We thank Prof. Dr. Jia-Mei Li in Henan Agricultural University for the identification of the plant material.The fruits of Melia toosendan SIEB. et ZUCC. (Meliaceae) are a source of bioactive limonoids that can be used as effective pesticides. In this study, two novel limonoids, 6-acetylsendanal and 6-ketocinamodiol, were isolated together with fourteen known compounds, namely four protolimonoids, six trichilin-class limonoids, and four Cseco limonoids. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses (HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR). The bioassay results revealed that eleven of the extracted limonoids exhibited interesting antifeedant activities against the larvae of Pieris rapae with AFC 50 values in the range of 0.11 -1.79 mM. Particularly, mesendanin H, with an AFC 50 value of 0.11 mM, exhibited a higher activity than the positive control toosendanin. Information on new bioactive limonoids may provide further insight into M. toosendan as a source of bioactive components.

A new iridoid glycoside, named 6'-O-trans-feruloyl-8-epiloganic acid, together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora, a traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory-related diseases. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. Bioassay results revealed that twelve of the isolates could obviously inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell lines with IC 50 values from 0.64 to 38.72 μM. Among them, compounds 1 (3.27 μM), 6 (5.23 μM), 13 (1.56 μM) and 14 (0.64 μM) exhibited significantly higher activities than that of the positive control (27.13 μM). Additionally, it was supposed that the presence of the carboxy group at the C-4 position of iridoid glycosides and glycosylation at C-3 position of flavonoids might impact their inhibitory activities against NO production.

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The open-graded friction courses (OGFCs) have a large number of interconnected voids, which may cause serious water damage to the pavement. Hence, the road performance needs to be investigated. In this study, the mechanical properties of OGFCs containing two different fibers (lignin and mineral fiber) were investigated. Based on the procedure proposed by the Chinese specification JTG F40-2004, OGFCs were designed with the asphalt content between 4.1 and 4.7 wt % to find the optimal asphalt content (OAC). The mesh-basket draindown test was used to check the fiber’s stabilization and absorption of bitumen. OGFCs containing the lignin/mineral fiber with OAC would be preferred in terms of the bulk specific gravity. These results indicate that the fiber can bring higher air voids to the OGFCs, and the different specific gravities of fibers may primarily account for the result. Both the lignin and mineral fibers can bring much more asphalts padded in the pores of mineral aggregates and subsequently larger OAC in OGFCs due to their higher asphalt absorption. Performance experiments were carried out to check the dynamic stability and moisture susceptibility of OGFCs containing the lignin/mineral fiber. The study suggests that the lignin and mineral fiber can be used to adjust the internal environment of OGFCs, enhancing the moisture damage resistance and improving the rutting resistance of OGFCs at high temperatures.