Two new species of Polyalthiopsis (Annonaceae) based on morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence, with a supplementary description of P. chinensis from China

Two new species of Polyalthiopsis (Annonaceae), P. nigra Y.H. Tan & Bin Yang from Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces and P. xui Y.H. Tan & Bin Yang from Yunnan Province, are described and illustrated. P. nigra is morphologically similar to P. chinensis in having narrowly elliptic-oblong, lemon to yellowish green petals, but differs by having obovoid monocarps, a higher number of leaf secondary veins, leaf blades usually widest above the middle, and a lower ratio of leaf blade length to width. P. xui is morphologically similar to P. floribunda in having axillary inflorescences, 1-3(-4) flowers, elliptic leaves, and elliptic-ovate petals, but differs in the numbers of carpels per flower and ovules per carpel. The molecular phylogenetic analysis using five plastid markers confirm that the two new species belong to the genus Polyalthiopsis and show clear interspecific divergences between P. nigra and P. xui and between them and other species in the genus. Detailed descriptions, colored photographs, and habitat and distribution data for the two new species are provided. In addition, the fruit morphology of P. chinensis is described for the first time, based on living collections. Geographical distributions and a diagnostic key for all Polyalthiopsis species are also presented.

Alpinia hainanensis Rhizome Extract Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis: Active Ingredient Investigation and Evaluation

Alpinia hainanensis is an important food spice and ethnic medicine in Southwest China. In this study, we found that the EtOAc-soluble fraction (AHE) of the A. hainanensis rhizome ethanol extract could ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). To explore active constituents, five pairs of previously unreported enantiomers (1-5), together with nine known ones (6-14), were obtained. Structural characterization was achieved by comprehensive spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were new curcumin-butyrovanillone hybrids featuring a rare structural fragment of 2,3-dihyrofuran. The anti-inflammatory activities of isolates were evaluated, and the results indicated that compounds (-)-1, (-)-3, 6, 9, 11, and 12 significantly inhibited the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. These findings indicate the major active fraction of the A. hainanensis rhizome ethanol extract enriched with diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and their hybrid mixtures, which could be developed as a nutritional and dietary supplement for treating UC.

Structurally diverse limonoids and bio-active evaluation from Trichilia connaroides

Four new limonoids, named as trichiconlide G (1), 2-hydroxyltrijugin F (2), 23-oxo-21-hydroxyltrijugin F (3), 21-oxo-23-hydroxyltrijugin F (4), along with sixteen known analogues (5-20) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia connaroides. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, and TD-DFT-ECD calculations. Trichiconlide G (1) is one rare naturally occurring 1,2-seco phragmalin-type limonoid bearing a C-7/28 δ-lactone ring. Additionally, 2-hydroxyltrijugin F (2), 23-oxo-21-hydroxyltrijugin F (3), and 21-oxo-23-hydroxyltrijugin F (4) are three naturally occurring limonoids with a rare C-16/8 δ-lactone ring. All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. None of compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines A-549, HepG2, 5-8F, Siha, and SCC-4 at the concentration of 40 μM. Compounds 16 and 17 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with IC₅₀ values of 28.45 ± 2.51 and 22.66 ± 2.01 μM, respectively.

Meiogyne oligocarpa (Annonaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China

Meiogyne oligocarpa sp. nov. (Annonaceae) is described from Yunnan Province in Southwest China. It is easily distinguished from all previously described Meiogyne species by the possession of up to four carpels per flower, its bilobed, sparsely hairy stigma, biseriate ovules and cylindrical monocarps with a beaked apex. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to confirm the placement of this new species within Meiogyne. Meiogyne oligocarpa represents the second species of Meiogyne in China: a key to the species of Meiogyne in China is provided to distinguish it from Meiogyne hainanensis. Paraffin sectioning was undertaken to study the anatomy of the corrugations on the inner petals of Meiogyne oligocarpa to verify whether they are glandular.

