A new one-step synthesis of hexahydrocannabinoid analogs

Summary A one-step synthesis of hexahydrocannabinoid analogs (HHC) is described making use of the condensation of phenolic ketones and aldehydes with citronellal in the presence of pyridine.Grateful thanks are accorded to Drs L. Chopard and S. Selvavinayakam for spectral measurements and Dr I. Fleming for useful discussion.R. Mechoulam and Y. Gaoni, Recent advances in the chemistry of Hashish, in: Progress in the Chemistry of Organic natural products, vol. 25, p. 175. Ed. L. Zechmeister. Springer Verlag, Wien 1967; R. Mechoulam, Marijuana Chemistry and Pharmacology, metabolism and clinical effects. Academic Press, New York 1973; R. Mechoulam, N. K. McCallum and S. Burstein, Chem. Rev.76, 75 (1976).     

Starfish saponins. Part 101. Further 24-O-glycosidated steroids from the starfishHacelia attenuata

Summary On the basis of comparative spectral data, the structures of 3 novel steroidal glycosides from the Mediterranean starfishHacelia attenuata have been elucidated as3, 4 and5. These are further examples of a novel group of 24-O-glycosidated steroids recently encountered in the same species and in the Pacific speciesProtoreaster nodosus.Part 9. L. Minale, C. Pizza, R. Riccio and F. Zollo, Experientia39 (1983) 567. This contribution is part of the Progetto Finalizzato Chimica fine e secondaria del C.N.R., Roma.Acknowledgments. We thank Prof. K. Nakanishi, Columbia University, New York, for FD-mass spectral analyses, the Centro Interfacoltà di Metodologie Chimico-Fisiche for 270 MHz NMR facilities, and Miss R. Aquino for part of the experimental work.     

Survival and endogenous spleen colonies of irradiated mice after skin wounding and hydroxyurea treatment

Summary Wound trauma-induced survival from radiation may be related to increased mitosis in hematopoietic cells. This is supported by the cell cycle-dependent drug hydroxyurea, which 1. blocked survival of wounded mice injected 2 or 3 days after 900 rad and 2. reduced the number of endogenous CFU-s in wounded mice injected shortly before 700 rad.Supported by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Defense Nuclear Agency, under Research Work Unit MJ00018. Views presented in this paper are those of the authors; no endorsement by the Defense Nuclear Agency has been given or should be inferred.Research was conducted according to the principles enunciated in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Research, National Research Council.     

The activity of monoamine oxidases A and B in gamma-irradiated rabbit brains

Summary The activities of monoamine oxidases A and B towards 5-hydroxytryptamine and -phenethylamine, respectively, were compared in the left and right caudatus, hippocampus, parietal cortex, cerebellum and frontal cortex 6 months after gamma-irradiation (single dose of 23 Gy) of either the right hemisphere or of the whole rabbit brain (in which case, a dose of 16 Gy). No difference in monoamine oxidase A or B activities were found in any of the brain regions.Acknowledgment. This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (12x–5664 and 04x–4145), Hansson's, Lion's, Mångberg's and Sundblad's funds.     

Ferredoxin reductase catalyzes styrene oxidation to styrene oxide

Summary The flavoprotein ferredoxin reductase catalyzed the oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide in the presence of NADPH. This reaction was inhibited by the addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase. The addition of the nonheme iron protein ferredoxin partially inhibited styrene oxidation. H₂O₂ was also able to catalyze this reaction when added to the enzyme in the absence of NADPH.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by C.N.R. (National Research Council), Rome, Italy contract No. 79.03197.04.     

Cyclic AMP concentration in the rat's preoptic region

Summary In rats adapted to a 1212 h light-dark (LD) schedule, cyclic AMP concentration in the preoptic region showed a L minimum and D maximum. No significant fluctuations were observed in the parietal cortex.Supported by grant No. 79.01946.04 awarded by the National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.     

The identification of ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) in 3 species of molluscs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Summary Ecdysterone has been identified in the schistosomiasis vectorBiomphalaria glabrata Say and inHelix aspersa Müller as well as inLymmaea stagnalis L. by chromatography, bioassay, radioimmunoassay, derivatization and by mass spectroscopy. Analysis of the food, faeces and hepatopancreas suggest that the sterol is derived from the diet. The probable function of ecdysterone in relation to calcification of the shell is discussed in this paper.We wish to thank Professor P. Karlson and Dr J. Koolman (Phillips University, Marburg-Lahn, FRG) for providing facilities for RIA. The initial study was begun at the University of Sussex and continued at the Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, while D.L.W. was supported by the Ministry of Overseas Development. London and the Medical Research Council of Great Britain (grant G974/525/T). We thank Mr P. Mellon for the mass spectrum and Dr G.B. Russell for his interest in the earlier part of this study. We also thank Professor E. Scherer and Dr Q. Uwe (University of Essen, FRG) for their help in the irradiation ofL. stagnalis.Gauss Str. 82, D-4630 Bochum 5 (Federal Republic of Germany). Research results usingL. stagnalis were submitted for the Philips Europa Wettbewerb für junge Forscher und Erfinder (1979) in a thesis entitled Zur Frage der Existenz von Steroiden und Gonadoliberin bei der Grossen Schlammschnecke (Lymmaea stagnalis L.): ein Beitrag zur Evolution der Insekten- und Wirbeltierhormone.     

Structural transformation reactions of anthocyanins

Summary Spectroscopic evidence shows that the flavylium cation (1) undergoes hydroxylation to form the carbinol base (2) and can also deprotonate to form the anhydro (quinonemethane) bases (3a and3b). The anhydro bases hydrate to the carbinol base. The carbinol base above pH 6, or the ionzed carbinol base (2a), undergoes diring fission to produce the cischalcone (4).The editors do not hold themselves responsible for the opinions expressed in the authors' brief reports. — Les auteurs sont seuls responsables des opinions exprimées das ces brèves communications. — Für die Kurzmitteilungen ist ausschliesslich der Autor verantwortlich. — Per le brevi comunicazioni è responsabile solo l'autore. — ë . — Solo los autores son responsables de las opiniones expresadas en estas comunicationes breves.Acknowledgment. This research was supported by a grant from the Welch Food Co., Westfield, NY.     

Metabolism of the snailCryptozona ligulata during regeneration of optic tentacles

Summary The biochemical changes in the hemolymph and tissues were followed during regeneration of the optic tentacles of the snailCryptozona ligulata (Pulmonata-Stylommatophora). There is a remarkable increase in total carbohydrates in hemolymph and tissues and glycogen in tissues at the expense of free amino acids and fatty acids. It is clear that ablation of the optic tentacles stimulates carbohydrate synthesis through glyconeogenic routes. The optic tentacles regenerate completely in 18–21 days.     

Identification of an acyclic diterpene alcohol in the defense secretion of soldiers ofReticulitermes lucifugus

Summary The defense secretion of soldiers ofReticulitermes lucifugus has been shown to contain, predominantly, (R)-(–)-(E,E)-geranyllinalool together with germacrene A and -farnesene.This report covers part of a collaborative study with J.-L. Clément, Lab. d'Evolution, Université P. et M. Curie, Paris, to whom we are grateful for supplies of material and discussions. We also thank Dr O.T. Jones for collections ofReticulitermes lucifugus.