Selaginella P. Beauv. is a group of vascular plants in the family Selaginellaceae Willk., found worldwide and numbering more than 700 species, with some used as foods and medicines. The aim of this paper was to compare methanolic (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of eight Selaginella species on the basis of their composition and biological activities. Six of these Selaginella species are underinvestigated. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) analysis, we identified a total of 193 compounds among the tested Selaginella species, with flavonoids predominating. MeOH extracts recovered more constituents that were detected, including selaginellins, the occurrence of which is only typical for this plant genus. Of all the tested species, Selaginellaapoda contained the highest number of identified selaginellins. The majority of the compounds were identified in S. apoda, the fewest compounds in Selaginellacupressina. All the tested species demonstrated antioxidant activity using oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) assay, which showed that MeOH extracts had higher antioxidant capacity, with the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 12 ± 1 (Selaginellamyosuroides) to 124 ± 2 (Selaginellacupressina) mg/L. The antioxidant capacity was presumed to be correlated with the content of flavonoids, (neo)lignans, and selaginellins. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was mostly discerned in DCM extracts and was only exhibited in S. myosuroides, S. cupressina, Selaginellabiformis, and S. apoda extracts with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) in the range of 19 ± 3 to 62 ± 1 mg/L. Substantial cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines was demonstrated by the MeOH extract of S. apoda, where the ratio of the IC50 HEK (human embryonic kidney) to IC50 HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) was 7.9 ± 0.2. MeOH extracts inhibited the production of nitrate oxide and cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, S. biformis halved the production of NO, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 at the following concentrations: 105 ± 9, 11 ± 1, and 10 ± 1 mg/L, respectively. Our data confirmed that extracts from Selaginella species exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and AChE inhibition. The activity observed in S. apoda was the most promising and is worth further exploration.

The moss flora of Camiguin Island, based on a 2007 expedition conducted by the author, totaled 129 species in 66 genera and 29 families. This represents 17.36% of the 743 moss species and 26.83% of the 246 genera of mosses reported for the Philippines (Linis & Tan 2008). Of these, one taxon, Aerobryopsis cochlearifolia Dix., is reported for the first time in the archipelago. Floristically, Camiguin moss flora is identified more with Mindoro and Luzon within the Philippine archipelago. Likewise, the presence of moss taxa such as Glossadelphus hermaphroditus Fleisch. and Orthomnion javense (Fleisch.) T. Kop. highlights the role of Mindanao in enriching the moss flora of Camiguin Island. Finally, the importance of remaining forests on the island as a proposed protected area is discussed.

The objective of this research was to find the possible pharmacognosy of the bark of the Philippine Alstonia macrophylla Wall. ex G.Don (AM). Gas chromatographic–mass spectral (GC–EI-MS) characterization and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed to detect the bioactive constituents. EDX analysis of AM bark displayed a high content of potassium (3.26%) and calcium (2.96%). Eight constituents were detected in AM crude dichloromethane (DCM) extracts, which consisted of a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid (17:0) and fatty acid esters such as ethyl hexadecanoate and methyl hexadecanoate. Extraction of AM bark using methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (MeOH/DMSO) solvents resulted in the identification of 17 constituents, principally alkaloids (alstonerine, 34.38%; strictamin, 5.23%; rauvomitin, 4.29%; and brucine, 3.66%) and triterpenoids (γ-sitosterol, 3.85%; lupeol, 3.00%; 24-methylenecycloartanol, 2.81%; campesterol, 2.71%; β-amyrin, 2.30%; and stigmasterol, 2.13%). MeOH/DMSO samples of AM were used in the selected bioassays. The samples exhibited efficient free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 0.71 mg/mL) and were noncytotoxic to normal HDFn (IC 50 > 100 μg/mL) and neoplastic THP-1 cell lines (IC 50 = 67.22 μg/mL) while highly degenerative to MCF-7 (IC 50 = 6.34 μg/mL), H69PR (IC 50 = 7.05 μg/mL), and HT-29 (IC 50 = 9.10 μg/mL). Most interestingly, the AM samples inhibited the northern Philippine Cobra’s ( Naja philippinensis Taylor) venom (IC 50 = 297.27 ± 9.33 μg/mL) through a secretory phospholipase A 2 assay.

A Triterpene and a Depside from Parmotrema austrocetratum Elix and J. Johnst. ABSTRACT Introduction: Parmotrema austrocetratum Elix and J. Johnst. (syn. Rimelia austrocetrata Elix and J. Johnst.) which belongs to a large genus of lichenized fungi, Parmotrema Massalongo under family Parmeliaceae was investigated for its chemical constituents. Methods: The compounds were isolated by silica gel chromatography and their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. Results: Chemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of Parmotrema austrocetratum Elix and J. Johnst. has led to the isolation of zeorin (1) and atranorin (2). Conclusion: P. austrocetratum shares similar chemical characteristic with other Parmotrema species which afforded atranorin. This work highlights the first reported isolation of 1 from P. austrocetratum and the genus Parmotrema. ABSTRACT SUMMARY • Chemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of P. austrocetratum has led to the isolation of zeorin (1) and atranorin (2). This is the first report on the isolation of 1 from P. austrocetratum and the genus Parmotema.Consolacion Y. Ragasa: Full Professor 10

Eight new taxa are added to the Philippine moss flora: Acroporium rigens (Broth. ex Dixon) Dixon, Braunfelsia plicata (Sande Lac.) Broth., Brotherella fauriei (Cardot) Broth., Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum (Hedw.) P.C.Chen, Gammiella pterogonoides (Griff.) Broth., Oxyrrhynchium hians (Hedw.) Loeske, Pterogonidium pulchellum Hook. and Vesicularia ferriei (Cardot & Thér.) Broth. The genus Pterogonidium is new to the Philippine flora.