Structurally diverse steroids with nitric oxide inhibitory activities from Aglaia lawii leaves

Eleven previously uncharacterized steroids, along with three analogs were isolated from Aglaia lawii leaves. Their structures were definitely characterized by the methods of NMR, MS, IR, ECD and X-ray crystallography study. Among these unreported compounds, 3-epi-dyscusin C, 3-epi-lansisterone E and (Z)-2α-hydroxyaglawone were C-21 pregnane steroids incorporating a highly oxygenated ring A, while others were Δ⁵-3β-hydroxy-7-ketosteroids bearing different ring D and C-17 aliphatic chains. All isolates were evaluated for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities. 3-Epi-dyscusin C, 3-epi-lansisterone E, (Z)-2α-hydroxyaglawone and 17(20)E-dyscusin B showed significant anti-inflammatory activities with IC₅₀ values of NO inhibition less than 10 μM (in the range from 4.47 ± 0.36 to 7.67 ± 0.46 μM).

Mexicanolide-type limonoids from the twigs and leaves of Cipadessa baccifera

Twelve previously undescribed mexicanolide-type limonoids, including two pairs of isomers, together with seven known analogues were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Cipadessa baccifera. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Structural variations mainly occurred at the attachment of C-3 and the carbon residues linked to C-17. 21-deoxo-23-oxofebrifugin A and 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyryl-21-deoxo-23-oxofebrifugin A are two rare naturally occurring mexicanolide-type limonoids bearing an α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone motif at C-17. Moreover, cipaferen R is the first degraded tetranortriterpenoid derivative featuring an unique acetyl group at C-17. Some isolated compounds were evaluated for nematicidal, antifungal, cytotoxic (against five human cancer cell lines), and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. No nematicidal and antifungal activities were observed, yet 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyrylfebrifugin A, febrifugin A, febrifugin, and khaysin T exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against the tested cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 18.56 ± 0.27 to 38.00 ± 0.85 μM, and 3-O-detigloyl-3-O-isobutyrylfebrifugin A, granatumin E, khaysin T, and 2'S-cipadesin A showed moderate inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at 50 μM.

Two new steroids with NO inhibitory effects from lansium domesticum

Chemical investigation of Lansium domesticum has led to the isolation of two undescribed compounds, namely 17(20)E-dyscusin B (1) and 17(20)Z-dyscusin B (2), as well as three known ones (3 - 5). Structural elucidation was accomplished by the analysis of NMR, MS and IR data. Compounds 1 and 2 were a pair of Δ¹⁷⁽²⁰⁾ geometric isomers of pregnane steroids and showed the significant nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activities.

Cytotoxic limonoids from Trichilia americana leaves

Ten cedrelone limonoids were isolated from the leaves of Trichilia americana. These compounds include americanolides A-D (1-4), 1,2-dihydrodeacetylhirtin (5), 1α-hydroxy-1,2-dihydrodeacetylhirtin (6), 1α-hydroxy-1,2-dihydrohirtin (7), 1α-methoxy-1,2-dihydrodeacetylhirtin (8), 11β-hydroxy-12α-propanoyloxycedrelone (9), and 1α,11β-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydrocedrelone (10), as well as two previously reported compounds, deacetylhirtin (11) and hirtin (12). Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic studies, and the assignment of the absolute configuration of americanolide A (1) was supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds were also evaluated against five human tumour cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW-480) using an MTS assay. Compounds 11 and 12 showed significant cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 μM, and compounds 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 exhibited potent or selective cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 1.0 to 39.6 μM.

Relative importance of seed drying rate, desiccation tolerance, and cryotolerance for the conservation of Ardisia elliptica, A. brunnescens and A. virens

BACKGROUND

The pan-tropical genus Ardisia has more than 400 species and is of high horticultural and medicinal value. Due to overexploitation it is important to conserve the germplasm of this genus.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and methods of cryopreservation for long-term seed storage of three Ardisia species: A. elliptica Thunb., A. brunnescens Walker, and A. virens Kurz.

METHODS

We tested whether rapid desiccation can increase desiccation tolerance and cryotolerance, and whether the thawing rate can affect cryopreservation success. Seeds were subjected to three desiccation treatments: 1) activated silica gel at 25 +/- 2 degree C, and 4% relative humidity (RH); 2) saturated NaCl solution in closed jars in 25 +/- 2 degree C and 75% RH; and 3) air-drying at room conditions at 27 +/- 2 degree C and RH 60% for different desiccation durations (12h, 24h, 48h, 96h, and 196h). Seeds were then assessed for desiccation tolerance and cryotolerance after rapid thawing (direct immersion in 36 degree C water bath for 2 min) or slow thawing (at 27°C for 1 h).

