Polyhydroxylated Steroids from the South China Sea Gorgonian Anthogorgia sp.

Four new polyhydroxylated steroids, namely anthogorgsteroids A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian Anthogorgia sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and comparison with reported data.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

18-oxygenated polyfunctional steroids from the gorgonian isishippuris

Two new 18-oxygenated, polyfunctional steroids ($\text{2}$, $\text{3}$) related to hippurin-1 have been isolated from the gorgonian $\text{Isis}$$\text{hippuris}$ collected off Okinawa and their structures were determined.     

A new antiviral pregnane from a gorgonian-derived Cladosporium sp. fungus

A new pregnane, 3α-hydroxy-7-ene-6,20-dione (1), and five known steroids (2–6), along with one known steroidal glycoside (7) were obtained from the fungus Cladosporium sp. WZ-2008-0042 cultured from a gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea collected from the South China Sea. The structure and absolute configuration of the new compound (1) were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data and X-ray diffraction data. The compound has a rare configuration of 3α-OH that is different from most of pregnanes. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Among them, 1 exhibited potential antiviral activity with the IC₅₀ value of 0.12 mM.     

Subergane‐Type Sesquiterpenes from Gorgonian Coral Subergorgia suberosa with Antibacterial Activities

A new subergane‐type sesquiterpene, named epoxysubergorgic acid ( 1 ), along with seven known sesquiterpenes, were isolated from the gorgonian coral Subergorgia suberosa. The structure of the new compound was determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. The previously uncertain absolute configuration of the known analogues 2 – 6 was determined on the basis of CD, Mosher's method, and through chemical conversions. All compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activities.     

Cytotoxic 19-oxygenated steroids from the South China Sea gorgonian,Pacifigorgia senta

Bioassay guided chemical investigation of the gorgonian Pacifigorgia senta led to the discovery of a new 19-oxygenated steroid, cholesta-5,24-diene-3β,7β,19-triol (1), as well as three known steroids (2–4). The structure of 1 was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including NMR and MS spectra. All of the compounds exhibited cytotoxicities against HepG2, Hep3B, MCF-7/ADR, PC-3 and HCT-116 cell lines, with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.0 to 29.7 μM. It is the first report on the chemical constituents of the coral species P. senta.     

Menverins H–L,New Highly Oxygenated Guaiane Lactones from the Gorgonian Coral Menella kanisa

By further chemical investigation of South China Sea gorgonian Menella kanisa, five new highly oxygenated guaiane lactones, menverins H–L ( 1 – 5 , resp.), were obtained. Their structures were established by employing spectroscopic methods, computer modeling, and comparison of their data with those of related metabolites.     

Juncenolides H – K,New Briarane Diterpenoids from Junceella juncea

Chemical investigation of the Taiwanese gorgonian coral Junceella juncea resulted in the isolation of four new briarane‐type diterpenoids, juncenolides H, I, J, and K ( 1 – 4 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 1‐ and 2D‐NMR. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1 – 4 on superoxide‐anion generation and elastase release by human neutrophils were evaluated.     

Menverins A–D,New Highly Oxygenated Guaiane Lactones from Hainan Gorgonian Menella verrucosa (Brundin)

Four new highly oxygenated guaiane lactones, menverins A–D ( 1 – 4 ), were isolated from the gorgonian Menella verrucosa (Brundin ) from the South China Sea. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. All compounds contain a conjugated α‐methyl‐substituted α, β‐unsaturated γ‐lactone moiety, a C(8)?C(9) conjugated with the γ‐lactone moiety, and an exocyclic methylene group at C(4) (trivial numbering).     

Pintoxolanes A–C,Highly Functionalized 3,14‐Oxa‐bridged Cembranoids from the Caribbean Gorgonian Coral Eunicea pinta

Three new cembrane‐based diterpenes possessing the rare 3,14‐oxa‐bridged moiety were isolated from the hexane extract of a southwestern Caribbean gorgonian octocoral, Eunicea pinta, together with seven known cembranoid diterpenes. The structures of pintoxolanes A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), including their relative configurations, were deduced from spectroscopic data and chemical‐correlation experiments. Experimental evidence hinting to a plausible biogenesis of the 3,14‐oxalane moiety is provided. Preliminary cytotoxicity data for compounds 1 – 3 toward human cancer cell lines are also provided.     

