Anti-Lymphangiogenic Terpenoids from the Heartwood of Taiwan Juniper, Juniperus chinensis var. tsukusiensis

To look in-depth into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Taiwan juniper, this study investigated the chemical profiles and anti-lymphangiogenic activity of Juniperus chinensis var. tsukusiensis. In this study, four new sesquiterpenes, 12-acetoxywiddrol (1), cedrol-13-al (2), α-corocalen-15-oic acid (3), 1,3,5-bisaoltrien-10-hydroperoxy-11-ol (4), one new diterpene, 1β,2β-epoxy-9α-hydroxy-8(14),11-totaradiene-3,13-dione (5), and thirty-three known terpenoids were successfully isolated from the heartwood of J. chinensis var. tsukusiensis. The structures of all isolates were determined through the analysis of physical data (including appearance, UV, IR, and optical rotation) and spectroscopic data (including 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). Thirty-four compounds were evaluated for their anti-lymphangiogenic effects in human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Among them, totarolone (6) displayed the most potent anti-lymphangiogenic activity by suppressing cell growth (IC50 = 6 ± 1 µM) of LECs. Moreover, 3β-hydroxytotarol (7), 7-oxototarol (8), and 1-oxo-3β-hydroxytotarol (9) showed moderate growth-inhibitory effects on LECs with IC50 values of 29 ± 1, 28 ± 1, and 45 ± 2 µM, respectively. Totarolone (6) also induced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of LEC tube formation (IC50 = 9.3 ± 2.5 µM) without cytotoxicity. The structure-activity relationship discussion of aromatic totarane-type diterpenes against lymphangiogenesis of LECs is also included in this study. Altogether, our findings unveiled the promising potential of J. chinensis var. tsukusiensis in developing therapeutics targeting tumor lymphangiogenesis.

Calocedimers A, B, C, and D from the bark of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana

Calocedimers A, B, C, and D, together with four known compounds, platydiol, alpha-cadinol, ferrugiol, and 6,7-dehydroferrugiol, were isolated from the bark of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana. Calocedimers A, B, C, and D are the dimers of abietane-O-camphane, abietane-O-cadinane, abietane-O-abietane, and abietane-O-abietane, respectively. Their structures were elucidated from spectroscopic data.

Two outbreaks of acute Tung Nut (Aleurites fordii) poisoning

OBJECTIVE

Aleurites fordii, widely distributed in the Southeastern US, Taiwan, mainland China, Japan and India, is commonly known as Tung Nut, Tung Oil Tree or Chinawood Oil Tree. The seeds are the most toxic part.

CASE REPORTS

We report two outbreaks of Aleurites fordii poisoning, occurring on November 27, 1992 and November 29, 1994. Thirty-five elementary school students and 29 senior high school students misidentified Aleurites fordii seeds as chestnuts and ingested variable amounts.

METHODS

We conducted a survey by questionnaire to supplement the hospital record information. Simple descriptive statistics and Chi-square (Fisher's exact) tests were calculated.

RESULTS

The three most common symptoms of the patients were vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The more serious clinical presentations occurred in younger victims. Our information suggests that food attenuates intestinal irritation perhaps by delaying absorption of the toxic principle. With symptomatic treatment, all of the symptoms and signs subsided within one to two days.

CONCLUSIONS

Aleurites fordii can be cultivated and is easily accessible to the community and schools. Public education about the toxicity of Tung Nut seeds in areas of ready availability may reduce the chance of misidentification and subsequent poisoning.