Identification of anti-inflammatory diterpenes from the marine gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae

Analysis of the terpene metabolites of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae collected from the Florida Keys has resulted in the identification of a novel hydroxyquinone, elisabethadione (1), as well as new pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins. Anti-inflammatory assays indicate that elisabethadione is more potent than the well characterized pseudopterosin A and E. This report also describes the co-occurrence of pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins, diterpenes with amphilectane and serrulatane skeletons, respectively. This together with our previously described isolation of elisabethatriene as the sole diterpene cyclase product in P. elisabethae suggests that the amphilectane and serrulatane families of diterpenes are derived from the same geranylgeranyl diphosphate cyclase product.     

Phenanthrenes from Juncus atratus with antiproliferative activity

The present study has focused on the isolation and structure determination of phenanthrenes from Juncus atratus Krock. Nine compounds, among them five phenanthrenes, have been isolated from the methanol extract of the plant. Two compounds [juncatrins A (1) and B (2)] are new natural products, three phenanthrenes [juncuenin B (3), effusol (4), and dehydroeffusol (5)], the flavones apigenin (7) and luteolin (8), the diterpene phytol and 13(R)-hydroxy-octadeca-(9Z,11E,15Z)-trien-oic acid (9) were isolated for the first time from the plant. Juncatrin A (1) is substitued with an acetyl group, while in case of juncatrin B (2), an unprecedented acetylene group is connected to the phenanthrene skeleton. The isolated phenanthrenes were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against HeLa, SiHa and MDA-MB-231 human tumor cell lines. Four phenanthrenes (2, 3, 4 and 5) were more effective [IC₅₀s 3.48?μM (2), 2.91 (3), 3.68 (4), and 7.75?μM (5)] than cisplatin (IC₅₀ 12.43?μM) on HeLa cells.     

Bipinnapterolide B, a bioactive oxapolycyclic diterpene from the Colombian gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata

A unique oxapolycyclic diterpenoid, named bipinnapterolide B, has been isolated from the Colombian gorgonian octocoral Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata, and its structure was deduced from spectral and X-ray diffraction studies. Bipinnapterolide B (3) inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Rumphellaone A, a novel caryophyllane-related derivative from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies

A novel 4,5-seco-caryophyllane sesquiterpenoid derivative, rumphellaone A (1), which was found to possess an unprecedented γ-lactone moiety, was isolated from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic method. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of compound 1 was proposed.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with purine analogs. Studies of molecular structure and antiproliferative activity in vitro

A series of tetrachloride platinum(IV) compounds of the general formulae PtCl₄L₂, where L = 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (tp) (1), 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp) (2), 5,7-ditertbutyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dbtp) (3) and 5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(4H)-one (HmtpO) (4) have been prepared and characterized by thermal analysis, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR and IR spectroscopy. Spectral data suggest that the triazolopyrimidines act as a monodentate ligand via the nitrogen atom N(3). The preliminary assessments of antitumor properties of the four complexes were evaluated as in vitro antiproliferative activity against three cell lines: HL-60 human acute promyelocytic leukemia, SW707 rectal adenocarcinoma and HCV29T bladder cancer. PtCl₄(dbtp)₂ exhibits high cytotoxic activity against all human cell lines, whereas the other complexes are only moderately active.     

Discovery of novel sesquiterpenoids from a gorgonian Menella sp.

A novel sesquiterpenoid, menelloide A (1), which was found to possess a new carbon skeleton, and a new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid, menelloide B (2), along with (+)-chloranthalactone B (3), an enantiomer of the known sesquiterpenoid, chloranthalactone B (4), were isolated from a gorgonian coral identified as Menella sp. The structures of sesquiterpenoids 1-3 were established by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the data with those of related metabolites. Sesquiterpenoids 1 and 3 displayed inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anion by human neutrophils.     

Rumphellclovane A, a novel clovane-related sesquiterpenoid from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies

A novel clovane-related derivative, rumphellclovane A (1), which was found to possess a new carbon skeleton, and a new natural clovane, 2β-hydroxyclovan-9-one (2), were isolated from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structures of metabolites 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of the spectral data with those of related clovane analogues. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed.     

