A potent and selective activator of large-conductance Ca-activated K channels induces preservation of mitochondrial function after hypoxia and reoxygenation by handling of calcium and transmembrane potential.

Aims: Ischaemic heart disease remains a significant cause of mortality globally. A pharmacological agent that protects cardiac mitochondria against oxygen deprivation injuries is welcome in therapy against acute myocardial infarction. Here, we evaluate the effect of large-conductance Ca-activated K channels (BKCa) activator, Compound Z, in isolated mitochondria under hypoxia and reoxygenation.

Kunth: A New Natural Source of the Bioactive Neolignan (-)-Grandisin.

The species are a recognized botanical source of a broad structural diversity of lignans and its derivatives. For the first time, Kunth is presented as a promising natural source of the bioactive (-)-grandisin. Phytochemical analyses of extracts from its leaves, branches and inflorescences showed the presence of the target compound in large amounts, with leaf extracts found to contain up to 52.