Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Two Endemic Species from Turkey: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis cilicica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis bilgerana</Emphasis>

Aerial parts of Sideritis cilicica Boiss. & Bal. and Sideritis bilgerana P.H. Davis (Lamiaceae) were hydrodistilled to obtain essential oils that were then analyzed by GC and GC/MS. β-Pinene (39%), α-pinene (28%), and β-phellandrene (20%) were the main components in the oil of S. cilicica, while β-pinene (48%), and α-pinene (32%) were the major constituents in the oil of S. bilgerana. The antimicrobial activities of the oils were evaluated by using the microdilution broth method. Both of the oils showed good inhibitory effects on C. albicans. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 559–561, November–December, 2005.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium elegans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium caroides</Emphasis>

Analyses of the essential oils of Bunium elegans (Fenzl) Freyn and B. caroides (Boiss.) Hausskn. ex Bornm., using GC, GC/MS, and¹³ C-NMR spectroscopy resulted in identification of their chemical constituents. The oils of both species contain mainly the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons germacrene-D and E-caryophyllene, which amounted to 24.1% and 38% for B. elegans and 22.1% and 26.6% for B. caroides respectively. The oil of B. caroides contained the monoterpenes α-pinene and Z-β-ocimene in 4.1 and 5.9% respectively, while traces of monoterpenes were detected for B. elegans. On the other hand, in B. caroides the phenylpropanoid derivatives asaricin (7.5%) and dillapiole (10.2%) were among the major constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 335–336, July–August, 2005.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodiola quadrifida</Emphasis> from Xinjiang,China

The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled oil of Rhodiola quadrifida (Pall.) Fisch. et Mey. growing wild in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty-three constituents were identified. The major components of the oil were hexadecanoic acid (45.39%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (33.38%), 9-hexadecenoic acid (3.08%), myristic acid (1.95%), a-terpineol (1.74%), and octadecanoic acid (1.07%). __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 337–338, July–August, 2005.     

Chemical Constituents of the Essential Oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta oxyodonta</Emphasis>

Water-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Nepeta oxyodonta Boiss. was analyzed by GC/MS for the first time. Fifty-eight components were identified. The major components were (E)-caryophyllene (12.6%), spathulenol (8.5%), β-bourbonene (8.1%), germacrene-D (7.4%), α-cadinol (7.3%), germacrene-D-4-ol (6.8%), T-cadinol (5.6%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.3%).__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 141–142, March–April, 2005.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferula gummosa</Emphasis> Fruits: An Aromatic Antimicrobial Agent

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Apiaceae) fruit volatile oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Seventy-three components (96.89%) were identified, and the major components were β-pinene (43.78%), α-pinene (27.27%), and myrcene (3.37%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested on three strains of Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, and Bacillus subtilis), three strains of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two strains of fungi (Candida albicans and C. kefyr). The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of the tested microorganisms. The results indicate that the fruits have potential for use as an aromatic antimicrobial agent.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 252–254, May–June, 2005.     

The chemical composition of fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia atlantica</Emphasis> desf. subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">atlantica</Emphasis> from Algeria

The chemical composition of the fruits of the north algerian ecotype Pistacia atlantica subsp. atlantica was determined and compared to other fruits of different species in the genus growing in south Algeria and other Mediterranean regions. These fruits were analyzed for their dry matter, protein, crude oil, ash, fatty acids, and phytosterol content. The main fatty acids identified by gas chromatography were oleic (54.15%), linoleic (28.84%), and palmitic (12.21%) acids. The fruits of the north ecotype were found to be rich in protein, oil, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that they may be valuable for food uses. The sterols isolated were campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and Δ⁵-avenasterol with β-sitosterol as the major constituent (85%±0.85). The biochemical data indicated an elevated MUFA rate (∼56%) in pistacia oil which may be important against certain pathologies for its nutritional and preventive virtues. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 103–105, March–April, 2007.     

Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carlina acanthifolia</Emphasis> Root Essential Oil

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) contained 1.0% of essential oil (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). Using GC and GC/MS, nine components were identified (100% of total oil). The structure of benzyl 2-furylacetylene (carlina oxide), which is the principal component of the oil (91.5%), was spectrometrically identified. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 331–332, July–August, 2005.     

