Terpenoids as anti-inflammatory substances inhibiting COX-2 isolated from the fibrous roots of (Lour.) Harms.

A new sesquiterpene, 1-carbonyl-2,8-dihydroxy-11-oxabicyclo [4,4,1] germacra- 2(3),4(5),6(7),8(9)-tetraene () and four known compounds (3, 23)-3-caffeoyl-23-coumaroylhederagenin (), (3, 23)-dicoumaroylhederagenin (), morettinone (), 24-ehylcholesta-3,6-dione () were isolated from the ethyl acetate layer of the fibrous root of (Lour.) Harms. The structure of compound was characterized by its H-NMR, C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, HSQC spectrums, and the structures of the known compounds were determined by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported by the literatures.

Significance of biomass open burning on the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the ambient air.

In southern Taiwan, two areas (L- and Y-) with/without biomass open burning were selected to compare the PCDD/F concentrations and their congener profiles in the ambient air. The results of this study indicate that biomass (rice straw) open burning exhibited a significant impact on the PCDD/F concentration level in the ambient air. During the biomass burning season, the total PCDD/F I-TEQ concentrations in the ambient air of L- and Y-areas were approximately 4 and 17 times higher than those without biomass open burning, respectively.