Capillary liquid chromatographic fingerprint used for discrimination of Zingiber montanum from related species

Fingerprint analysis using capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) has been developed for discrimination of Zingiber montanum (ZM) from related species, for example Z. americans (ZA) and Z. zerumbet (ZZ). By comparing the fingerprint chromatograms of ZM, ZA, and ZZ we could identify ZM samples and discriminate them from ZA and ZZ by using their marker peaks. We also combined CLC fingerprint with multivariate analysis, including principal-component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA); all three species were discriminated successfully. This result indicates that CLC fingerprint analysis in combination with PCA and CVA can be used for discrimination of ZM samples from samples of related species.

Simultaneous quantification of curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol in Curcuma xanthorrhiza by high-performance liquid chromatography

A new method for simultaneous quantification of curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol (XNT) in Curcuma xanthorrhiza was developed and validated using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array UV–Vis detector. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18 at room temperature with the mobile-phase acetonitrile ?0.001% formic acid in gradient elution system and delivered at a flow rate of 1?mL/min. Detection wavelength 425?nm was used for curcuminoids and 224?nm for XNT. System suitability, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and stability were evaluated and were found in good agreement with Association of Official Analytical Chemists guidelines for single-laboratory validation. The proposed method was found to be precise, accurate, and reliable and also could be applied for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of curcuminoids and XNT in C. xanthorriza raw material and its herbal medicinal product.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [WI(CO)(cis-dppen) η2-MeC2Me)2]I·CH2Cl2 {cis-dppen = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene}

The complex [WI(CO)(cis-dppen)(²-MeC₂Me)₂]I·CH₂Cl₂(1) is prepared as a by-product from the reaction of equimolar quantities of [WI₂(CO)(NCMe)(²-MeC₂Me)₂] and cisdppen {dppen = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene}. Complex 1, [WI(CO)(cis-dppen)(²-MeC₂Me)₂]I·CH₂Cl₂ crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a = 11.189(13), b = 12.331(14), c = 15.395(17) Å, = 83.61(1), = 86.06(1), = 64.48(1)°, U = 1904 ų, and Z = 2. The metal environment in the cation can best be considered as a distorted octahedron with the two but-2-yne groups taking up individual sites trans to phosphorus atoms of the dppen ligand. The coordination sphere is completed by mutually trans-carbonyl and iodide groups.     

Crystal structure of [WI2(CO)3{P(OMe)3}2]

[WI₂(CO)₃{P(OMe)₃}₂]crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca2₁, with a = 26.924(5), b = 10.726(2), c = 14.136(3) Å, and Z = 8. There are two molecules in the asymmetric unit, the metal atoms in each case being seven-coordinate with a capped fac-(CO)₃ octahedral geometry. The molecular dimensions in the two molecules are nearly identical. The W–P distance to the capping atom 2.397 Å (average) is significantly shorter than the other W–P distance, 2.525 Å (average).     

Structure Elucidation and Cholinesterase Inhibition Activity of Two New Minor Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

Two new minor Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were isolated from Hippeastrum × hybridum cv. Ferrari and Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton. The chemical structures were identified by various spectroscopic (one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR, circular dichroism (CD), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and by comparison with literature data of similar compounds. Both isolated alkaloids were screened for their human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE) inhibition activity. One of the new compounds, a heterodimer alkaloid of narcikachnine-type, named narciabduliine (2), showed balanced inhibition potency for both studied enzymes, with IC₅₀ values of 3.29 ± 0.73 µM for hAChE and 3.44 ± 0.02 µM for hBuChE. The accommodation of 2 into the active sites of respective enzymes was predicted using molecular modeling simulation.     

Synthesis,Mesomorphic and Computational Characterizations of Nematogenic Schiff Base Derivatives in Pure and Mixed State

Homolog series based on three aromatic rings bearing terminal alkoxy chain of various lengths named 4-(4-(alkoxy)phenylimino)methyl)phenyl nicotinate (An) were synthesized. The alkoxy-chain length changed between 6, 8 and 16 carbons. Mesomorphic and optical properties were carried out via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy were carried out to elucidate the molecular structures of the prepared derivatives. Mesomorphic results indicated that all the synthesized homologs (An) are monomorphic possessing the nematic (N) phase enantiotropically with wide thermal stability. Computational simulations were measured via density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculation tool. The estimated thermal and geometrical parameters are in agreement with the experimental data. By discussing the estimated parameters, it was found that the molecular architecture, dipole moment and the polarizability of the investigated compounds are highly affected by the length of the attached terminal flexible chain and the location of the nitrogen atom in the other terminal aromatic ring. Binary phase diagrams of two corresponding homologs with different proportionating terminals were constructed, and their binary phase physical properties were discussed in terms of the temperature range and stability of the N phase.     

Ultrastructural and Morphological Effects in T-Lymphoblastic Leukemia CEM-SS Cells Following Treatment with Nordamnacanthal and Damnacanthal from Roots of Morinda elliptica

Background: Morinda elliptica (family Rubiaceae), locally known as ‘mengkudu kecil’, has been used by the Malays for medicinal purposes. Anthraquinones isolated from the roots of Morinda elliptica, namely nordamnacanthal and damnacanthal, have been widely reported to exhibit anticancer and antioxidant properties in various cancer models in vitro and in vivo. Aim: This study analyzed the morphological and ultrastructural effects of damnacanthal and nordamnacanthal on T-lymphoblastic leukemia CEM-SS cells. Method: Light microscopy, Giemsa staining, Wright’s staining, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were carried out to determine apoptosis, necrosis, and ultrastructural changes that occurred within the cells. Results: The outcomes showed that these compounds induced cell death by apoptosis and necrosis, specifically at higher doses of 10 and 30 μg/mL. Condensation and fragmentation of the nuclear chromatin, which further separated into small, membrane-bound vesicles known as apoptotic bodies, were observed in the nuclei and cytoplasm. The plasma membranes and cytoskeletons also showed marked morphological changes upon treatment with damnacanthal and nordamnacanthal, indicating apoptosis. Conclusion: Therefore, we report that damnacanthal and nordamnacanthal exhibit anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis and necrosis in CEM-SS cells, and they have potential as a drug for the treatment of T-lymphoblastic leukemia.     

In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Tacca Tubers (Tacca leontopetaloides) from Banyak Island,Aceh Singkil Regency,Indonesia, as Antihypercholesterolemia Agents

Tacca leontopetaloides (T. leontopetaloides) contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, steroids, and alkaloids. The active compounds from plants have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzym A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. This study aims to investigate the potential active compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tacca tubers (T. leontopetaloides) from the Banyak Islands, Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province both in vitro and in silico. Tacca tubers contain secondary metabolites including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and saponins, according to phytochemical screening. In vitro investigation of ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber revealed inhibitory activity of HMG Co-A reductase with an IC₅₀ value of 4.92 ppm. Based on the in silico study, active compound from the extract, namely Stigmasterol with the highest binding affinities with HMG Co-A reductase (−7.2 kcal/mol). As a comparison, the inhibition of HMG Co-A reductase activity by simvastatin with an IC₅₀ 4.62 ppm and binding affinity −8.0 Kcal/mol. Our findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber (T. leontopetaloides) from Banyak Islands, Aceh Province has the potential to inhibit the activity of HMG Co-A reductase.