New metabolites with antibacterial activity from the marine angiosperm Cymodocea nodosa

Four new metabolites (1-4) have been isolated from the organic extract of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa, collected at the coastal area of Porto Germeno, in Attica Greece. Compounds 1 and 2 belong to the structural class of diarylheptanoids, which have been found only once before in marine organisms [Kontiza, I.; Vagias, C.; Jakupovic, J.; Moreau, D.; Roussakis, C.; Roussis, V. Tetrahedron Lett.2005, 46, 2845-2847]. Compound 3 is a new meroterpenoid, while compound 4, to the best of our knowledge, is the first briarane diterpene isolated from seaweeds, and only the second analog of this class with a tricyclic skeleton. Furthermore metabolite 4 is the first brominated briarane diterpene. The structures and the relative stereochemistry of the new natural products were established by spectral data analyses. The new metabolites were submitted for evaluation of their antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens including methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus, as well as the rapidly growing mycobacteria, Mycobacterium phlei, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Mycobacterium fortuitum.     

Dihydroanthracenone metabolites from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis isolated from Annona squamosa

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis, isolated from Annona squamosa, yielded two new dihydroanthracenone atropodiastereomers, diaporthemins A (1) and B (2), together with the known flavomannin-6,6′-di-O-methyl ether (3). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by high resolution mass spectrometry and by CD spectroscopy. Compounds 1–3 were tested for their antimicrobial activity against a multi-resistant clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus 25697, a susceptible reference strain of S. aureus ATCC 29213 and against Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619. Compound 3 strongly inhibited S. pneumonia growth with a MIC value of 2 μg/mL, and showed moderate activity against the S. aureus multi-resistant clinical isolate and susceptible reference strain (MIC 32 μg/mL), whereas 1 and 2 were not active against the tested strains.     

Briaexcavatolides X-Z, three new briarane-related derivatives from the gorgonian coral Briareum excavatum

Three new polyoxygenated briarane-type diterpenoids, briaexcavatolides X-Z (1-3), have been isolated from the gorgonian coral Briareum excavatum. The structures, including the relative configurations of briaranes 1-3, were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, particularly in 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The configuration of briarane 1 was further supported by molecular mechanics calculations.     

Ten new antifouling briarane diterpenoids from the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea

Ten new antifouling briarane diterpenoids, juncins R-ZI (1-10) were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea. The structures of these new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-10 all showed potent antifouling activities against the larval settlement of barnacle Balanus amphitrite at nontoxic concentrations with EC₅₀ values of 0.004, 0.34, 2.65, 1.61, 3.77, 21.06, 0.004, 0.14, 1.47, and 0.51 μg mL⁻¹. The structure-activity relationship was discussed.     

New cytotoxic sesquiterpenes from the red algae Laurencia obtusa and Laurencia microcladia

Three new sesquiterpenes (1-3), along with five known (5-9), were isolated from the organic extract of the red alga Laurencia obtusa, collected from the coastal rocks of Serifos in the Aegean Sea. A new dimeric sesquiterpene of the cyclolaurane-type (4) along with four previously reported (7, 10-12) metabolites, were isolated from the extract of Laurencia microcladia, collected at Chios island in the North Aegean Sea. The structures and the relative stereochemistry of the compounds are proposed on the basis of their spectral data. The cytotoxicity of the isolated metabolites was evaluated against several cell lines including human tumor cell lines.     

Malonganenones A-C, novel tetraprenylated alkaloids from the Mozambique gorgonian Leptogorgia gilchristi

Three novel tetraprenylated alkaloids, malonganenones A-C (1-3), were isolated from the gorgonian Leptogorgia gilchristi collected near Ponto Malongane, Mozambique. Compound 1 is the first 3,7-disubstituted hypoxanthine to be discovered from a marine source, while 2 and 3 represent the first formamides to be isolated from gorgonians. The unexpected facile exchange of the formamide proton of 2 with a deuteron originating from the NMR solvent used for spectroscopic analysis hampered initial attempts at the structural elucidation of this compound. The anti-oesophageal cancer activities of 1-3 are compared with that of rietone (4), a related triprenylated compound previously isolated from a South African soft coral.     

