Xanthorrhizol derivatives and their biological properties as caspase-7 inhibitors.

Xanthorrhizol (1) is known as the major terpenoid component of the rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza and having some interesting biological activities. In this report, we synthesised five derivatives of 1 containing nitrogen-functional groups. Four of them are new synthesised compounds, including (R)-4-(3-(2-methyl-5-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)phenoxy)propyl)morpholine (2), (R)-N-benzyl-3-(2-methyl-5-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)phenoxy)propan-1-amine (3), (R)-6,7-dimethoxy-3-(3-(2-methyl-5-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)phenoxy)propyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (4), and (R)-6-methyl-3-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)-2-nitrophenol (5) groups. Meanwhile the other is the known compound, that is (R)-2-methyl-5-(6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)-4-nitrophenol (6). The caspase-7 inhibitory activity of compounds 1-6 was evaluated as well. In comparison to other derivatives, compounds 5 and 6 exhibited higher activity. Consequently, compounds 5 and 6 may be a promising lead compound for further development as a caspase-7 inhibitor.

Biodiesel and activated carbon from arabica spent coffee grounds.

This study aims to analyze the potential and characteristics of biodiesel and activated carbon from spent coffee grounds (SCG).•Biodiesel was obtained by extracting oil from SCG using Soxhlet extraction method with n-hexane solvent with an oil yield of 18.14% w/w of dry SCG. Furthermore, the coffee oil was esterified and transesterified to produce biodiesel with 57.32 % yield of coffee oil and higher heating value of 36.69 MJ/kg, density (15°C) of 0.89 g/mL, kinematic viscosity (40°C) of 7.67 mm2/s, acid number of 1.19 mg KOH/g oil.•The residue in form of grounds after oil extraction process was turned into activated carbon using two step activation process. Carbonization process was carried out at 500, 600, 700, and 800°C for 30 minutes and then chemically activated using potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 750°C for 2 hours. As the comparison, activated carbon was also made from SCG without oil extraction process. This study shows that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon made from SCG with oil extraction was better than without oil extraction. The best adsorption of activated carbon was obtained from SCG with oil extraction and carbonized at 700°C with iodine value of 1,224.59 mg/g and methylene blue value of 153.08 mg/g.

Antibacterial flavanones and dihydrochalcones from Macaranga trichocarpa.

Previously we had isolated two prenylated flavanones and two prenylated dihydrochalcones, macatrichocarpins A-D (1-4), from the acetone extract of the leaves of Macaranga trichocarpa. Re-examination of the fractions containing minor components resulted in the isolation of four more flavonoid derivatives, including two new prenylated dihydrochalcones, oxymacatrichocarpin C (5) and isomacatrichocarpin C (6). The structures of these compounds were determined by the analysis of UV, NMR, and mass spectral data. The eight isolated flavonoids were tested on eight pathogenic bacteria and found to be mostly moderate antibacterial agents, with the lowest MIC value of 26.5 µM achieved by the flavanone macatrichocarpin A (1) against Bacillus subtilis.

Geranylated flavonols from Macaranga rhizinoides.

Two geranylated and methylated flavonol derivatives, macarhizinoidins A (1) and B (2), along with a known phenolic compound methyl 4-isoprenyloxycinnamate (3), have been isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves M. rhizinoides. The structures of these compounds were identified based on their spectroscopic data. On cytotoxic evaluation against murine leukemia P-388 cells, compounds 1-2 showed IC50 values of 11.4 and 13.9 microM, respectively, while compound 3 was inactive.

A modified oligostilbenoid, diptoindonesin C, from Shorea pinanga Scheff.

A new oligostilbenoid, diptoindonesin C, has been isolated from the tree bark of Shorea pinanga Scheff., along with the two known oligostilbenoids gnetin H and hopeaphenol, and a known coumarin scopoletin. The new oligostilbenoid was moderately active against brine shrimps Artemia salina.

Macagigantin, a farnesylated flavonol from Macaranga gigantea.

A new farnesylated flavonol derivative, macagigantin (1), together with two known flavonoids, glyasperin A (2) and apigenin (3), had been isolated from the acetone extract of the leaves of Macaranga gigantea. The structure of the new compound was elucidated as 6-farnesylkaempferol based on its spectroscopic data, including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-EI-MS spectra. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against P-388 cells, their IC(50) values being 11.3, 6.0, and 5.1 microM, respectively.

Two new cytotoxic isoprenylated flavones, artoindonesianins U and V, from the heartwood of Artocarpus champeden.

Two new isoprenylated flavones, artoindonesianins U (1) and V (2), have been isolated from the heartwood of Artocarpus champeden together with three known isoprenylated flavonoids, 5'-hydroxycudraflavone A, cyclocommunin and artonin B. The structures of the new flavones were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Both compounds 1 and 2 showed strong cytotoxic activity against P-388 cell lines.

Artoindonesianins Q-T, four isoprenylated flavones from Artocarpus champeden Spreng. (Moraceae).

Four isoprenylated flavones, artoindonesianins Q-T, were isolated from the heartwood of Artocarpus champeden Roxb. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data.