N-(9,11-Dimeth­oxy-4-oxo-2,3,4,6,7,11b-hexa­hydro-1H-pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-yl)benzamide

The title schulzeine derivative, C22H24N2O4, crystallizes with two crystallographically independent mol­ecules of almost identical conformation in the asymmetric unit. The tricyclic core of schulzeine has a fused-three-ring system comprising the tetra­hydro­isoquinoline and δ-lactam moieties. In both mol­ecules, the pyridine ring adopts a twisted-boat conformation, whereas the lactam ring is in a boat conformation. The two meth­oxy groups are slightly twisted from the attached benzene ring [C—O—C—C torsion angles = −21.3 (2) and −20.5 (2)° in mol­ecule A, and −6.3 (2) and −16.2 (2)° in mol­ecule B] and the benzamide moiety is in a (−)-synclinal conformation with respect to the lactam ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into V-shaped dimers by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H⋯O inter­actions. These dimers are stacked into V-shaped columns along the a axis. Adjacent columns are further linked in an anti­parallel manner. C—H⋯π inter­actions are also observed

Isolation of linobiflavonoid, a novel biflavonoid from Linostoma pauciflorum Griff

A novel biflavonoid, that we have named linobiflavonoid, and the known biscoumarin ether, daphnoretin, were isolated from the root extracts of Linostoma pauciflorum Griff. The structure of linobiflavonoid was determined from interpretation of its NMR spectroscopic data and from a comparison of this data with those of known biflavonoids and biflavones. The known flavones, 5,4\u27-dihydroxy- 7,3\u27,5\u27-trimethoxyflavone and 5,4\u27-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone along with stigmasterol were isolated from the vines of the same plant. 4\u27-Dihydroxy-7,3\u27-5\u27-trimethoxyflavone was active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC 3.13 mu M) and KB-oral cavity cancer (IC50 17.41 mu M). (C) 2011 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Medicinal and ethnoveterinary remedies of hunters in Trinidad

BACKGROUND: Ethnomedicines are used by hunters for themselves and their hunting dogs in Trinidad. Plants are used for snakebites, scorpion stings, for injuries and mange of dogs and to facilitate hunting success. RESULTS: Plants used include Piper hispidum, Pithecelobium unguis-cati, Bauhinia excisa, Bauhinia cumanensis, Cecropia peltata, Aframomum melegueta, Aristolochia rugosa, Aristolochia trilobata, Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Vernonia scorpioides, Petiveria alliacea, Renealmia alpinia, Justicia secunda, Phyllanthus urinaria,Phyllanthus niruri,Momordica charantia, Xiphidium caeruleum, Ottonia ovata, Lepianthes peltata, Capsicum frutescens, Costus scaber, Dendropanax arboreus, Siparuma guianensis, Syngonium podophyllum, Monstera dubia, Solanum species, Eclipta prostrata, Spiranthes acaulis, Croton gossypifolius, Barleria lupulina, Cola nitida, Acrocomia ierensis (tentative ID). CONCLUSION: Plant use is based on odour, and plant morphological characteristics and is embedded in a complex cultural context based on indigenous Amerindian beliefs. It is suggested that the medicinal plants exerted a physiological action on the hunter or his dog. Some of the plants mentioned contain chemicals that may explain the ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinary use. For instance some of the plants influence the immune system or are effective against internal and external parasites. Plant baths may contribute to the health and well being of the hunting dogs