Antiplasmodial cembradiene diterpenoids from a Southwestern Caribbean gorgonian octocoral of the genus Eunicea

Five new representatives of the cembrane class of marine natural products have been isolated as minor metabolites from an undescribed species of Eunicea, a sea whip collected near the Colombian Southwestern Caribbean Sea. The structure of the crystalline metabolite 1 was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structures could then be proposed for cembradienes 2-5 by comprehensive spectral analyses involving 2D NMR, IR, UV, and high-resolution mass spectrometry, as well as chemical interconversion studies. Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxicity in the NCI 3-cell line panel human cancer screening program, whereas compounds 1, 2 and 4 displayed significant antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.     

New lipids from the soft corals of the Andaman Islands

Sphingolipids and glycolipids including previously unknown (2S,3S,4R)-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-(2-(R)-hydroxyoctadecanoylamino)octadec-8E-ene, (2S,3R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-octadecanoylamino-4E,8E-hexadecadiene, and (2-hydroxy-3-hexadecyloxypropyl)--L-fucopyranoside were isolated from soft corals collected on the shelf near the Andaman Islands (Indian Ocean). The structures of all compounds were established by spectroscopic methods and chemical analyses. The lipids possessed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae, and Candida albicans.     

Sarcophytolides G–L,New Biscembranoids from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton elegans

Six new biscembranoids, namely, sarcophytolides G–L ( 1 – 6 , resp.), together with six known analogs, were isolated from a marine soft coral Sarcophyton elegans. The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopic analysis together with the aid of MS, CD, and IR data. The unusual isobiscembranoid sarcophytolide G ( 1 ) was found for the first time in the genus Sarcophyton.     

Penimethavone A,a flavone from a gorgonian-derived fungus Penicillium chrysogenum

A novel flavone, penimethavone A (1), possessing a rare unique methyl group at ring-B, was isolated from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum cultured from a gorgonian Carijoa sp. collected from the South China Sea. The structure was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compound. Compound 1 showed selective and moderate cytotoxicity against cervical cancer (HeLa) and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 8.41 and 8.18 μM, respectively.     

Polyoxygenated Klysimplexane- and Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Briareum violaceum

Three new polyoxygenated diterpenoids with a rare 4-isopropyl-1,5,8a-trimethylperhydrophenanthrane structure of the klysimplexane skeleton, briarols A‒C (1‒3), and one eunicellin-based diterpenoid, briarol D (4), were isolated from Briareum violaceum, a gorgonian inhabiting Taiwanese waters. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by employing extensive analyses of NMR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) data. Metabolites 1‒3 were found to possess the rarely found skeleton of the diterpenoid klysimplexin T. All isolated compounds showed very weak cytotoxic activity against the growth of three cancer cell lines. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for briarols A‒C from the coexisting eunicellin diterpenoid briarol D (4) was postulated.     

Crassolide Suppresses Dendritic Cell Maturation and Attenuates Experimental Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI)-dependent autoantibodies, with vascular thrombosis or obstetrical complications. Around 20% of APS patients are refractory to current treatments. Crassolide, a cembranoid diterpene extracted from soft corals, is a potential therapeutic candidate. Here, to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of crassolide, we first determined its effects on bone marrow-derived and splenic dendritic cells (DC). Specifically, we applied lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or β2GPI stimulation and measured the expressions of CD80 and CD86, and secretions of cytokines. We also determined in the OT-II mice, if bone marrow-derived DC was able to stimulate antigen-specific T cells. Moreover, we examined the therapeutic potential of crassolide postimmunization in a murine model of APS that depended on active immunization with β2GPI. The vascular manifestations were evaluated in terms of fluorescein-induced thrombi in mesenteric microvessels, whereas the obstetric manifestations were evaluated based on the proportion of fetal loss after pregnancy. We also measured blood titers of anti-β2GPI antibody, splenic cell proliferative responses and cytokine secretions after β2GPI stimulation ex vivo. Finally, we determined in these mice, hematological, hepatic and renal toxicities of crassolide. Crassolide after LPS stimulation suppressed DC maturation and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 and IL-23, and downstream T cell activation. Crassolide could partially ameliorate both the vascular and obstetric manifestations of APS in BALB/c mice. Both blood titers of anti-β2GPI antibody and splenic cell proliferation after β2GPI stimulation were reduced. Splenic Th1 and Th17 responses were also lowered after β2GPI stimulation. Finally, within therapeutic doses of crassolide, we found no evidence of its toxicity. In conclusion, we showed the ability of crassolide to suppress DC and downstream T cell responses. Crassolide is therefore a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy in APS.     

Verticillane‐Type Diterpenoids and an Eudesmanolide‐Type Sesquiterpene from the Formosan Soft Coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata

Four new diterpenes, cespihypotins W–Z ( 1 – 4 ), having the verticillane skeleton and characterized by an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐hydroxycyclopentanone moiety, and a new eudesmanolide‐type sesquiterpene, cespilactam A ( 5 ), containing an α,β‐unsaturated γ‐lactam residue, were isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble fraction of the Taiwanese soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata. The structure and relative configuration of these metabolites was elucidated through extensive interpretation of MS, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds.     

New 19-oxygenated steroid from the South China Sea gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea

A new 19-oxygenated steroid, 25-acetate-nebrosteroid K (1), and five known steroids (2–6), along with one known 19-hydroxy steroidal glycoside (7) were obtained from the gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea collected from the South China Sea. The structure and relative configuration of 1 were elucidated by using comprehensive spectroscopic data including NOESY spectra. Compound 1 represents the first example of 19-oxygenated steroid with a 19-oic acid methyl ester group isolated from gorgonians. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for lethal activity to brine shrimp Artemia salina and cytotoxicity against A549 and HL-60 cell lines. Among them, 1 showed strong lethality towards A. salina.     

5-epi-Sinuleptolide from Soft Corals of the Genus Sinularia Exerts Cytotoxic Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines via the Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3, AKT,and ERK Activity

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies: more than half of patients are diagnosed with a metastatic disease, which is associated with a five-year survival rate of only 3%. 5-epi-Sinuleptolide, a norditerpene isolated from Sinularia sp., has been demonstrated to possess cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. However, the cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells and the related mechanisms are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-pancreatic cancer potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The inhibitory effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells were determined and the results showed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide treatment inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and suppressed the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. The results of western blotting further revealed that 5-epi-sinuleptolide could inhibit JAK2/STAT3, AKT, and ERK phosphorylation, which may account for the diverse cytotoxic effects of 5-epi-sinuleptolide. Taken together, our present investigation unveils a new therapeutic and anti-metastatic potential of 5-epi-sinuleptolide for pancreatic cancer treatment.     

Sarcoglycosides A – C,New O‐Glycosylglycerol Derivatives from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton infundibuliforme

Chemical examination of the soft coral Sarcophyton infundibuliforme collected from the South China Sea resulted in the isolation of the three new O‐glycosylglycerol derivatives sarcoglycosides A–C ( 1 – 3 ), together with two known compounds, chimyl alcohol ( 4 ) and hexadecanol ( 5 ). Their structures were elucidated by combined spectral and chemical methods. All the compounds showed moderate toxicity to brine shrimps Artemia salina.