Inhibitory activity of homoisoflavonoids from Caesalpinia sappan against Beauveria bassiana

Four homoisoflavonoids, 4-O-methylsappanol (1), protosappanin A (2), brazilin (3) and caeasalpin J (4), isolated from Caesalpinia sappan, were tested for inhibitory activity against Beauveria bassiana. Compound 1 showed activity against this fungus.     

Two novel biphenyl dimers from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan

Two novel biphenyl dimers, caesappanin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data including IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR. Preliminary bioassays showed that compound 1 possessed potent cytotoxic effects against 4 cell lines including HCT-8, BGC-823, A549 and A2780 with IC₅₀ between 1.67 μM and 4.88 μM.     

Norcassane- and cassane-type furanoditerpenoids from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan

Three novel furanoditerpenoids, norcaesalpinin J (1) featuring an unusual 20-norcassane hydroperoxide and phangininoxys B (2) and C (3) possessing cassane hemiketal skeletons, were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. All isolates were evaluated for the cytotoxic activities on three human cancer cell lines.     

Caesappin A and B,two novel protosappanins from Caesalpinia sappan L.

Two novel protosappanins, named Caesappin A (1) and B (2), along with three known protosappanins were isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. Caesappin A is a new type protosappanin with a seven-membered ring fusing an acetal-type section. Compound 4 was isolated from the genus Caesalpinia for the first time. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and the absolute configuration was determined by the ECD experiment coupled with calculated ECD spectra. Their cytotoxic activities were evaluated using MTT assay.     

Cleistanthane diterpenes from the seed of Caesalpinia sappan and their antiausterity activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line

Three new cleistanthane diterpenes named tomocinon (1), tomocinol A (2), and tomocinol B (3), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the seed of Caesalpinia sappan. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis. The absolute stereochemistry of tomocinon (1) has been established by CD spectroscopic analysis. Cleistanthane diterpenes (1–3) represents the novel class of antiausterity agents having preferential cytotoxicity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cell line under nutrient deprived condition with PC₅₀ value of 34.7 μM, 42.4 μM and 39.4 μM, respectively.     

New cassane diterpenes from Caesalpinia echinata

An investigation of the ethanolic extract from stems of Caesalpinia echinata Lam (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae) led to the isolation of five new cassane diterpenes along with known lambertianic acid. Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic methods. A preliminary study on leishmanicidal activity demonstrated that compounds 1, 2 and 6 were found to inhibit the growth of amastigote-like forms of Leishmania amazonensis without affecting mononuclear cells obtained from human peripheral blood.     

Cassane-type diterpenoids from the seed kernels of Caesalpinia bonduc

Seven new cassane diterpenoids (1–7), along with three known compounds (8–10), were isolated from the seed kernels of Caesalpinia bonduc. The structures were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC and ROESY) and mass (HRESIMS) spectroscopic data analyses. The structure and absolute configuration of compound 1 were confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. All isolates were tested for their cytotoxicity against HepG-2, MCF-7 and MG-63 cells, and 8–10 showed weak inhibitory activities.     

Paeoniflorin: an antihyperlipidemic agent from Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniflorin (1), isolated from the methanol extract of Paeonia lactiflora, showed a lowering effect on cholesterol level in the experimentally-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Paeoniflorin showed a significantly lowering effect of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels compared with the control group at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. once a day for 4 weeks.     

Seven new cassane furanoditerpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax

A bioassay-guided study led to the isolation of seven new cassane furanoditerpenes, designated as spirocaesalmin B (1), caesalpinin M₁ (2), caesalpinin M₂ (3), caesalmin E₁ (4), caesalmin E₂ (5), caesalmin E₃ (6), caesalpinin F₁ (7) and three known compounds neocaesalpin A(8), neocaesalpin L(9), neocaesalpin L₁(10) from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Compound structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including X-ray crystallographic analysis, HRESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) methods. Some absolute configurations were confirmed via the circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Compound 1 is the first example of an A-seco-rearranged cassane furanoditerpene with an unusual skeleton isolated from the genus Caesalpinia. All compound inhibitory effects on influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) in vitro were valued for the first time. Compared with the positive control (Zanamivir), new compounds were found to show moderate inhibitory activity.     

北美鹅掌楸漂白药剂的选择

采用几种常见的氧化型和还原型漂白剂对变色北美鹅掌楸木材进行漂白试验,对漂后试材进行目测观察及测色仪测定色度指数比较其漂白效果.试验结果表明,对于北美鹅掌楸木材的一般漂白,氧化型漂白剂优于还原型漂白剂.在考虑环保和对材面纤维的影响等因素的条件下,低浓度过氧化氢对漂白对象有很好的漂白效果,较佳的工艺条件为:H2O2质量分数6％,pH值为9,5 ～10.0,Na2SiO3质量分数0.4％,温度70℃,时间60～ 90 min.     

