Polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives from the fruits of Garcinia cambogia and their absolute configuration by quantum chemical circular dichroism calculations

Three new tetracyclic polyisoprenylated xanthones, named oxy-guttiferones M, K2, and I, along with oxy-guttiferone K and guttiferone M, have been isolated from the fruits of Garcinia cambogia. Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR spectroscopic experiments. The absolute configurations of oxy-guttiferone K, taken as a model of tetracyclic xanthones, and guttiferone M, as a model of polyisoprenylated benzophenones, have been determined by comparison of their experimentally measured circular dichroism (CD) curves with the TDDFT-predicted curves.     

Development of a Biosensor for Copper Detection in Aqueous Solutions Using an Anemonia sulcata Recombinant GFP

Fluorescent proteins from marine organisms represent potential candidates for biosensor development. In this paper, we described the isolation of a native green fluorescent protein from Anemonia sulcata and the cloning and purification of its equivalent as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the spectroscopic behaviours of the native and recombinant GFPs were investigated as a function of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺ concentration. Our results suggest the high selectivity of both proteins at copper than the other metals and, for the recombinant protein, a great sensitivity at a very low concentration (0.1–1 μM). Moreover, starting from these data, using the combination of molecular biology techniques and optical setup, we developed a device for the detection of Cu²⁺ in water solutions. The quenching effect detected with the device showed that the relative attenuation of the signal (0.46?±?0.02 AU) was slightly larger than the data measured by fluorescence spectra (0.65?±?0.03 AU). The good sensitivity in the span of two orders of the magnitude of Cu²⁺ concentration, the fact that the instrument is made up of low-cost and sturdy parts and the selective quenching of rAsGFP to copper ions make this setup suited as a low cost, on-the-field, copper ion-specific biosensor.     

Sesquiterpene lactones from Centaurea rhizantha C.A. Meyer

Two new sesquiterpene lactones, rhizantholide A (1) and rhizantholide B (2), together with five known compounds (3-7) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Centaurea rhizantha (Asteraceae). Sesquiterpene lactones belong to guaianolide class, and rhizantholide B is a rare guaianolide characterized by a free primary alcoholic function at C-10 along with a 3β,10β-epoxy function. Their structures have been established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as HR-ESIMS. The antimicrobial activity of compounds 1-7 has been evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Only deacylcynaropicrin 8-O-[3′-hydroxy-2′-methylpropionate] (5) showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC/MBC value of 500 μg/mL. All isolated compounds have been also evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against cancer cells. Among them, compound 5 showed the highest cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values in the range 5.02–16.76 μg/mL.     

Inhibition of Interleukin-6-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression and Invasive Ability of Lemon Peel Polyphenol Extract in Human Primary Colon Cancer Cells

Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9/2 are key enzymes involved in the proteolysis of extracellular matrices in the inflammatory process and in cancer. Since MMP-9/2 expression levels, activity, and secretion is up-regulated during inflammation in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), many efforts have been devoted to identifying factors that could inhibit the IL-6-induced MMP-9/2 expression. Up to now, several reports indicated that polyphenols from fruits and vegetables are among the major components of health promotion for their antioxidant properties and also for their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. Among plant derived polyphenols, lemon (Citrus limon) peel extract (LPE) shows anti-cancer properties in various cancer types. In our previous work, we demonstrated that LPE can reduce IL-6-induced migration/invasiveness and MMP-9/2 up-regulation in some gastric cancer cell lines. This study aims to exploit the anti-cancer properties of LPE using an in vitro system model of inflammation, consisting of IL-6-exposed human primary colon cancer cells. We first analyzed the effect of LPE on IL-6-induced cell migration and invasiveness by wound healing and Boyden chamber assay, respectively. The MMP-2 mRNA expression levels and gelatinolytic activity in the cell culture media were determined by q-PCR analysis and gelatin zymography, respectively, and finally, the effects of LPE on IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways have been investigated by Western blotting analysis. Our results show that LPE is able to inhibit the IL-6-dependent cell migration and invasiveness associated with the up-regulation of MMP-2 expression levels and that these effects are correlated to the STAT3 phosphorylation in human primary T88 and T93 colon cancer cells.     

