Two new glycosphingolipids, temnosides A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from a MeOH extract of the sea urchin Temnopleurus toreumaticus. The proposed structures 1-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-(+)-(2S,3R)-2-[(2‘(R)-hydroxytricosanoyl]amido]-1,3-eicosanediol (1) and 1-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-(+)-(2S,3R)-2-(docosanoylamido)-1,3-eicosanediol (2) were established by FABMS, 2D NMR, and chemical degradation studies.

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The pool of primordial follicles formed in the ovaries during early development determines the span and quality of fertility in the reproductive life of a woman. As exposure to occupational and environmental toxicants (ETs) has become inevitable, consequences on female fertility need to be established. This review focuses on the ETs, especially well-studied prototypes of the classes endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), heavy metals, agrochemicals, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals used in plastic, cosmetic and sanitary product industries etc that adversely affect the female fertility. Many in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies have indicated that these ETs have the potential to affect folliculogenesis and cause reduced fertility in women. Here, we emphasize on four main conditions: polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, multioocytic follicles and meiotic defects including aneuploidies which can be precipitated by ETs. These are considered main causes for reduced female fertility by directly altering the follicular recruitment, development and oocytic meiosis. Although substantial experimental evidence is drawn with respect to the detrimental effects, it is clear that establishing the role of one ET as a risk factor in a single condition is difficult as multiple conditions have common risk factors. Therefore, it is important to consider this as a matter of public and wildlife health.

Bisphenol A (BPA) safety aspects on human health are debated extensively for long time. In the present study, we have studied the toxicity induced by BPA at no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using HepG2 cells. We report that BPA at 100 nM induced cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells as determined by MTT assay at 0–72 h. The toxicity was result of reduced oxygen consumption and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential associated with decreased ATP production. The BPA treatment resulted in increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) content with decreased glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes. BPA derived toxicity is a concern to human health and alternative non-toxic natural products/derivatives or adjuvants that serve as antidote will be relevant. In this context, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) a widely used herb to treat arthritis, rheumatism and to improve longevity for time immemorial is investigated for its antidote effect. Ashwagandha supercritical CO2 extract derived Withanolides (ADW) at 100 μg/ml protect HepG2 cells from BPA induced toxicity by suppressing mitochondrial damage and increased ATP production. Further, cellular MDA content was significantly suppressed with increased non-enzymic and antioxidant enzyme activities. These findings derived from the present study suggest the beneficial effect of ADW in mitigating BPA induced mitochondrial toxicity in HepG2 cells.

The present isolation and identification of napthoquinones from roots of Arnebia nobilis Reichb.f. can lead to the discovery of new anti-skin ageing ingredient in colour cosmetics. Four compounds have been isolated and purified by rigorous column chromatography. The compounds are identified as β, β-dimethylacryl alkannin (AN-I), acetoxyisovaleryl alkannin (AAN-II), acetyl alkannin (AN-III) and alkannin (AN-IV) by interpretation of spectroscopic data. This study is the first to report the isolation of Acetoxyisovaleryl alkannin (AAN-II) from A. nobilis. The IC50 values of the compounds, determined in human skin cells (human dermal fibroblasts and human keratinocytes) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (NIH3T3) varied significantly among the four alkannins. Among the four compounds, β-acetoxyisovaleryl alkannin (AAN-II) significantly inhibited hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced red blood corpuscle haemolysis and cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. Collagen-I, elastin and involucrin syntheses in human dermal fibroblasts or keratinocytes were up regulated by AAN-II. These results support the potential utility of alkannins as novel anti-ageing ingredients.