Polyketides with different post-modifications from desert endophytic fungus Paraphoma sp

Three new polyketides 4,6,8-trihydroxy-5-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1), 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3,4-dimethylisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (2) and 1-(4-hydroxy-6-methoxy-1,7-dimethyl-3-oxo-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-1-yl) ethyl acetate (3) together with seven known analogues (4-10) were isolated from desert endophytic fungus Paraphoma sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR data. The absolute configuration of (1-3) was established on the basis of CD experiments. The possible biosynthetic pathway of compounds (1-10) was suggested, which implied that these secondary metabolites might be originated from polyketide biosynthesis with different post-modification reactions. Compounds 2, and 5-8 were evaluated for bioactivities against plant pathogen A. solani, whereas none of them displayed any biological effects. In addition, compounds 1, 2 and 5-10 were also tested for cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines (HepG2 cells, MCF-7 cells and Hela cells) without biological effects.

[Clinical value of diffusion tensor imaging parameter value in evaluating the prognosis of spinal cord injury in acute cervical spinal cord injury]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical application value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter in evaluating the prognosis of spinal cord injury in acute cervical spinal cord injury. Method: From October 2012 to December 2015, a total of 23 patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury were examined by routine MRI-T₂WI high signal DTI examination, according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) damage standard. One month later according to the functional outcome of the spinal cord, all patients were divided into non improvement group (group A) 4 cases (2 cases of ASIA-A, 2 cases of grade B) and improvement group (group B) 19 cases (13 cases of ASIA-C, 5 cases of grade D, 1 case of grade B), 15 cases of healthy volunteers as the normal group (group C ). The FA value, ADC and axial eigen value[λ_∥=λ1], radial eigen value[λ_⊥=(λ2+ λ3)/2]of before and after the treatment in group A and group B were compared by paired t test respectively. Single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the differences of DTI among the group A, group B and group C, and LSD test was used to compare the differences among the groups.Before and after treatment, the DTI measurement area was consistent.Changes of nerve fiber bundles in group A and group B before and after treatment were displayed in DTT. Results: After the treatment , the FA value of group A decreased , ADC value and λ_⊥ value increased than that of before treatment(t=3.037, -4.183, -4.805, all P<0.05), λ_∥ value increased(t=-1.160, P>0.05). After the treatment , the FA value and ADC value of group B increased , λ_⊥ value decreased than that of before treatment(t=-3.344, -3.642, 4.694, all P<0.05), λ_∥ value increased(t=-0.596, P>0.05). After treatment, there were statistical differences in FA values, λ_⊥ value , ADC values and λ_∥ values among three groups (F=71.958, 70.432, 75.902, 22.521, all P<0.01). Conclusion: The changes of FA value, λ_⊥ value are the two most sensitive indicators of acute cervical spinal cord injury of spinal cord function prognosis.It suggests the poor prognosis of spinal cord function when FA value decreases and λ_⊥ value continues to increase.DTT can visually display subtle changes in the nerve fiber bundle.

A steroidal saponin from the seeds of Allium tuberosum

A steroidal saponin, named tuberoside, together with seven known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng. Its structure was established by spectroscopic data, hydrolysis, and comparison with spectral data of known compounds to be (2alpha, 3beta, 5alpha, 25S)-2,3,27-trihydroxyspirostane 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranoyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Sphingosine derivatives from the seeds of Allium tuberosum

A new ceramide, named tuber-ceramide (2), along with a known cerebroside (1) were isolated from the seeds of Allium tuberosum. The structure of tuber-ceramide was determined on the basis of spectral data as N-(2',3'-dihydroxy-tetracosenoyl)-2-amino-1,3,4-trihydroxy octadecane (2). This is the first report of sphingosine derivatives isolated from the genus Allium.

[Studies on the steroidal alkaloids from Sarcococca vagans]

The root of Sarcococca vagans Stapt (Buxaceae) is well-known Chinese folk drug called as "Jie Gu Mu", distributed in southern of China. They are used in treatment of traumatic injury. Four new steroidal alkaloids, named sarcovagine A, B, C and D, were isolated from the root of Sarcococca vagans. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral evidence.