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.     

Anthropogenic and solar forcing in δ13C time pattern of coralline sponges

We present the results of a re-analysis of a previously published carbon isotope data-set related to coralline sponges in the Caribbean Sea. The original interpretation led to the discrimination between a pre-industrial period, with a signal controlled by solar-induced climatic variations, followed by the industrial era, characterized by a progressive δ¹³C negative shift due to the massive anthropogenic carbon emissions. Our re-analysis allowed to extract from the raw isotopic data evidence of a solar forcing still visible during the industrial era, with a particular reference to the 88-year Gleissberg periods. These signals are related to slope changes in both the δ¹³C versus time and the δ¹³C versus carbon emission curves.     

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.     

Euryjanicins E–G,poly-phenylalanine,and poly-proline cyclic heptapeptides from the Caribbean sponge Prosuberites laughlini

A new investigation of the active sponge extracts of Prosuberites laughlini collected off the West coast of Puerto Rico has yielded three new cyclic heptapeptides, namely euryjanicins E (1)–G (3), containing multiple phenylalanine and proline residues. In CDCl₃ solution, each euryjanicin F (2) and G (3) exists as an inseparable complex mixture of conformational isomers. The molecular structures of 1–3 were elucidated by a combination of chemical degradation, extensive ESI-MS/MSⁿ analyses, and 2D NMR methods. The elucidation of the absolute configuration was achieved by HPLC following analysis of the acid hydrolysates after derivatization with Marfey's reagent. When assayed against the National Cancer Institute 60 tumor cell line panel, the new cyclic peptides did not display significant in vitro cytotoxicity.     

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.     

Species Diversity and Secondary Metabolites of Sarcophyton-Associated Marine Fungi

Soft corals are widely distributed across the globe, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, with Sarcophyton being one of the most abundant genera. To date, there have been 50 species of identified Sarcophyton. These soft corals host a diverse range of marine fungi, which produce chemically diverse, bioactive secondary metabolites as part of their symbiotic nature with the soft coral hosts. The most prolific groups of compounds are terpenoids and indole alkaloids. Annually, there are more bio-active compounds being isolated and characterised. Thus, the importance of the metabolite compilation is very much important for future reference. This paper compiles the diversity of Sarcophyton species and metabolites produced by their associated marine fungi, as well as the bioactivity of these identified compounds. A total of 88 metabolites of structural diversity are highlighted, indicating the huge potential these symbiotic relationships hold for future research.     

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.     

Novel ring B abeo-sterols as growth inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from a Caribbean Sea sponge, Svenzea zeai

Assay-guided fractionation of a moderately strong anti-tubercular extract obtained from the Caribbean Sea sponge Svenzea zeai afforded two novel 5(6 → 7)abeo-sterols, named parguesterols A (1) and B (2), as its active components. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.     

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.     

Ileabethoxazole: a novel benzoxazole alkaloid with antimycobacterial activity

Ileabethoxazole (1), a new perhydroacenaphthene-type diterpene alkaloid containing the uncommon benzoxazole moiety, was isolated from the Caribbean sea whip Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data interpretation. Ileabethoxazole showed 92% inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H₃₇Rv) at the concentration range of 128-64 μg/mL.