Norbert A. Braun

Western Australian Sandalwood Oil—New Constituents of Santalum spicatum (R. Br.) A. DC. (Santalaceae)

Abstract Commercial Australian sandalwood oil produced from Santalum spicatum (R. Br.) A. DC. roots was analyzed using GC and GC/MS. Seventy constituents were identified: four monoterpenes, 64 sesquiterpenes and two others. Four compounds (Z)-β-curcumen-12-ol, (Z)-12-hydroxysesquicineole,6,10-epoxybisabol-2-en-12-olandnor-helifolen-12-al were found to our knowledge for die first time in nature and were characterized using 1H-, 13C-N M R, GC/FTIR and GC/MS analyses.

New Caledonian Sandalwood Oil—a Substitute for East Indian Sandalwood Oil?

Abstract Three qualities of New Caledonian sandalwood oil were analyzed using GC and GC/MS. Eighty-four constituents were identified: 10 monoterpenes, 72 sesquiterpenes and two others. In addition β-bisabolol/epi-β-bisabolol isomers were isolated and characterized via chiral GC chromatography. Our results indicate that New Caledonian sandalwood oil is much closer related to East Indian sandalwood oil than its Western Australian counterpart.

Isolation and Chiral GC Analysis of β-Bisabolols—Trace Constituents from the Essential Oil of Santalum album L. (Santalaceae)

Abstract The essential oil produced from the heartwood of Santalum album L. was analyzed using GC/MS. Forty-four constituents were identified: one monoterpene and 43 sesquiterpenes. 2,10-Bisaboladien-6-ol (= β-bisabolol/epi-β-bisabolol) was one of the trace compounds found in east Indian sandalwood oil. Chiral GC analysis showed that besides the main stereoisomer, which possessed an (R,R)-configuration, all three other isomers were also present.

Isolation of Anisyl Acetone from Agarwood Oil

Abstract The essential oil of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. was analyzed using GC/MS. The main constituents were found to be agarospirol (12.1%) and jinkoh-eremol (10.0%). Anisyl acetone was isolated as a minor constituent and fully characterized from a commercial sample of agarwood oil.

Two New Bisabolene Diols from the Stem Wood Essential Oil of Vanillosmopsis erythropappa Schultz-Bip. (Asteraceae)

Abstract The stem wood oil of Vanillosmopsis erythropappa Schultz-Bip. was analyzed using GC/MS. Forty-three constituents were identified: 31 sesquiterpenoids, one phenylpropane and 11 others. 2-Bisabolene-7, 11-diol and 10-bisabolene-3,7-diol were found for the first time in nature and were characterized using 1H-, 13C-NMR, GC/FTIR and GC/MS analyses.

Santalum spicatum (R. Br.) A. DC. (Santalaceae)—nor-Helifolenal and Acorenol Isomers: Isolation and Biogenetic Considerations

Abstract Six stereoisomers of nor-helifolen-12-al and four isomers of acoren-11-ol (α-acorenol, epi-α-acorenol, β-acorenol, epi-β-acorenol) were identified for the first time in Australian sandalwood oil.

δ-Terpinyl Acetate. A New Natural Component from the Essential Leaf Oil of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae)

Abstract The essential leaf oil of Laurus nobilis L. was analyzed using GC/MS. One hundred and fifty-five constituents were identified: 76 monoterpenoids, 46 sequiterpenoids, 10 phenylpropanoids and 23 others. 8-Terpinyl acetate was found to our knowledge for the first time in nature and was characterized using 1H-, 13C-NMR, GC/FTIR and GC/MS analysis.

A Step by Step Protocol for Subretinal Surgery in Rabbits

Age related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and other RPE related diseases are the most common causes for irreversible loss of vision in adults in industrially developed countries. RPE transplantation appears to be a promising therapy, as it may replace dysfunctional RPE, restore its function, and thereby vision. Here we describe a method for transplanting a cultured RPE monolayer on a scaffold into the subretinal space (SRS) of rabbits. After vitrectomy xenotransplants were delivered into the SRS using a custom made shooter consisting of a 20-gauge metallic nozzle with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated plunger. The current technique evolved in over 150 rabbit surgeries over 6 years. Post-operative follow-up can be obtained using non-invasive and repetitive in vivo imaging such as spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) followed by perfusion-fixed histology. The method has well-defined steps for easy learning and high success rate. Rabbits are considered a large eye animal model useful in preclinical studies for clinical translation. In this context rabbits are a cost-efficient and perhaps convenient alternative to other large eye animal models.

Localized RPE Removal with a Novel Instrument Aided by Viscoelastics in Rabbits.

Purpose We developed a surgical method for localized and atraumatic removal of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with a novel instrument. Methods Bleb retinal detachments (bRD) were raised with balanced salt solution (BSS) following vitrectomy in 27 rabbits. The RPE was scraped with 3 loop variants (polypropylene [PP], 0.1 mm; PP, 0.06 mm; metal, 0.1 mm) of a custom-made instrument. Stabilization of bRDs with BSS or various concentrations (0.1%–0.5%) of hyaluronic acid (HA) was video analyzed. Perfusion-fixed samples of scraped areas and controls were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Results The bRDs were sufficiently stabilized by ≥0.25% HA. Using the PP 0.1 mm loop with a single forward/backward stroke, an area of ca. 2.5 × 1.5 mm was nearly devoid of RPE, yet did show occasional Bruchs membrane (BM) defects combined with choriocapillaris hemorrhages in 13% of the bRDs. A single scrape with PP 0.06 mm resulted in unsatisfactory RPE denudement, while repeated scraping maneuvers caused more BM defects and hemorrhages. The metal loop resulted in incomplete RPE removal and massive intraoperative subretinal hemorrhages. Histologically, intact photoreceptor outer segments (POS) were observed above the RPE wounds in bRDs. Controls with bRDs alone showed an intact RPE monolayer with microvilli, with few engulfed remains of POS. Conclusions Localized removal of RPE in HA stabilized bRD can be achieved by a PP 0.1 mm loop instrument. Translational Relevance Removal of degenerated RPE may aid RPE cell replacement strategies.