Clerodane diterpenes from Polyalthia longifolia var. pendula protect SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cells from β-amyloid insult

The n-hexane layer of Polyalthia longifolia methanolic extract showed neuroprotective activity, resulting in the isolation of three new clerodane diterpenes.

Balanophora spicataand Lupeol Acetate Possess Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory ActivitiesIn VivoandIn Vitro

Aims of the present study were to investigate effects ofBalanophora spicata(BS) on antinociception and anti-inflammation bothin vivoandin vitro. Crude extract of BS inhibited vascular permeability induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and PGE2, but not by PAF. Furthermore, BS crude extract, different layers (n-hexane, ethyl acetate,n-butanol, and water layer), and lupeol acetate had significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing response, formalin-induced licking behavior, carrageenan-, and serotonin-induced paw edema. Then-hexane layer had the most effective potency among all layers (IC50: 67.33 mg/kg on writhing response; IC50s: 34.2 mg/kg and 21.29 mg/kg on the early phase and late phase of formalin test, resp.). Additionally, lupeol acetate which was isolated from then-hexane layer of BS effectively inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response (IC50: 28.32 mg/kg), formalin-induced licking behavior (IC50: 20.95 mg/kg), NO production (IC50: 4.102 μM), iNOS expression (IC50: 5.35 μM), and COX2 expression (IC50: 5.13 μM) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, BS has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects which may be partially due to the inhibition of changes in vascular permeability induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and PGE2and the attenuation of iNOS and COX-2 expression.

t-Curves for n-Hexane

The adsorption and desorption isotherms of n-hexane on powdered alumina and silica have been studied at 25°C over a wide range of relative pressures. Two t-curves for pore structure analysis are proposed, one for alumina (C = 12) and the second for silica (3 ≤ C ≤ 9). The statistical thickness t of the adsorbed n-hexane layer has been drawn as a function of the relative pressure assuming a maximal thickness of 0.55 nm and a mean thickness of 0.42 nm for the monolayer. The results are discussed in relation to previous published data.