Chemical Compositions of the Essential Oils of Stems,Leaves, and Roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prangos latiloba</Emphasis>

Hydrodistilled volatile oils from crushed dry stems, leaves, and roots of Prangos latiloba Korov. (Umbelliferae) growing wild in Sabzevar (Iran) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Eight compounds constituting 84.72% of stem oil, twelve compounds constituting 95.39% of leaf oil, and nine compounds constituting 88.73% of root oil have been identified. The main components of stem oil were γ-cadinene (30.39%), α-pinene (25.47%), and sabinene (12.55%). The main components of leaf oil were germacrene D (27.79%), α-pinene (17.81%), β-caryophyllene (12.75%), and β-pinene (11.23%). The main components of root oil were spathulenol (29.5%), 1,8-cineol (19.42%), p-cymene (17.03%), and α-bisabolol (15.33%). __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 443–444, September–October, 2005.     

Fatty Acid Compositions of Seed Oils of Three Turkish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia</Emphasis> Species and Biological Activities

The fatty acid composition of seed extracts of Salvia bracteata, S. aethiopis, and S. candidissima ssp. candidissima were analyzed by GC/MS. The main compound of S. bracteata, S. aethiopis, and S. candidissima ssp. candissima was found to be 9,12-octadecenoic acid at 64.3%, 73.4%, and 20.8%, respectively. The seed extracts of S. bracteata showed activity against S. aureus E. coli, M. smegmatis, and C. albicans with MIC values of 1.1, 0.5, 1.1, and 1.1 mg/mL, respectively, while the seeds extract of S. aethiopis showed activity against the same microorganisms with MIC values of 2.2, 2.2, 1.1, and 1.1 mg/mL, respectively. However, the seed extract of S. candidissima ssp. candidissima showed activity only against M. smegmatis with a MIC value of 0.25 mg/mL.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 223–225, No. 3, May–June 2005.     

Aryltetralin Lignans from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linum mucronatum</Emphasis> Bertol. ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">mucronatum</Emphasis>

The dried and aerial part of Linum mucronatum ssp. mucronatum was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two aryltetralin lignans, podophylloyoxin, 6-methoxypodophylloyoxin, and β-peltatin, were identified. This is the first report of the analysis of L. mucronatum ssp. mucronatum.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 24–25, January–February, 2005.     

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helichrysum italicum</Emphasis> Essential Oil and Its Terpene and Terpenoid Fractions

The essential oil of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don from Croatia has been fractionated into terpene and terpenoid fractions and analyzed using GC/MS. Fifty-two compounds were identified. The main hydrocarbons of the oil were α-pinene (10.2%), α-cedrene (9.6%) aromadendrene (4.4%), β-caryophyllene (4.2%), and limonene (3.8%), while the main oxygen-containing compounds were neryl acetate (11.5%), 2-methylcyclohexyl pentanoate (8.3%), 2-methylcyclohexyl octanoate (4.8%), and geranyl acetate (4.7%). The essential oil and its terpene and terpenoid fractions were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The screening of antimicrobial activity was conducted by a disc diffusion test and the minimum inhibitory concentration was determined against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The essential oil and its terpenoid fraction exhibited higher antimicrobial activity with respect to the terpene fraction. The antimicrobial activities of the oil and its terpenoid fraction were more pronounced against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 29–32, January–February, 2005.     

Synthesis of isomeric 2-oxazolidinones from (1<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-and (1<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediols

A synthesis is reported for (4R,5R)-and (4S,5S)-4-hydroxymethyl-5-(4-nitrophenyl)oxazolidin-2-ones and (1′R,4R)-and (1′S,4S)-4-[hydroxy(4-nitrophenyl)methyl]oxazolidin-2-ones from (1R,2R)-and (1S,2S)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediols. The effect of the experimental conditions on the formation of these compounds was studied. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 10, pp. 1562–1570, October, 2007.     

