No abstract

Six triterpenes and eight limonoids were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit the growth of three human tumour cell lines, breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H460) and melanoma (A375-C5). The mechanisms involved in the observed cell growth arrest of the four most potent compounds were carried out by studying their effect in cell cycle profile and programmed cell death. The results showed that one triterpene (odoratol) and two limonoids (gedunin and cedrelone) caused cell cycle arrest while only the limonoids gedunin and cedrelone were found to be very potent inducers of apoptosis.

We report the first observation of sclerosteosis in Spain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of sclerosteosis in a person of Mediterranean origin with no known Dutch ancestors. He has the characteristic phenotype of the disease with right facial nerve palsy and syndactyly and the typical radiological features, including generalised bone sclerosis and cortical widening of the tubular bones.

The activities of two triterpenoids, ocotillone and cabraleadiol, and four limonoids, methyl angolensate, 3-β-deacetylfi ssinolide, 7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin, and β-photogedunin, isolated from arillus of Carapa guianensis and fruits and seeds of Cabralea canjerana (Meliaceae), were evaluated against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. Gedunin was used as a positive control. 7-Deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin and β-photogedunin reduced the pupal weight as occurred with gedunin. Cabraleadiol, 3-β-deacetylfi ssinolide, and 7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin prolonged the larval phase similar to the control (gedunin) of approximately 1.2 days at 50.0 mg kg-1. The highest insecticidal activity was obtained for β-photogedunin.

UK variety used as reference. Bioassays were conducted to evaluate the development and fecundity of both aphids when grown on the wheat genotypes. Although BRS Guabiju and BRS Timbau´va were among the genotypes showing the highest susceptibility and resistance, respectively, against both aphid species, no correlation could be found between DIMBOA levels and antibiosis effects. The cultivar BRS 327 was among the genotypes showing lower intrinsic rate of population increase for the two aphid species. Elucidating the role of secondary metabolites in plant resistance to aphids and the characterization of the genotypes that allowed reduced development of R. padi and S. avenae are important steps to achieve a better natural resistance in hexaploid Brazilian wheat.