Search

Camellia rostrata S. X. Yang & S. F. Chai is a recently described yellow camellia species from Guangxi, China. It is a critically endangered species according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Here, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome based on next-generation sequencing technology. The complete cp genome of C. rostrata is 156,547 bp in length and consists of a large single-copy (LSC, 86,199 bp) region, a small single-copy (SSC, 18,204 bp) region, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,072 bp). The genome contains 135 genes including 40 tRNA, eight rRNA, and 87 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis resolved C. rostrata in a clade containing C. huana and C. impressinervis, both of which are classified to Camellia sect. Archecamellia. Our findings support the placement of C. rostrata in C. sect. Archecamellia as proposed by a previous study. The cp genome of C. rostrata provides valuable bioinformatic resources for the protection and utilization of this yellow camellia species.

On the basis of field investigation and herbarium specimen examination, Tutcheria multisepala, Pyrenaria poilaneana, Parapyrenaria indochinensis and Camellia luuana are treated to the synonymy of Pyrenaria jonquieriana. In addition, lectotypes are designated for the names Pyrenaria jonquieriana and Pyrenaria poilaneana.

A new naphthalene derivative has been isolated from Aloe vera by using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, sephadex, MCI-gel resin, and RP-HPLC. The new compound was determined as 3-hydroxy-1-(1,7-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propan-1-one (1). In the biological activity assay, compound 1 disglayed prominent antibacterial activity with a MIC90 value of (48±4) mg•L⁻¹ for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain which was stronger than that of the positive control levofloxacin with a MIC90 value (58±5) mg•L⁻¹.

Six new physalin steroids, 7β-methoxylisophysalin B (1), 7β-methoxylphysalin C (2), physalin V (3), physalin VI (4), physalin VII (5), isophysalin I (6), together with 20 known physalins (7-26) were isolated from calyces of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii. Structures of the new compounds were revealed through 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1-26 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against human HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW-480, and the results indicated that compounds 8, 11, and 14 displayed potent cytotoxicities (IC505μM) in vitro. Further antibacterial assay indicated that compounds 8, 14, and 19 showed high antibacterial activities against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli.

Amabiose, a new disaccharide derivative with a novel skeleton, was isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya amabilis. Its structure was condensed from a glucose and a hemslose, which was elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic means and chemical reaction, including 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Amabiose, a new disaccharide derivative with a novel skeleton, was isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya amabilis. Its structure was condensed from a glucose and a hemslose, which was elucidated unambiguously by spectroscopic means and chemical reaction, including 2D NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.