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Mutations in six genes have been unequivocally linked to Parkinson disease (PD). A recent study found that among 953 patients with the early-onset form of PD, ≈17% harbored a mutation in one of these genes. This finding raises important issues concerning genetic testing and genetic counseling for early-onset PD.

The electrochemical behaviour and mechanism of the redox process of the natural antioxidant rosmanol 9-ethyl ether, isolated fromSaliva officinalis L., were studied. The cyclic voltammograms of rosmanol 9-ethyl ether (R9EE), at characteristic pH values, and the electrochemical parameters for all investigated pH values were measured. Three characteristic pH regions, each with different behaviour of R9EE, were identified. In regions of pH 5 only one anodic peak appeared, whereas in the solutions of pH 4–5 two anodic peaks could be noted. The overall oxidation mechanism at pH 5. This means that at the pH values expected in plant cells, R9EE has an unexpected structure, making this substance a potent antioxidant. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric measurements enabled us to establish an extremely low pK a value (4.35) for R9EE.

Usnic acid, 1,3(2H,9bH)-dibenzofurandione-2,6-diacetyl-7,9-dihydroxy-8,9b-dimethyl, (1) was isolated from the lichenUsnea barbata by supercritical CO2 extraction. The corresponding sodium salt 2 1/2 hydrate was obtained by reacting the acid with sodium carbonate. (C18H15O7Na·2.5 H2O) × 2,M r =822.68, triclinic,P1,a=14.179(8),b=7.369(4),c=9.109(6)A,α=88.47(2),β=105.35(2),γ=92.27(2)°,V=917(2)A3,Z=1,D x =1.490 g cm−3, λ(MoKα)=0.71073 A,μ=1.32 cm−1,F(000)=430,T=293(2)K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined toR=0.038 for 3229 observed reflections. Both Na ions are pentacoordinated. Their coordination polyhedra are distorted square pyramids bound together by a common water molecule (OW1). The molecules are also joined together by a common water oxygen (OW2) in an infinite chain which lies parallel to theb-axis. The chains are held together by hydrogen bonds. The conformation of usnic acid in the complex differs from that found previously by a rotation of the acetyl group bound to the cyclohexadienone ring.

The title compound 2H-10,4a-(epoxy-methano)-phenantren-12-one-l,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-9-keto-1,1-dimethyl-7-(1-methylethyl) isolated fromSalvia officinalis L. have been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. Investigation of1H and13C NMR, homonuclear (COSY) (1H-1H) and heteronuclear (1H-13C) spectra, permitted the unambiguous assignment of the1H and13C spectra, what gave the possibility to resolve the signals of similar natural products. Crystal data are: C21H26O5,Mr=358.43, orthorhombic,P21,21,21, (No. 19),a=10.671(2),b=11.976(3),c=14.601(5)A,V=1865.9(9)A3,Z=4,Dx=1.276 mg−3, λ(MoKα)=0.7107 A,μ=0.84 cm−1, F(000)=768,T=293(1) K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined toR=0.041 for 1832 observed reflections collected on CAD-4 diffractometer.

The title compound: 2H-10,4a-(epoxy-methano)-phenantren-12-one-1,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydro-5,6-dihydroxy-9α-etoxy-1,1-dirnethyl-7-(1-methylethyl), was isolated fromSalvia officinalis L. andHyssopus officinalis L. C22H30O5, orthorhombic, P212121, (No. 19)a=8.309(1),b=11.320(2),c=22.060(3) A,V=2075.0(9) A3,Z=4,D x=1.199 g·cm−3, λ(CuKα)=1.54184 A,μ=6.43 cm−1, F(000)=808,T=296(1) K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined toR=0.047 for 1824 observed reflections collected on a CAD-4 diffractometer. In the course of structure refinement conformational disorder of the isopropyl moiety and the terminal methyl group pertaining to the ethoxy ligand was established. They result altogether in four different conformers.