Pelseneeriol-1 and -2: new furanosesquiterpene alcohols from porostome nudibranch Doriopsilla pelseneeri

The paper reports the first chemical study of the porostome nudibranch Doriopsilla pelseneeri collected off the Portuguese coast (Atlantic Ocean). Two new furanosesquiterpene alcohols, pelseneeriol-1 (1) and pelseneeriol-2 (2), have been isolated together with known compounds, 15-acetoxy-ent-pallescensin-A (5), and dendocarbin-A (6), from the mantle of the nudibranch, whereas euryfuran (3) and drimane ester mixture 4 were identified in the extract of the internal glands. The structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by extensive spectroscopic studies as well as by comparison with literature model compounds. In order to assess the relative stereochemistry of 1 and 2, full NMR assignment of related sponge metabolite microcionin-2 (8) and of co-occurring sesquiterpenes 9-11, that have been re-isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa, has been also conducted. In particular, the relative stereochemistry of tricyclic sesquiterpene microcionin-1 (9) has now been rigorously assigned by detailed analysis of NOE difference experiments.     

Terpenoid metabolites of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus from the South China Sea

Chemical analysis of the secondary metabolite pattern of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus collected from the South China Sea revealed the presence of both sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids, exhibiting very different structural features. Two new molecules, compounds 1 and 4, were isolated together with known compounds 2 and 3, and chemically characterized. This is the first report of terpenoids from H. sanguineus. The remarkable diversity of metabolites possessed by H. sanguineus supports some recent phylogenetic studies that place the mollusc near the steam of the dorid nudibranch tree.     

Absolute configuration of diterpenoid diacylglycerols from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis

The R absolute configuration at C-2′ of the glyceryl moiety of the natural diterpenoid 1,3-glyceryl esters 1 and 2 has been established by applying the modified Mosher method. These esters have been isolated, together with the corresponding 1,2-derivatives (3 and 4), from different collections of the Antarctic dorid nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis. Surprisingly, such a configuration is opposite to that of all marine terpenoid diacylglycerols so far reported. Compounds 1 and 3 are new natural products closely related to austrodorin 5, already described from the same species.     

Semisynthesis of labdane diterpene metabolites from the nudibranch Pleurobranchaea meckelii

Two isomeric labdane aldehyde metabolites (1 and 2), first isolated from the skin of the Notaspidean nudibranch Pleurobranchaea meckelii, were synthesized in six steps from manool in 19 and 6% overall isolated yields, respectively.     

Palmadorin chemodiversity from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis and inhibition of Jak2/STAT5-dependent HEL leukemia cells

Detailed investigation of the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis has resulted in the isolation of a diverse suite of new diterpenoid glyceride esters (1–16) related to the palmadorins (17–19), including one (palmadorin L (9)) that is the first halogenated diterpene from this well-studied nudibranch. Previous collections of A. kerguelenensis from McMurdo Sound, the Weddell Sea and the Western Antarctic Peninsula have afforded related diterpene glycerides, a natural product class implicated as a chemical defense in nudibranchs. In this paper we describe the isolation, structure elucidation, and stereochemical analysis of sixteen new palmadorins using a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. Palmadorin A (17), B (18), D (1), M (10), N (11), and O (12) inhibit human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells with low micromolar IC₅₀'s, and palmadorin M inhibits Jak2, STAT5, and Erk1/2 activation in HEL cells and causes apoptosis, at 5 μM.     

Kunzeanones A, B, and C: novel alkylated phloroglucinol metabolites from Kunzea ambigua

Three new metabolites, kunzeanones A (1), B (2), and C (3), along with three known compounds, cryptostrobin (4), (+)-spathulenol (5), and (−)-globulol (6), were isolated from the non-polar fraction of the dried leaves of Kunzea ambigua (Myrtaceae), which shows ichthyotoxicity toward a small fish, medaka. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated as condensates of alkylated phloroglucinol with methylflavanone and germacrane-type sesquiterpene, respectively, on the basis of spectral analyses including 1-D and 2-D NMR spectra. The stereochemistries of kunzeanones A and B were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. A sesquiterpene, (+)-spathulenol (5), among the isolates was characterized as the ichthyotoxic principle of the extract.     