以加工剩余物作能源的端风机型木材干燥窑

阐述了以加工剩余物作能源的端风机型木材干燥窑供热装置的结构及工作原理。经3年多使用证明：该种结构干燥窑结构简单，投资省，热效率高，干燥质量好，干燥成本仅为常规蒸汽干燥窑的1/3。     

Characterization of the lignin-derived products from wood as treated in supercritical water

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) and buna (Fugus crenata Blume) woods were treated with supercritical water (>374°C, >22.1 MPa) and fractionated into a water-soluble portion and a water-insoluble residue. The latter was washed with methanol to be fractionated further into a methanol-soluble portion and a methanol-insoluble residue. Whereas the carbohydrate-derived products were in the water-soluble portion, most of the lignin-derived products were found in the methanol-soluble portion and methanol-insoluble residue. The lignin-derived products in the methanol-soluble portion were shown to have more phenolic hydroxyl groups than lignin in original wood. The alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation analyses, however, exhibited much less oxidation product in the methanol-soluble portion and methanol-insoluble residue. These lines of evidence suggest that the ether linkages of lignin are preferentially cleaved during supercritical water treatment. To simulate the reaction of lignin, a study with lignin model compounds was performed;-O-4-type lignin model compounds were found to be cleaved, whereas biphenyl-type compounds were highly stable during supercritical water treatment. These results clearly indicated that the lignin-derived products, mainly consisting of condensed-type linkages of lignin due to the preferential degradation of the ether linkages of lignin, occurred during supercritical water treatment.This study was presented in part at the 45th lignin symposium, Ehime, Japan, October, 2000; and the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1988     

Novel dinorcassane- and cassane-type diterpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax

Two novel diterpenes, norcaesalpinin I (1) featuring an unusual ring C-contracted dinorcassane and caesalpinin U (2) possessing a highly oxygenated furanocassane skeleton were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax. Their structures were determined by different spectroscopic methods. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1 and 2 against HepG2 and HeLa human tumor cell lines was evaluated.     

Ionic liquids as formaldehyde-free wood adhesives

Several ionic liquids promote depolymerization of wood components, i.e., polysaccharides and lignin, into low molecular weight compounds, some of which further re-polymerize into resin-like compounds. In this study, the depolymerization/re-polymerization of wood components in ionic liquids was applied to preparation of plywoods from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) veneers by employing ionic liquids as adhesives. The adhesive solution was prepared by mixing an ionic liquid (pyridine hydrochloride ([Py][Cl]), imidazole hydrochloride ([IM][Cl]), or 1-ethylpyridinium chloride ([EtPy][Cl])) with water and d-glucose in various weight ratios. Tensile shear test of the three-ply plywoods prepared from the veneers and the adhesive solution through hot-pressing indicated that the plywood bonded with the [IM][Cl]-based solution ([IM][Cl]/water/glucose ratio: 9/3/2) exhibited the highest strength. Scanning electron microscope observation on the plywoods suggested that the ionic liquids softened the cell walls of the probably plywood through the depolymerization/re-polymerization reactions and the cell walls were compressed during the hot-pressing process. Entwining of the compressed cell walls and van der Waals force enhanced by the compression were considered to be origins of the adhesion of the veneers.     

A global rheological model of wood cantilever as applied to wood drying

In the process of wood drying inevitable stresses are induced. This often leads to checking and undesired deformations that may greatly affect the quality of the dried product. The purpose of this study was to propose a new rheological model representation capable to predict the evolution of stresses and deformations in wood cantilever as applied to wood drying. The rheological model considers wood shrinkage, instantaneous stress–strain relationships, time induced creep, and mechano-sorptive creep. The constitutive law is based on an elasto–viscoplastic model that takes into account the moisture content gradient in wood, the effect of external load, and a threshold viscoplastic (permanent) strain which is dependent on stress level and time. The model was implemented into a numerical program that computes stresses and strains of wood cantilever under constant load for various moisture content conditions. The results indicate that linear and nonlinear creep behavior of wood cantilever under various load levels can be simulated using only one Kelvin element model in combination with a threshold-type viscoplastic element. The proposed rheological model was first developed for the identification of model parameters from cantilever creep tests, but it can be easily used to simulate drying stresses of a piece of wood subjected to no external load. It can therefore predict the stress reversal phenomenon, residual stresses and maximum stress through thickness during a typical drying process.     

心材提取物和专用木材防腐剂作为木材保护剂的相对功效

本文调查了三种耐用木材(Afzelia africana J.E. Smith; Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill & Perr.) Brenam. Syn. E guinensis G.Don. or Milicia excelsa (Welw) C.C. Berg. Syn. Chlorophora excelsa (Welw) Benth.)的心材提取物（在60%的甲醇中风干提取）和两种专用木材防腐剂（CCA和Penta）在暴露的土壤区组设计条件下，抑制三种木材腐朽菌(Coridopsis Polyzona Klotzch; Lenzites trabea; or Trametes cingulata Fr.)对见血封喉边材的侵袭的相对潜能，并测定其阈值。提取物和防腐剂的剂量分别是8.009、24.778、48.056、96.111、144.167 kg·m-3 ，样品的暴露处理时间与ASTM D1413-72规定的一致分别是14周和18周。结果显示：在阈值范围内，任何一种心材提取物或木材防腐剂在研究中对木材腐朽菌的抑制能力在0.01的显著水平下，差异显著。这些生物杀灭剂的相对功效是取决于真菌的种类。没有任何一种心材提取物或木材防腐剂（除在用最高的存留水平处理被侵袭的非洲毒箭木的条件下）对于被处理的木材能够授予"非常持久"等级。本土树种的心材提取物相对持久力的减少的可能原因是复杂的。在最高的存留量（144.167 kg·m-3）水平下，在0.05显著水平下每种心材提取物和任一种专用木材防腐剂（CCA和Penta）之间的功效差异不显著.     