New Steroids and a New Alkaloid from the Gorgonian Isis minorbrachyblasta: Structures,Cytotoxicity, and Antilarval Activity

Two new polyoxygenated steroids, (1α,3β,7α,11α,12β)‐gorgost‐5‐ene‐1,3,7,11,12‐pentol 12‐acetate ( 1 ) and 11‐O‐acetyl‐22‐epihippuristanol ( 2 ), and a new alkaloid, 2,3,5,6,11,11b‐hexahydro‐2‐hydroxy‐1H‐indolizino[8,7‐b]indole‐2‐carboxylic acid ( 3 ), together with three known compounds, 22‐epihippuristanol ( 4 ), hippuristanol ( 5 ), and tryptamine ( 6 ), were isolated from the EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian Isis minorbrachyblasta. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 showed weak cytotoxicity against A549, HONE1, and HeLa cancer cell lines and strong antilarval activity towards Bugula neritina larvae with an EC₅₀ value of 5.8 μg/ml. Compound 5 showed moderate cytotoxicity against A549, HONE1, and HeLa cell lines, and the epimer mixture 4 / 5 (weight ratio 3 : 2) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against A549 and HONE1 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 4.2 and 4.8 μg/ml, which indicated that epimers 4 and 5 might have a synergistic effect on their cytotoxicity against A549 and HONE1 cell lines.     

Pregnane‐Based Steroids from a Formosan Gorgonian Subergorgia Mollis

A new steroid, 11α, 15α‐diacetoxy‐17α‐pregna‐4,20‐dien‐3‐one ( 1 ), and a known one, 17α‐pregna‐4,20‐dien‐3‐one ( 2 ), have been isolated from a Formosan gorgonian Subergorgia mollis. The structures of both compounds were determined on the basis of extensive NMR experiments, including HMQC, HMBC, ¹H‐¹H COSY and NOESY. Metabolite 2 has not been isolated from a natural source before. The detailed ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of 2 are reported for the first time.     

Four new polyoxygenated gorgosterols from the gorgonian Isis hippuris

Four new polyoxygenated steroids (1-4) together with four known ones (5-8) have been isolated from the gorgonian Isis hippuris. The structures of the new compounds have been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion. All of the new steroids showed moderate cytotoxicity against cultured NBT-T2 cells.     

New Eunicellin Diterpenes and 9,10‐Secosteroids from the Gorgonian Muricella sibogae

Bioactivity‐guided isolation of the rare gorgonian Muricella sibogae (Nutting ) yielded the two new eunicellin diterpenes sibogin A and B ( 1 and 2 ), the three new 9,10‐secosteroids sibogol A–C ( 6 – 8 ), together with the three known eunicellin diterpenes 3 – 5 and the five known 9,10‐secosteroids 9 – 13 . Their structures were established by extensive spectral analysis (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, IR, and MS). The cytotoxicity of the isolates 1 – 13 was evaluated in vitro against the selected tumor cell lines P388 and BEL‐7402. All the compounds showed only weak activity against P388 cell lines, with an inhibition rate ranging from 10 to 60% at a concentration of 50 μg/ml, whereas the were inactive against BEL‐7402 cell lines.     

Pregnanes with antiproliferative activity from the gorgonian Eunicella cavolini

Four new natural products (1-4), along with three previously reported metabolites (5-7), all belonging to the pregnane class of steroids were isolated from the organic extract of the gorgonian Eunicella cavolini. The structures and relative configurations of the isolated compounds were determined through NMR spectroscopic techniques and chemical interconversions, while their absolute stereochemistry was determined using the modified Mosher's method. Activity evaluation of 1-7 towards MCF-7 human breast cancer cells showed partial growth inhibitory effects for all metabolites bearing an 11α-acetoxy moiety.     

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.     

Suberosanones A – C,New Metabolites Possessing Cyclopentenone System from the South China Sea Gorgonian Coral Subergorgia suberosa

Two unusual novel bicyclic lactones, suberosanones A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), characterized by the co‐occurrence of cyclopentenone and butanolide rings within the same molecule, along with one tricyclic cyclopentenone derivative, suberosanone C ( 3 ), were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia suberosa. Their structures were unambiguously established by detailed spectroscopic analyses (NMR, IR, and HR‐MS). The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by quantum‐chemical calculations using the time‐dependent density‐functional theory (TDDFT) method. All compounds showed neither antifouling activity against Balanus amphitrite larvae settlement nor antibacterial activity against a panel of bacterial strains at concentrations up to 25 μg/ml.     

Polyhydroxylated Sterols from the South China Sea Gorgonian Verrucella umbraculum

Two new polyhydroxylated sterols, named verumbsteroids A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), along with seven known analog, 3 – 9 , were isolated from the gorgonian Verrucella umbraculum collected from the South China Sea. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by using modified Mosher method with the acetonide derivative of 1 . Compounds 1 and 3 – 5 were found to show cytotoxicities against five human tumor cell lines (HL‐60, K562, HeLa, A‐549, and HCT‐116) with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.76 to 9.62 μM .