A novel Salvialactomine from the callus culture of Salvia santolinifolia Boiss
Abstract A novel compound Salvialactomine (1) along with two other unusual occurring natural products Pentatriacontanoic acid 1, 3-dihydroxypropyl ester (2) and 5-Methylflavone (3) were isolated from the callus of Salvia santolinifolia Boiss. Callus was initiated on MS medium containing NAA (0.5 mg/L) and further sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA with BA (0.5 + 1.5 mg/L). The structures of isolated compounds were determined by using mass spectrometry, 1D, and 2D–NMR techniques. Compounds 1, and 3 were tested for two different cancer cell lines, i.e. Hela (Cervical cancer cell) and PC-3 (Prostate cancer cells). IC50 was found as > 30 using Doxorobicin (0.912 ± 0.12 μmol L−1) as a standard.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Volatile Oil of Salvia santolinifolia Boiss. From Southeast of Iran
Background: 
Salvia santolinifolia 
is a medicinal plant, traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation, 
hypercholesterolemia, hemorrhoids and diarrhea. Discovery of new natural 
antimicrobial agents is necessary because of microorganism’s resistance to 
common antibiotics. 
Methods: 
Essential oil of S. santolinifolia was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. 
Antibacterial, antifungal and general toxic activities of the essential oil 
were also evaluated. 
Results: 
Chemical analysis of the oil revealed that α-pinene (49.3%), 
β-eudesmol (20.0%), camphene (7.8%) and limonene (7.7%) are the major 
components of the essential oil of S. santolinifolia. The inhibition 
zones ranged from 11.5 to 23.8 mm. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the oil 
obtained from 200 to 800 µg/ml against several microbial strains. 
Conclusion: Our 
results showed that the volatile oil of S. santolinifolia could be 
considered as a rich source of natural agents for several uses as antibiotics 
against human pathogenic microbes.
Randi Weingarten, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Challenges of Policy Leadership in a Hostile Environment
Randi Weingarten is the president of the most vocal and influential teachers’ union, the American Federation of Teachers. Since rising through the ranks to AFT president in just two years, Weingarten is now a major, if not the most prominent, nongovernmental player in national education policy. She has earned deep respect from many educational policy actors. Likewise, Weingarten elicits withering criticism from others. This fascinating profile explains why, in such a brief period, she has proved to be a fierce, fearless, and effective leader under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Her experience offers invaluable lessons applicable for others working in similarly intense policy arenas.