Monoterpenoid glucoindole alkaloids and iridoids from Pterocephalus pinardii

A new secondary metabolite, pterocephaline, along with the known cantleyoside, 7α‐morroniside, 3β,5α‐tetrahydrodesoxycordifoline lactam, 5S‐5‐carboxyvincoside, sweroside, and loganin have been isolated from the aerial parts of P. pinardii (Dipsacaceae). Moreover, cantleyoside‐methyl‐hemiacetal and cantleyoside‐dimethyl‐acetal were obtained as seco‐iridoid artifacts. The structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D‐(¹H, ¹³C and TOCSY) and 2D‐NMR (DQF‐COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Monoterpenoid glucoindole alkaloids were encountered for the first time in Dipsacaceae family. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion beam crystallization

After the successful exploitation of electron cooling in several heavy ion storage rings the possibility of generating crystalline ion beams gained the interest of particle accelerator physicists. New cooling methods, such as laser cooling, give further opportunity to reach ultra cold system of particles necessary for the state transition to the crystalline configuration. Crystalline beams will give insight into a completely new research field, reaching higher standards in precision measurements and techniques. The applicative potentialities of crystalline beams justify a careful investigation on this subject. The conceptual design of a low-energy heavy-ion storage ring, called CRYSTAL, proposed for the experimental demonstration of crystalline beams at Legnaro LNL is presented. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenolic constituents of Knautia arvensis aerial parts

A new C-6 flavone glycoside (6), together with seven known compounds, cryptochlorogenic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), 2-O-trans-caffeoylhydrocitric acid (3), isovitexin 7-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), 7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (7) and 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Knautia arvensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D- (1H, 13C and TOCSY) and 2D-NMR (DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC) experiments, as well as ESIMS analysis. Compounds 1, 3-5 and 8 are reported for the first time in Knautia arvensis.     

Pouteria lucuma Pulp and Skin: In Depth Chemical Profile and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity

Pouteria lucuma Ruiz and Pav., known as the ‘Gold of the Incas’ or ‘lucuma’, is a subtropical fruit belonging to the Sapotaceae family, with a very sweet flavor, used to prepare cakes, ice creams as well as in the baking and dairy industries. To date, the content of primary metabolites is known, but little information is reported about the composition in specialized metabolites. Moreover, no study is reported on skin which represent an important agricultural waste due to the high demand for lucuma. In order to have a preliminary metabolite profile of Pouteria lucuma, the extracts of pulp and skin have been analyzed by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS/MS in negative ion mode. The careful analysis of the accurate masses, of the molecular formulas and of the ESI/MS spectra allowed to identify specialized metabolites belonging to phenolic, flavonoid and polar lipid classes. The LC-MS/MS analysis guided the isolation of compounds occurring in the pulp extract whose structures have been characterized by spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments and ESI-MS analysis. Furthermore, the phenolic content of the extracts along with the antioxidant activity of extracts and isolated compounds was evaluated.     

Highly Polar Triterpenoid Saponins from the Roots of Saponaria officinalis L.

Five new triterpenoid saponins, including 3‐O‐β‐d ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐(4‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐quinovopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐fucopyranoside ( 1 ), 3‐O‐β‐d ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐(4‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐quinovopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐fucopyranoside ( 2 ), 3‐O‐β‐d ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐(4‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐quinovopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐fucopyranoside ( 3 ), 3‐O‐β‐d ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[(4‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐quinovopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐fucopyranoside ( 4 ), 3‐O‐β‐d ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28‐O‐(6‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐[β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[(4‐O‐acetyl)‐β‐d ‐quinovopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐β‐d ‐fucopyranoside ( 5 ) together with two known congeners, saponariosides A ( 6 ) and B ( 7 ) were isolated from the roots of Saponaria officinalis L. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D‐NMR (DQF‐COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC) experiments, HR‐ESI‐MS, and acid hydrolysis.