New oxygenated diterpenes from an Australian nudibranch of the genus Chromodoris

Chemical analysis of a chromodorid nudibranch has provided two new diterpene metabolites 1 and 2 together with the known metabolites 3-6. In an NMR study, the dialdehyde metabolite 1 underwent facile conversion to cyclic hemiacetals 8-9 on exposure to methanol, a reaction that mimics chemical conversions that may occur during the isolation of some diterpenes from molluscs and sponges. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 8 showed moderate cytotoxicity against P388 cells (IC₅₀=1.2-4.1 μg/mL).     

A chemical defense mechanism for the nudibranch cadlina luteomarginata

The nudibranch Cadlina luteomarginata from San Diego, California, concentrates selected metabolites from the sponges that constitute its diet. Gut analyses revealed that C. leutomarginata consumes at least ten sponges although Axinella sp. and Myxilla incrustans are most frequently eaten. Field observations and analysis of metabolites suggest that keratose sponges Leiosella idia (=Spongia idia) and Dysidea amblia are also consumed. Three novel compounds, the furan 20, the isonitrile 23 and the isothiocyanate 24 were identified by analysis of spectral data. The secondary metabolites of C. leuteomarginata were found only in the dorsum, which is exposed to potential predators. Five metabolites of C. luteomarginata were screened for antifeedant activity against fish and all showed some activity at 10–100 μ/mg in food pellets.     

Four new andrographolide metabolites in rats

Four new sulfonate metabolites of andrographolide, 14-deoxy-12(R)-sulfo andrographolide (Metabolite 1), 14-deoxy-12(S)-sulfo andrographolide (Metabolite 2), 14-deoxy-12(R)-sulfo-9(S)-andrographolide (Metabolite 3) and 14-sulfo isoandrographolide (Metabolite 4), were isolated from urine and feces in rats. Their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic analyses. These four metabolites were formed through a rare metabolic reaction and were all new compounds.     

New sesquiterpenes from the red alga Laurencia microcladia

Three new aromatic sesquiterpenes (1, 2, and 4), one new dimeric sesquiterpene of the cyclolaurane-type (3), one sesquiterpene alcohol of bisabolene type (8) along with three previously reported metabolites (5-7), were isolated from the organic extracts of Laurencia microcladia, collected from the Chios island in the North Aegean Sea. The structures of the new natural products, as well as their relative stereochemistries, were established by means of spectral data analyses, including 2D experiments. The cytotoxicity of the isolated metabolites was evaluated against five human tumor cell lines.     

Novel bioactive diterpenoid metabolites from tropical marine algae of the genus halimeda (Chlorophyta)

Four new diterpenoid metabolites, halimedarial (1), 3, 4 and 5, have been isolated from several species of the tropical green algae Halimeda (Udoteaceae). These new compounds show potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties in laboratory bioassays.     

Chemical studies of marine invertebrates—XLIII: Novel sesquiterpenes from clavularia inflata and clavularia koellikeri (Coelenterata,Octocorallia,Stolonifera)

Two novel sesquiterpenes, 12-acetoxycyclosinularane (1) and 12-acetoxysinularene(2),have been isolated from Clavularia inftata. Their structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and chemical correlation respectively. Moreover, the new aromadendrane sesquiterpene(1R^*, 1aS^*, 4R^*, 7R^*, 7aS^*, 7bS^*, 5Z)-4,4a,7-trihydroxyaromadendr-5-en-8-oic acid methyl ester (19) has been isolated from the related species C. koellikeri. Its structure has been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds are the first sesquiterpenes isolated from Octocorallia of the order Stolonifera.     

Polyketide derivatives of endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. isolated from the Chinese mangrove plant Rhizophora mucronata

A detailed chemical investigation of the minor metabolites produced by the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. isolated from the Chinese mangrove Rhizophora mucronata afforded sixteen new compounds of polyketide origin, including pestalotiopyrones A-H (1-8), pestalotiopisorin A (10), pestalotiollides A-B (11-12), pestalotiopin A (13), and four amides pestalotiopamides A-D (14-17), along with three known compounds, nigrosporapyrone D (9), 2-anhydromevalonic acid (18), and p-hydroxy benzaldehyde (19). The structures of all compounds were unambiguously established from their spectroscopic data that included HR-ESIMS and 1- and 2-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, and by comparison with the literature.     