Essential Oil Composition of Four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achillea</Emphasis> Species from the Balkans and Its Chemotaxonomic Significance

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Achillea clavennae L., Achillea holosericea Sibth. & Sm., Achillea lingulata W. & K., and Achillea millefolium L. from the Balkans was determined by GC and GC/MS analyses. The main components were 1,8-cineole in A. holosericea, camphor in A. clavennae, β-pinene in A. millefolium, and τ-cadinol in A. lingulata. A detailed chemotaxonomic discussion is presented. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 555–558, November–December, 2005.     

Essential oil composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Santolina etrusca</Emphasis> from Italy

The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Santolina etrusca Marchi & D’Amato from Italy was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-nine compounds of oil were identified representing 97.1% of the oil. The most abundant compounds were viridiflorol (17.9%), terpinen-4-ol (14.4%), myrcene (11.8%), β-pinene (9.9%), and cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (9.9%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the GC/MS determination of the essential oil composition of S. etrusca. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 38–39, January–February, 2007.     

Synthesis of 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,7<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-tridecadien-1-ylacetate,a component of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phthorimaea opercucella</Emphasis> sex pheromone

A new synthetic approach to 4E,7Z-tridecadien-1-ylacetate, a component of the Phthorimaea opercucella (Zeller) potato moth sex pheromone, was developed using a highly stereoselective Claisen rearrangement and Wittig reaction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 235–236, May–June, 2007.     

Synthesis of 2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis> Stereomeric Emetamines <Emphasis Type="Italic">via Reissert</Emphasis> Compounds

Summary. Alkylation of Reissert compounds with certain benzoquinolizinone derivatives followed by hydrolytic cleavage afforded the core of the title compounds in a two step sequence. Finally, the lactam intermediates were reduced with DIBAH giving the target compounds, the structural and stereochemical assignments of which were achieved by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Part of PhD thesis, LMU München, D     

Essential Oil Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta involucrata</Emphasis> from Iran

The essential oil of Nepeta involucrata (Bunge) Bornm. (Lamiaceae) obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts during the flowering stage was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-eight compounds representing 97.2% of total oil were identified. The main compounds of the oil were 1,8-cineol (23.1%), germacrene-D (15.1%), and β-pinene (12.2%). No traces of nepetalactone isomers were found as oil constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 562–564, November–December, 2005.     

Chemotaxonomy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ballota</Emphasis> Species

Sixteen taxa of Ballota were investigated by analyzing the contents of diterpenoid and flavonoid compositions, and the relationships were compared with their morphological properties. HPLC chromatograms of diterpenoids and flavonoids from acetone extracts of sixteen Ballota taxa revealed the presence of thirteen compounds. Isolated compounds from Ballota species were evaluated by the unweighted pair-group arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. B. glandulosissima is distinct from all other taxa in the dendogram, and this species is morphologically different from other taxa by having a high number of glandular hairs. The second group is composed of B. saxatilis ssp. saxatilis and B. inaequidens; these two species are in close kinship as evidenced by their morphology (similar calyx shape). In the latter clusters at most, the affinities among taxa, as suggested by diterpenoid and flavonoid pattern, are only partially congruent with affinities based on other evidence. In general, morphologic, anatomic characters, distributions, and habitats are not concordant with the clusters. Also, no concordance was found between the sections, phylogenetic order [1], and those of the groups formed by cluster analyses.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 242–244, May–June, 2005.     

Triterpene Glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax septemlobum</Emphasis>. II. Glycosides E,K, and L from Leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax septemlobum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">maximowiczii</Emphasis> Introduced to Crimea

The known hederagenin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→ 3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (sapindoside C) and its 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl and 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl esters, new triterpene glycosides, were isolated from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii introduced to Crimea. The structures of these compounds were established using chemical methods and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 260–262, May–June, 2005.     

Functionalization of sterically hindered <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinones: amino-substituted 3,6-di(<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinones

New sterically hindered functionalized o-quinones were synthesized by the 1,4-nucleophilic addition of secondary cyclic amines to 3,6-di(tert-butyl)-o-benzoquinone. The ability of these o-quinones to form o-semiquinone complexes with transition and main-group metals was studied by ESR spectroscopy in solution. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1786–1793, September, 2007.