“
“The cytotoxicity of six ent-kaurene diterpenoids isolated from the leaves of Isodon japonica (Burm.f.) Hara var. galaucocalyx (maxin) Hara was evaluated against three human tumour HepG2, GLC-82 and HL-60 cell lines through SRB assay, and their DNA damage potential (against HepG2 cell line) was assessed by comet assay. Among the six ent-kaurene diterpenoids,

Rabdosin B was most cytotoxic, followed by Oridonin, Epinodosin, Rabdosinate, Lasiokaurin and Epinodosinol. All of the six ent-kaurene diterpenoids induced significant DNA damage (p<0.05) to HepG2 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner except Lasiokaurin and Eponodosinol at 6 mu mol L (1) for 24 h. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) were discussed and it was found that exo-methylene cyclopentanone in the molecular structure was important for maintaining the cytotoxicity and DNA damage potential of the

compounds. -OAc group at site C-1 in Lasiokaurin Selleckchem CB-5083 had a higher stereospecific blockade, which made the compound have less cytotoxicity and DNA damage potential than Oridonin (-OH at C-1).”
“To compare health-related quality of life (QoL) before and after surgery for pancreatic disease.

A retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data is presented. A total of 174 patients of 230 planned for pancreatic surgery between March and December 2009 at a German high-volume center completed OICR-9429 concentration the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey preoperatively, 133 of them at 3 months and 83 at 24 months after surgery. Data was analysed according to diagnosis and procedure, and compared to German population norms.

QoL in the study group was worse than that of age-matched

healthy population at all time points. It decreased continuously in the cancer group, decreased early and showed a trend toward recovery late in patients with benign tumors and chronic pancreatitis. Distal pancreatectomy was the best tolerated and total pancreatectomy the worst tolerated procedure. Older age and development of pancreatic insufficiency affected negatively QoL.

In patients with pancreatic disease, diagnosis determined QoL preoperatively and late after surgery, while in the early postoperative period, type and extent of surgery was the leading factor. Total pancreatectomy had see more a profound negative effect on QoL and should be reserved for carefully selected patients only.”
“Morchella esculenta Pers. (Morchellaceae) was investigated for its antioxidant activity by measuring the intracellular reactive oxygen species in HT-29 colon cancer cells. The methylene chloride extract, which showed the highest antioxidant activity, led to the isolation of four fungal sterols, 1-4, and trilinolein (5), in addition to methyl myristate (6), 1-linoleoylglycerol (7), and ceramide (8). The isolated compounds were identified through the analysis of various spectroscopic methods. In the hydroxyl radical assay, 5-dihydroergosterol exhibited significant antioxidant activity.