COX-1, COX-2 inhibitors and antifungal agents from Croton hutchinsonianus

Two new compounds, 3'-(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-propyl benzoate (1) and 3'-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-propyl benzoate (3) together with known compounds, 3'-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-propyl benzoate (2), poilaneic acid (4), farnesyl acetone (5) and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (6) were isolated and identified from the branches of Croton hutchinsonianus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The three phenylpropyl benzoates (1-3) were found to exhibit antifungal activity against Candida albicans (IC(50) 5.36-11.41 microg/ml). Compounds 1-2 (IC(50) 2.11-4.95 microg/ml) exhibited potent but non-selective activity against the enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) whereas 3 (IC(50) 1.88 microg/ml) preferentially inhibited the enzyme COX-2.     

Ultrastructure of the ommatrichia in Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae)

Using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the ommatrichia, or hair-like processes that are located between the facets of the compound eye, were examined on an adult male Megaselia scalaris (Loew) fly. Each ommatrichium was observed to be a tapering structure bearing a longitudinally grooved cuticle and are anchored tightly in flexible sockets. Ultrathin sectioning and TEM revealed a thick wall in the ommatrichia, and their function was proposed to be mechanoreception based on characteristics from both SEM and TEM observations.     

Flavonol 3-O-robinobiosides and 3-O-(2″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-robinobiosides from Sesuvium portulacastrum

Six new flavonol 3-O-robinobiosides and 3-O-(2″-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-robinobiosides, sesuviosides A-F, were isolated from the aerial portion of Sesuvium portulacastrum together with ecdysterone, adenosine, 2′-O-methyladenosine, and l-tryptophan. The structure elucidations were based on analyses of chemical and spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D-NMR. Sesuviosides A-F and their aglycones exhibited radical scavenging activity using DPPH and ORAC assays.