Phenylpropanoids and lignoids from the whole plant of and their cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells.

One new naturally occurring quinone, 3',4'-dihydroxy-1,2,6-trimethoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4(1)-one (), one new diarylpropane, emarginone A (), and one new neolignan, emarginone B (), along with eighteen known compounds have been isolated from the chemical investigation of the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the whole plant methanolic extract. The new structures were elucidated by combined analysis of spectroscopic analytical methods and comparison with the literature data obtained from known analogues. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds , , and against Du145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines using MTT cell proliferation assay was evaluated.

Detection of chlorophylls in spores of seven ferns.

Fern spores were traditionally classified into chlorophyllous (green) and nonchlorophyllous (nongreen) types based on the color visible to the naked eye. Recently, a third type, "cryptochlorophyllous spores", is recognized, and these spores are nongreen under white light but contain chlorophylls. Epifluorescence microscopy was previously used to detect chlorophylls in cryptochlorophyllous spores.

MALDI MS analysis, disk diffusion and optical density measurements for the antimicrobial effect of zinc oxide nanorods integrated in graphene oxide nanostructures.

Graphene oxide-zinc oxide hybrid nanostructures were synthesized and they demonstrated significant and promising antimicrobial activity on pathogenic bacteria. The combination of graphene oxide with zinc oxide nanorods showed an impressive antibacterial effect under intense scrutiny as compared with individual graphene oxide or zinc oxide nanomaterials. The characterization and investigation of GO-ZnO nanorod hybrid nanostructures were conducted using UV, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and TEM measurements.

New Furanone and Sesquiterpene from the Pericarp of Calocedrus formosana.

One new γ-lactone, namely calolactone (1), together with one new drimane-type sesquiterpene, namely caloterpene (2), were isolated from the pericarp of Calocedrus formosana Florin. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis.

New and Cytotoxic Components from Antrodia camphorata.

The solid-state cultured products of Antrodia camphorata as health foods has been blooming for the past few decades in Taiwan. In continuing our studies on the chemical constituents of the solid-state cultured products of this fungus, 6-methoxy-4-methyl-2,3-(methylenedioxy)phenol (1) and 4,4'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(2,3,6-trimethoxyphenol)(2) together with 2,3,6-trimethoxy-4-methylphenol (3), 1(10→6)abeo-ergosta-5,7,9,22-tetraen-3α-ol (4), citreoanthrasteroid B (5) and dankasterones A (6) and B (7) were purified by a series of column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by spectral data analysis.

Modified method for determination of sulfur metabolites in plant tissues by stable isotope dilution-based liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

A wide variety of sulfur metabolites play important roles in plant functions. We have developed a precise and sensitive method for the simultaneous measurement of several sulfur metabolites based on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and (34)S metabolic labeling of sulfur-containing metabolites in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. However, some sulfur metabolites were unstable during the extraction procedure.

Novel terpenoids from Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana.

Calocetriol (1), diacetylcalocediol (2), and ferrugimenthenol (3) were isolated from the bark of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana. Among them, 1 and 2 are secoabietane-type diterpenoids, and 3, with a novel C(20)-C(10) skeleton, is classified as a meroterpenoid.

Simultaneous determination of sulphur metabolites in Arabidopsis thaliana via LC-ESI-MS/MS and ³⁴S-metabolic labelling.

Introduction: Sulphur-containing metabolites play an important role in metabolism and homeostasis. Determination of these metabolites is challenging owing to their low concentrations and the interference in mass spectrometry analysis.

Objective: To develop a sensitive and accurate method based on liquid chromatography, electrospray ionisation, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and ³⁴S-metabolic labelling for quantification of methionine, reduced glutathione, oxidised glutathione in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Copper exposure interferes with the regulation of the uptake, distribution and metabolism of sulfate in Chinese cabbage.

Exposure of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) to enhanced Cu(2+) concentrations (1-10 microM) resulted in leaf chlorosis, a loss of photosynthetic capacity and lower biomass production at > or = 5 microM. The decrease in pigment content was likely not the consequence of degradation, but due to hindered chloroplast development upon Cu exposure. The Cu content of the root increased with the Cu(2+) concentration (up to 40-fold), though only a minor proportion (4%) was transferred to the shoot.

18-nor-Podocarpanes and podocarpanes from the Bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides.

Seven nor- and podocarpane-type diterpenes were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata, including three 18-nor-podocarpanes: 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (1), 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,13,14-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (2), 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (3), 1beta,14,19-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (4), 1beta,13,14,18-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (5), 18-acetoxy-1beta,13,14-trihydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (6), and 1beta,14,18-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (7). Their structures were determined by application of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and other techniques. Podocarpane-type diterpenes do not occur extensively in nature, and the presumed oxidative enzyme in this plant will be of interest to identify.

Allelopathy on bark of downed logs of Chamaecyparis Obtusa sieb. and Zucc. var. formosana (Hayata) Rehder.

Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. and Zucc. var.