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.     

Sesquiterpenoid with new skeleton from Chloranthus henryi

Dayejijiol (1), a novel sesquiterpene with a new carbon skeleton, and a novel labdane-type diterpenoid (13S)-13-hydroxy-19-methoxy-5αH-8(17), 14-labdadien (3), together with three known compounds chloranthalactone A (4), shizukanolide (5), shizukolidol (6) were isolated from Chloranthus henryi Hemsl. Their structures were established by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited anti-tumor activities against Hela and K562 human tumor cell lines.     

New diterpenes of the pseudopterane class from two closely related Pseudopterogorgia species: isolation, structural elucidation, and biological evaluation

Parallel chemical investigations of the hexane and chloroform extracts of the sea plumes Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata and Pseudopterogorgia kallos has led to the discovery of seven new diterpenoids of the pseudopterane class, namely, kallolide D (2), kallolide C acetate (3), kallolide E (4), kallolide F (5), kallolide G (6), kallolide H (7), and kallolide I (8), in addition to nine previously described compounds of the pseudopterane and gersolane families of diterpenes. The chemical structures of the new metabolites were established by 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, HRMS, and, in some instances, by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses. Biological screening of these metabolites revealed significant anti-parasitic activity albeit marginal anti-tubercular activity.     

Aigialomycins and related polyketide metabolites from the mangrove fungus Aigialus parvus BCC 5311

Reinvestigation of the secondary metabolites from the marine mangrove fungus Aigialus parvus BCC 5311 led to the isolation of six new nonaketide metabolites, aigialomycins F (4) and G (5a/5b), 7′,8′-dihydroaigialospirol (7), 4′-deoxy-7′,8′-dihydroaigialospirol (8), and rearranged macrolides 9 and 10, along with six previously described compounds, hypothemycin (1), aigialomycins A (2) and B (3), aigialospirol (6), 4-O-demethylhypothemycin (11), and aigialone (12). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analyses of the NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data in combination with chemical means.     

Aromatic butenolides produced by a soil ascomycete Auxarthron sp. KCB15F070 derived from a volcanic island

LC/MS-based chemical screening of fungal extract fraction library led to identification of three 2,3-aryl substituted furanone metabolites (1–3), including one known butenolide glycoside (1) whose stereochemistry remained unsolved and two new compounds gotjawaside and gotjawalide (2 and 3), from Auxarthron sp. KCB15F070, a fungus isolated from a soil sample of the volcanic island Jeju, Korea. Their planar structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS spectrometric techniques, and the absolute configurations of three compounds were solved using a combination of chemical derivatizations and computational analysis of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra.     

Cytotoxic labdane diterpenes and bisflavonoid atropisomers from leaves of Araucaria bidwillii

Chemical investigation of a methanolic extract of leaves from Araucaria bidwillii (Araucariaceae) from Egypt afforded four new labdane diterpenoidal metabolites (1–4) together with one known diterpene, 7-oxocallitrisic acid (5), two triterpenoidal metabolites, 2-O-acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid (6) and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucopyranoside (7), phloretic acid (8), and two methylated bisflavonoids, agathisflavone-4′,7,7″-trimethyl ether (9) and cupressuflavone-4′,7,7″-trimethyl ether (10). The new metabolites 1–4 were unambiguously identified by applying extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies as well as HRESIMS. The relative and absolute configurations of 1–4 were determined using ROESY and the modified Mosher's method, respectively. All isolated compounds were assessed for their antimicrobial, antitubercular and cytotoxic activities. Among the tested compounds, the new labdane diterpenes 1–4 revealed significant cytotoxic activity against mouse lymphoma L5178Y cell line with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.4 to 12.9 μM, respectively.     

Tubakialactones A–E,new polyketides from the endophytic fungus Tubakia sp. ECN-111

Three new isocoumarins and two new phthalides, tubakialactones A–E (1–5), together with three known polyketides including (R)-3,4-dihydro-4-hydroxyl-6,8-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-methylene-1H-2-benzopyran-1-one (6), (?)-5,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone (7), and isosclerone (8) were found in the endophytic fungus Tubakia sp. ECN-111 isolated from the leaves of Houttuynia cordata. The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including extensive 2D-NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 3 and 7 was determined by optical rotation and circular dichroism.