Cassaine diterpenoid dimers isolated from Erythrophleum succirubrum with TRAIL-resistance overcoming activity

Activity-guided fractionation of Erythrophleum succirubrum for TRAIL resistance-overcoming activity led to the isolation of four new cassaine diterpenoid dimers, named erythrophlesins A-D (1-4). Their structures were elucidated by spectral data to show that they have an unsymmetrical dimeric structure through an ester bond between two cassaine diterpenoids. These new compounds were revealed to have a significant reversal effect on TRAIL resistance in human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells.     

Polyhydroxylated macrolide isolated from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis mangiferae

A new polyhydroxylated macrolide, named mangiferaelactone (1) was isolated from a solid culture of the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis manguiferae, together with ten known compounds [(6S,1′S)-LL-P880α; (6S,1′S,2′R)-LL-P880β; (1′S,2′R)-LL-880γ; (1′R)-dehydropestalotin; (−)-5-carboxylmellein; (−)-5-methylmellein; (−)-5-hydroxylmethylmellein; arabenoic acid; 5,6-dihydro-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one; and the (−)-2-hexylidene-3-methylsuccinic acid]. P. manguiferae was isolated from Hyptis dilatata, a small shrub common in the central region of Panama. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, optical rotation, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy). The absolute configuration of 1 was established as 4R,7R,8R,9S by application of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Compound 1 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6863 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, and 0.5529 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus. No activity was observed for compound 1 against Plasmodium falciparum or Trypanosoma cruzi; likewise, no cytotoxic activity was observed against A2058 and H522-T1 cells.     

Robustolides A-C, three new briarane-type diterpenoids from the female gorgonian coral Ellisella robusta (Ellisellidae)

Three new briarane-type diterpenoids, designated as robustolides A-C (1-3), were obtained from the female gorgonian coral Ellisella robusta. The structures of briaranes 1-3 were elucidated by the interpretation of spectral data analysis and the structure of 1 was further confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Briaranes 1 and 2 were found to show weak activity against the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Briarenolides A-C, briarane diterpenoids from the gorgonian coral Briareum sp.

Chemical investigation on the gorgonian coral Briareum sp. has led to the isolation of six oxygenated briaran diterpenes 1-6, including three new compounds briarenolides A-C (1-3). The structures of 1-3 were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their spectral data with those of related metabolites. Among these metabolites, 1 and 2 are rarely found 9-ketobriaranes. Also, 1 is the first briarane derivative possessing a 20-hydroxy group.     

A trypanocidal diterpene with novel skeleton from Dracocephalum komarovi

A new diterpene, komarovispirone (1) with a spiro-octahydroindene skeleton, was isolated from Dracocephalum komarovi. The structure was elucidated by extensive analyses of spectral data. Komarovispirone (1) showed trypanocidal activity against epimastigote of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis, with a minimum lethal concentration of 23 μM.     

New pentacyclic triterpene saponins with strong anti-leishmanial activity from the leaves of Maesa balansae

Six new triterpene saponins bearing an oxygen bridge between C-13 and C-28 and with pronounced anti-leishmanial activity were isolated from the methanolic extract of leaves of the Vietnamese medicinal plant Maesa balansae. The structure was established on the basis of detailed NMR (COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC, TOCSY and DEPT) and FAB-MS studies along with chemical degradation. All saponins identified contained the same pentaglycosidic side chain, but a different esterification pattern on the triterpenoid part. Biological evaluation of the individual compounds against visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum amastigotes) revealed a much better activity in vitro compared to the reference compound Pentostam^®, which is currently used as first-line treatment for leishmaniasis.     

Absolute configuration and antibiotic activity of neosartorin from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis

Neosartorin (1) was isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis. The absolute configuration of 1, including both axial and central chirality elements, was established as (aR,5S,10R,5′S,6′S,10′R) for the first time on the basis of its electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra aided with TDDFT–ECD calculations. Neosartorin (1) exhibited substantial antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacterial species including staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and Bacillus subtilis with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 4–32 μg/mL. When the toxicity of 1 against eukaryotic cells was measured using a panel of different cancer cell lines such as HELA and BALB/3T3, the average IC₅₀ values exceeded 32 μg/mL.