Piezoelectricity as a fundamental property of wood

Summary The piezoelectric effect in wood, i.e. the occurrence of electric polarization under mechanical stress and also of mechanical strain in an electric field, was accounted for by considering the uniaxial orientation of cellulose crystallites in fibers and their monoclinic symmetry. A shear stress in one plane, including the grain direction, produced electrical polarization perpendicular to it. The value of the piezoelectric modulus for wood was approximately one twentieth of that of a quartz crystal.The chemical treatments which transform the lattice structure from cellulose I to II or III, increased the piezoelectric modulus. However, gamma-ray irradiation up to a dose sufficiently high to decrease the molecular weight had only little influence on the piezoelectric modulus.The variation with temperature of the phase angle between sinusoidal stress and polarization showed a maximum of advanced phase around room temperature and a maximum of delayed phase at about-100°C. Dielectric and viscoelastic measurements indicated that the former was caused by the dielectric loss due to water at a temperature above freezing and the latter by the viscoelastic loss due to local vibrations of cellulose molecules.The piezoelectric polarization in wood can be utilized in technical problems such as the measurement of shock velocity in timber. The physiological meaning of the piezoelectrical effect in plants has not been investigated.

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Zusammenfassung Der piezoelektrische Effekt in Holz, d. h. das Auftreten einer elektrischen Polarisation unter mechanischer Spannung und ebenso das Auftreten mechanischer Verformungen in einem elektrischen Feld wird als Folgeerscheinung der einachsigen Orientierung der Cellulosekristallite in den Holzfasern und durch deren monokline Symmetrie erklärt. Es wurde beobachtet, daß eine Scherspannung in einer Ebene, welche in Faserrichtung liegt, eine elektrische Polarisation senkrecht dazu hervorruft. Die Größe des piezoelektrischen Moduls für Holz betrug etwa 1/20 des piezoelektrischen Moduls eines Quarzkristalls.Chemische Behandlungen, welche die Gitterstruktur der Cellulose I in diejenige von Cellulose II und III umformen, erhöhen gleichzeitig den piezoelektrischen Modul. Dagegen zeigte eine Behandlung mit -Strahlen selbst bis zu einer Dosisleistung, die ausreichte, um das Molekulargewicht zu erniedrigen, nur geringen Einfluß auf den piezoelektrischen Modul.Die Temperaturabhängigkeit des Phasenwinkels zwischen einer S-förmig verlaufenden Spannung und der Polarisation zeigt ein Maximum der vorauseilenden Phase etwa bei Raumtemperatur und ein Maximum der nachlaufenden Phase bei etwa-100°C. Dielektrische und viskoelastische Messungen ließen erkennen, daß die Dielektrizität auf Grund dielektrischer Verluste von Wasser über 0°C zustande kommt und daß die Viskoelastizität durch viskoelastische Verluste auf Grund örtlicher Schwingungen von Cellulosemolekülen entsteht.Die piezoelektrische Polarisation bei Holz kann für die Lösung technischer Probleme, wie z. B. bei der Messung der Schallgeschwindigkeit in Holz praktisch eingesetzt werden. Die physiologische Bedeutung des piezoelektrischen Effekts in lebenden Pflanzen ist bisher noch unbekannt.

     

Cerebral nuclei distribution study of dehydrodiisoeugenol as an anxiogenic agent determined by RP-HPLC

A sensitive RP-HPLC–DAD method was established to quantify dehydrodiisoeugenol (DDIE) in rat cerebral nuclei. The assay procedure involved one-step extraction of DDIE and daidzein, as an internal standard, from rat plasma and various cerebral nuclei with ethyl acetate. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Diamonsil™ ODS C₁₈ column with methanol–water (81:19, v/v) as a mobile phase. The UV absorbance of the samples was measured at the wavelength of 270 nm. The analysis method was proved to be precise and accurate at linearity ranges in plasma and each cerebral nucleus with correlation coefficients of ≥ 0.9971. The results indicated that the method established was successfully applied to cerebral nuclei distribution study of DDIE after intravenous administration at a single dose of 40 mg/kg to rat. DDIE showed high concentration in all of cerebral nuclei at 8 min, which indicated that DDIE could cross the blood–brain barrier rapidly and might be one of the main bioactive substances of nutmeg. The results provide fundamental data for evaluating the effects of DDIE on the central nervous system and to be developed into an effective anxiogenic agent.