2-Acetoxybriaranes from Briareum violaceum

Five 2-acetoxybriaranes, including two known analogues, excavatolides B (1), E (2), along with three new metabolites, briaviolides V–X (3–5), have been obtained from the octocoral Briareum violaceum. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray analysis for the first time and the structures of 3–5 were established by spectroscopic methods. Bioactivity study showed that briarane 3 decreased the release of elastase from human neutrophils.     

New hydroperoxybriarane diterpenoids from the octocoral Briareum violaceum

A known briarane, brianthein W (1), along with four new hydroperoxybriaranes, briaviolides R–U (2–5), have been obtained from the octocoral Briareum violaceum. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by X-ray analysis for the first time and the structures of briaranes 2–5 were established by spectroscopic methods. Bioactivity study showed that briarane 3 decreased the production of superoxide anions from human neutrophils.     

Briarane-Related Diterpenoids from Octocoral Briareum stechei

A known polyoxygenated briarane, briaexcavatolide P (1), was isolated from a Formosan octocoral Briareum stechei. Moreover, the same species B. stechei, collected from Okinawan waters, yielded three chlorine-containing briaranes, including two new compounds, briastecholides B (2) and C (3) as well as a known analogue, briarenol R (4). The structures of 1–4 were established using spectroscopic methods. In addition, briarane 1 demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in lipo-polysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells by suppressing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein.     

A new briarane-type diterpenoid from the South China Sea Gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea

One new briarane-type diterpenoid, dichotellide V (1), along with four known analogues, gemmacolide N (2), dichotellide J (3), junceelin A (4) and junceellolide A (5), was isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea. All of the isolated compounds (1–5) were established by comprehensive analysis of the spectral data, especially 1D and 2D NMR (HMQC and HMBC) spectra. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated.     

南中国海柳珊瑚网状软柳珊瑚Subergorgia reticulata中的多氧化甾醇

Two new polyoxygenated steroids, reticulatic acid （1） and reticulatin （2）, together with a known compound 3,22,25-trihydroxy-16-24,20-24-bisepoxy-3β,16β,20S,22R,24S-cholest-5-ene （3）, were isolated from the CH2Cl2/ EtOH extract of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia reticulata. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute stereochemistry of compounds 2 and 3 was determined by the X-ray crystallographic analysis and the Mosher ester determination.     

Four New Briarane Diterpenoids from the Gorgonian Coral Junceella fragilis

Chemical investigation of the gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis, collected by scuba diving in Taiwan, resulted in the isolation of four new briarane‐type diterpenoids, frajunolides A–D ( 1 – 4 ), along with three known briaranes. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies, especially 1‐ and 2D‐NMR as well as HR‐MS experiments. The inhibitory effect of all isolated metabolites towards superoxide‐anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine/dihydrocytochalasin B (FMLP/CB) was evaluated.     

南海针小月柳珊瑚化学成分的研究

南海针小月柳珊瑚化学成分的研究邓松之＊李凤英彭胜石饶志刚吴厚铭徐竞辉（中国科学院广州化学研究所广州５１０６５０）（中国科学院上海有机化学研究所上海）关键词柳珊瑚，化学成分，提取分离，结构１９９６－１２－１６收稿，１９９７－０６－１０修回中国科学院“八...     

Junceellonoids A and B,Two New Briarane Diterpenoids from the Chinese Gorgonian Junceella fragilis Ridley

Two new diterpenoids, junceellonoids A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with the seven known diterpenoids 3 – 9 , all possessing the briarane carbon skeleton, were isolated from the gorgonian Junceella fragilis Ridley , collected in the South Sea of China. The structures and relative configurations of the new metabolites were elucidated based on extensive spectral analysis and by comparison with known spectral data.     

Terpenoids from a Chinese Gorgonian Anthogorgia sp. and Their Antifouling Activities

Chemical examination of a Chinese gorgonian Anthogorgia sp. resulted in the isolation of seven terpenoids, including two new compounds, an rearranged serrulatane‐type diterpenoid anthogorgiene P ( 1 ) and a guaiazuene‐based terpenoid anthogorgiene Q ( 2 ). Anthogorgiene P ( 1 ) contains an unprecedented cubebane nucleus which is rarely found from nature. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods (IR, UV, MS, CD and NMR). Compound 7 showed potent antifouling activity against the larval settlement of Balanus amphitrite, while 1 and 4 possessed moderate inhibition.     

Three New Polyoxygenated Steroids from Two Species of the South China Sea Gorgonian Muricella flexuosa and Menella verrucosa Brundin

Three new polyoxygenated steroids, muricesteroid ( 1 ), and menellsteroids A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ), were isolated from two species of the South China Sea gorgonian Muricella flexuosa and Menella verrucosa Brundin , respectively. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical methods and comparison with known related compounds.     