RESULTS

For all three species, desiccation method and duration significantly affected cryotolerance (P < 0.0001). Fast desiccation did not improve germination compared to slower desiccation (P < 0.01). Whereas A. elliptica germination was unaffected by desiccation duration, drying time significantly (P < 0.0001) affected germination percentage in the other two species especially after 48h. Although slow thawing improved cryotolerance of A. brunnescens seeds (P < 0.05), there was no significant effect of thawing rate on A. elliptica. A. virens seed did not survive cryopreservation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryopreservation protocols of Ardisia species may be species-specific and should be established for each species in the genus so that cryopreservation can be used as a successful conservation strategy.

Efficient synthesis of natural polyphenolic stilbenes: resveratrol, piceatannol and oxyresveratrol

The practical synthesis of important natural polyphenolic stilbenes, including resveratrol, piceatannol and oxyresveratrol, through Perkin methodology is described. Starting from 3,5-dihydoxyacetophenone (1), the common intermediate 3,5-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (3) can be obtained via methylation and Willgerodt-Kindler reaction. Perkin condensations between (3) and substituted phenylaldehydes 4 furnished E-2,3-diarylacrylic acids 5, followed by decarboxylation in Cu/quinoline giving stilbene intermediates 6 which bear the Z-configuration. Finally, through a simultaneous demethylation/isomerization process in AlI₃/CH₃CN system, the target compounds 7a-c can be obtained respectively in good to high overall yields. The synthetic method proved to be more concise, trans-specific, mild, economical and commonly applicable.

Synthesis of Combretastatin A-4 and Erianin

A concise route to two anti-tubulin natural products combretastatin A-4 and erianin has been developed. Combretastatin A-4 was obtained by a Perkin reaction between 3-bromo-4-methoxyphenyl acetic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, hydroxyl transformation, decarboxylation with a high level of cis-selectivity ( cis/trans = 95/5), and erianin was obtained by subsequent hydrogenation. The overall yields of combretastatin A-4 and erianin were 37.5 and 30.8%, respectively.

[Author analysis of papers published in "Space Medicine & Medical Engineering" from 1988 to 1998]

Objective. To probe into the characteristics of authors, institutes and region distribution of papers published in "Space Medicine & Medical Engineering" (SMME), as well as its papers indexed and cited by CBMDisc, CB-ISITC and CSCD-CD98; to look into its core authors, core regions and core institutes. Method. Bibliometric method was used to analyse its published papers, cited papers and indexed papers. Result. 716 papers have been published in SMME, among which 622 were coauthor papers (86.9%); 94 were single author papers (13.1%); organization collaboration papers 109 (15.2%); institutes 548 (76.5%); colleges and Universities 132 (18.4%); hospitals 36 (5.1%). CBMDisc and CB-ISTIC index rate were 81% and 75% of its papers respectively, SMME's 39 papers were cited in 25 journals via CSCD-CD98, 10 of 42 core authors are cited. Conclusion. Papers published in SMME per issue have been increasing in 10 years, core region is Beijing. Core authors have been formed in SMME. Papers indexed by CBMDisc and CB-ISTIC are also increasing. But its citation status is not ideal, and high cited papers and high cited authors are few. Numbers and types of Natural Scientific Foundation supported papers are increasing.

Sputum induction to improve the diagnostic yield in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of sputum induction in the large-scale tuberculosis control program.

METHODS

Prospective study on sputum induction for improving the diagnostic yield of pulmonary tuberculosis, and estimation of the direct costs for sputum induction.

RESULTS

Of 1,648 tuberculosis suspects with poor or absent sputum production, induced sputum was smear-positive in 558 patients (353 previously smear-negative, 97 inadequate sputum and 108 unproductive). The direct cost per induced sputum was US $0.37.

CONCLUSION

Sputum induction is an effective, low-cost, and simple technique for improving the smear-positive case detection rate in a tuberculosis control program.