG has bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Escherichia coli. TPG (60, 120, and 180 mg/kg) prolonged survival rate of mice with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection-induced sepsis. In addition, TPG (180 mg/kg) could reduce the bacterial colony-forming units in lung tissue. Furthermore, TPG (60-180 mg/kg) had significantly reduced xylene-induced ear edema and granulomat formation induced by cotton pellet at a dose-dependent manner. In addition, administration of TPG (1.5 g/kg) for 15 days did not result in toxicities in liver, kidney, spleen and thymus tissue in rats. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that TPG might be useful for the development of a novel treatment for respiratory infections or pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus.

Phenylethanoid glycosides from Monochasma savatieri and their anticomplement activity through the classical pathway.

Five new phenylethanoid glycosides, savasides A-E (1-5), along with 6 known ones were isolated from the whole plant of Monochasma savatieri Franch. The structures of 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Moreover, all isolated compounds were evaluated for anticomplement activity through the classical pathway.