This article discusses on the natural compounds from the ant plant (Myrmecodia species, family: Rubiaceae). The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from the tuber of M. platytyrea was fractionated by using medium pressure liquid chromatography, giving eight fractions (F1-F8). Those fractions were evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Fraction F5 was recorded as potent (EC50 = 21.57 ± 1.40 µg/mL). Then, it was purified by using column chromatography (CC) (mobile phase = chloroform: EtOAc). From the CC, ten fractions (F5F1-F5F10) were obtained and compound (1) was isolated from F5F3 via preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC). After spraying with anisaldehyde-sulphuric reagent, compound (1) gave a green TLC spot (Rf = 0.65, 100% CHCl3 , multiple development). The 1 H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (500 MHz, CDCl3 ) was performed to determine the chemical framework of (1). This compound was identified as morindolide, having an iridoid structure. Meanwhile, the mass spectra for compounds (2) and (3) were analysed. The data presented the molecular ion at m/z 375 [M-H]- and 255, suggesting the formulation of 2-(2-methylbutyryl)phloroglucinol glucoside and a flavanone, respectively. From the literature, compound (1) was firstly isolated from a Chinese natural medicine, the dried root of Morinda officinalis (family: Rubiaceae). The flavonoids are also included as the biologically active compounds from Myrmecodia. In short, this is the first occurrence of morindolide from the ant plant.
Flavonoids

Abstract: Solitary adrenal metastasis is a rare presentation in breast cancer and it presents the clinician with a difficult therapeutic dilemma as there are no existing guidelines for optimal management. On literature review, we only found one published case report of solitary adrenal metastasis from infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast. Here we present a case of a 75 year-old lady who presented with a right breast lump which was subsequently confirmed to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma. She underwent a right mastectomy and axillary clearance. Computerised tomography (CT) staging revealed a solitary adrenal metastasis. She was treated with aromatase inhibitors and her tumour markers which were initially raised has now normalised.

Male breast cancer accounts for only 1% of cancers in men and 1% of breast cancers. Cutaneous metastases occur less than 10% of all patients with visceral malignancies and are considered a rare and late event in progression of metastatic disease. A 45-year-old man presented with a lump in the left breast which was confirmed to be infiltrating ductal carcinoma. He underwent a left mastectomy and axillary clearance followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the left chest wall. However, he was non-compliant to adjuvant tamoxifen due to hot flushes. One year later, he presented with biopsy proven cutaneous metastases. Initially he had complete excision of the lesions, however, two months later more skin lesions appeared predominantly over the chest wall and back. Hormonal therapy failed to control the metastases as such he was treated with systemic chemotherapy. He is currently on third line chemotherapy.