Sarcoconvolutums F and G: Polyoxygenated Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Sarcophyton convolutum,a Red Sea Soft Coral

Natural products and chemical analogues are widely used in drug discovery, notably in cancer and infectious disease pharmacotherapy. Sarcophyton convolutum (Alcyoniidae) a Red Sea–derived soft coral has been shown to be a rich source of macrocyclic diterpenes and cyclized derivatives. Two previously undescribed polyoxygenated cembrane-type diterpenoids, sarcoconvolutums F (1) and G (2), as well as four identified analogues (3–6) together with a furan derivate (7) were isolated from a solvent extract. Compounds were identified by spectroscopic techniques, including NMR, HREIMS, and CD, together with close spectral comparisons of previously published data. Sarcoconvolutum F (1) contains a rare 1-peroxid-15-hydroxy-10-ene functionality. Isolated metabolites (1–7) were screened against lung adenocarcinoma (A549), cervical cancer (HeLa) and oral cavity carcinoma (HSC-2) lines. Compound 4 exhibited an IC₅₀ 56 µM and 55 µM against A549 and HSC-2 cells, respectively.     

Isolation,Structural Analysis and Biological Activity Assays of Biselisabethoxanes A and B: Two Dissymmetric Bis-Diterpenes from the Southwestern Caribbean Sea Gorgonian Coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

Two novel dissymmetric diterpenoids, biselisabethoxanes A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the hexane extracts of the gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Biselisabethoxane A (1) represents the first example of a marine-derived C₄₀ dimer made of two distinct diterpene fragments, whereas biselisabethoxane B (2) is a fused heterodimer stemming from coupling of two amphilectane-based fragments. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectral data analysis. The molecular structure of 1 was subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. When evaluated for their inhibitory effects in a series of well-established biological activity assays the isolated compounds were shown to moderately inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Suberoretisteroids A–E,Five New Uncommon Polyoxygenated Steroid 24‐Ketals from the Hainan Gorgonian Suberogorgia reticulata

Five new uncommon polyoxygenated steroids, namely suberoretisteroids A–E ( 1 – 5 ), were isolated from the gorgonian Suberogorgia reticulata, never studied so far. The structures and relative configurations of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral analysis. This work led to the structural revision of some steroids previously found in the Indian gorgonian Gorgonella umbraculum.     

中国南海裸鳃目软体动物美丽拟皮片鳃(Dermatobranchus orna-tus)及其可能的食源动物柳珊瑚Muricella sp.的化学成分研究

从中国南海的裸鳃目软体动物美丽拟皮片鳃(Dermatobranchus ornatus)中分离得到4个eunicellane型二萜: Ophirin (1), calicophirin B (2), 13-去乙酰氧基 calicophirin B (3)及3-去乙酰基-13-去乙酰氧基calicophirin B (4); 而由同时、同地采集到的柳珊瑚Muricella sp. 中则分离得到calicophirin B (2), 13-去乙酰氧基 calicophirin B (3), astrogorgin (5) 及类似物6. 这些化合物的结构经波谱学实验并与文献报道的数据相对照得以确定, 并首次对Ophirin (1) 的NMR数据进行了全归属. Ophirin (1) 的单晶X衍射实验不但进一步确证了化合物的结构, 而且使这一类化合物的立体结构表述得到修正. 本文是对Dermatobranchus属软体动物化学成分研究的首次报道; 研究提示, 美丽拟皮片鳃能通过选择适当的食物, 并将食物中有用的次生代谢产物转移、富集到身体的特定部位, 使之成为自身的化学防性物质. 美丽拟皮片鳃与Muricella 属柳珊瑚中共同出现的类似化合物支持二者间可能存在的捕食与被捕食的生态学关系.     

Cyclobutenbriarein A,the first diterpene with a tricyclo[8.4.0.0(3,6)]tetradec-4-ene ring system isolated from the Gorgonian Briareum asbestinum

Cyclobutenbriarein A (2), a novel class of C20-rearranged diterpene briarane possessing an unprecedented tricyclo[8.4.0.0(3,6)]tetradec-4-ene ring system was isolated, along with five new briarane diterpenoids (1 and 3-6), from the organic extracts of the Bahamian gorgonian Briareum asbestinum. The structures of these secondary metabolites were established on the basis of extensive NMR studies and accurate mass measurements (HRFABMS).     

The Derived Components of Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC. Reduce Quorum Sensing of Chromobacterium violaceum

Gnaphalium hypoleucum DC. was first recorded in the Chinese National Pharmacopoeia “Yi Plant Medicine”. There is no detailed report on its main components’ activity in suppressing the quorum sensing activity (QS) of bacteria. Our study aimed to screen the main components in extracts of G. hypoleucum DC. in order to measure their effects on bacterial QS activity and to explore specific quorum sensing mechanisms that are affected by G. hypoleucum DC. extracts. Crude extracts of G. hypoleucum DC. contained significant amounts of two compounds shown to inhibit bacterial QS activity, namely apigenin and luteolin. Apigenin and luteolin in crude extracts of G. hypoleucum DC. showed substantial inhibition of pigment formation, biofilm production, and motility in Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 compared to the effects of other phytochemicals from G. hypoleucum DC. Apigenin and luteolin exhibited a strong QS inhibitory effect on C. violaceum, interfering with the violacein pigment biosynthesis by downregulating the vioB, vioC, and vioD genes. In the presence of signal molecules, the QS effect is prevented, and the selected compounds can still inhibit the production of the characteristic purple pigment in C. violaceum. Based on qualitative and quantitative research using genomics and bioinformatics, we concluded that apigenin and luteolin in crude extracts of G. hypoleucum DC can interfere with the generation of QS in C. violaceum by downregulating the vioB, vioC, and vioD genes. Indeed, G. hypoleucum DC. is used for the treatment of bacterial infections, and this research provides new ideas and potential alternative uses for medicinal plants.