Lipophilic extractives of the inner and outer barks from six different Pinus species grown in Indonesia

The chemical compositions of the dichloromethane extracts of inner and outer barks from six Pinus species（P.elliotii,P.oocarpa,P.caribeae,P.merkusii,P.montezumae,and P.insularis） grown in Indonesia were investigated by GC and GC–MS.Generally,the amounts of extractive contents were higher in the inner bark than in the outer bark except for P.merksuii.Fatty acids,monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes,resin acids,triterpenoids,and steroids were detected and quantified.Inner and outer barks differed not only in content of these compounds but also in their composition.Fatty acids and alcohols were the major classes of lipophilic compounds in the outer bark of P.caribeae, P.insularis,and P.montezumae.Steroids and triterpenoids were the dominant compounds identified in the inner bark of P.elliotii,P.insularis,and P.merkusii.Resin acids were the most abundant group in the inner bark of P.oocarpa whereas monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were recorded in minor quantities in both bark layers of all species.

Color and chemical characterization of partially black-streaked heartwood in teak (Tectona grandis)

The heartwood of teak in certain areas of Java Island displays irregular black streaks along the annual rings. We investigated the color and chemical characteristics in a radial direction of partially black-streaked heartwood samples. Color properties （pH value, inorganic element, extractive content and extractive characterization） were measured in the color co-ordinates CIELAB system. The results show that the black streak part was 12-15 brightness （L^＊） value units less than the normal heartwood. Furthermore, the black streak part had more red （a^＊） but less yellow （b^＊）, hue （h） and chroma （C^＊） than the normal wood. The pH value, ash content and calcium contents of the black streak part were slightly higher than those obtained for the normal wood. The content of the low-polar extractive （n-hexane and ethyl acetate） of the black streak part was considerably higher than that for the normal wood. The blackening process was speculated to be a kind of defense mechanism indicated by remarkable amount ofbioactive compound called tectoquinone.

Pharmacological Prospects of Oxygenated Abietane-Type Diterpenoids from <i>Taxodium distichum</i>Cones

Eight naturally occurring diterpenoids, including 6,7-dehydroroyleanone, taxodal, taxodione, salvinolone, 14-deoxycoleon U, 5,6-dehydrosugiol, sandaracopimaric acid, and xanthoperol were isolated from Taxodium distichum cones and their biological properties evaluated in vitro against six different biological screening targets. Taxodione showed potent activity against a number of different targets, and salvinolone and 14-deoxycoleon U showed remarkable inhibitory activities against prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) and 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17), respectively. These three compounds also showed strong cytotoxic activities against HL60 and K562 human leukemia cells. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds have also been considered. The findings in this study could lead to enhanced pharmacological prospects for the natural abietane-type diterpenoids consisting in conifer cones.