Tortuosenes A and B, New Diterpenoid Metabolites from the Formosan Soft Coral <i>Sarcophyton tortuosum</i>

Tortuosenes A and B (1 and 2), possessing new diterpenoid molecular structures, were isolated from the Formosan soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum along with a known cembrane, emblide (3). The structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by TDDFT ECD calculations. Tortuosene A was found to display significant inhibitory effects on the generation of the superoxide anion in N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced neutrophils

Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Formosan Soft Coral <i>Klyxum molle</i> with Inhibitory Activity on Superoxide Generation and Elastase Release by Neutrophils

Eleven new eunicellin-based diterpenoids possessing a cladiellane skeleton with a C-2, C-9 ether bridge, klymollins I–S (<b>1</b>–<b>11</b>), have been isolated from the EtOAc extract of the soft coral <i>Klyxum molle</i> from Taiwan waters. The structures of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>11</b> were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopy (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY). Compound <b>5</b> exhibited cytotoxicity toward several cancer cell lines. Compound <b>5</b> is the first eunicellin-based metabolite bearing a phenyl group and displays significant inhibition of both superoxide anion generation and elastase release in <i>N</i>-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB)-induced human neutrophils

Klymollins A–H, Bioactive Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Formosan Soft Coral <i>Klyxum molle</i>

Eight new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, klymollins A–H (1–8), were isolated during the chemical investigation of the soft coral Klyxum molle from Taiwan waters. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 4 was determined by Mosher’s method. Bioassays of the new metabolites showed that compounds 3–8 displayed significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the expression of the iNOS protein, and compounds 3, 4, and 6–8 also could effectively reduce the accumulation of COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Withanolide-Based Steroids from the Cultured Soft Coral <i>Sinularia brassica</i>

Seven novel withanolides, sinubrasolides A–G (<b>1</b>–<b>7</b>), have been isolated from the cultured soft coral <i>Sinularia brassica</i>. The structures of the new metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of <b>1</b> was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The cytotoxicities of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>7</b> against a limited panel of cancer cell lines also were determined

Simplexins A−I, Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral <i>Klyxum simplex</i>

Nine new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, simplexins A−I (1−9), were isolated from a Dongsha Atoll soft coral, Klyxum simplex. The structures of these compounds were established by detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and by comparison with the physical and spectral data of related known compounds. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by a modified Mosher’s method. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 were found to be cytotoxic toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines. Compound 5 was shown to significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory iNOS and COX-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Withanolide-Based Steroids from the Cultured Soft Coral <i>Sinularia brassica</i>

Seven novel withanolides, sinubrasolides A–G (<b>1</b>–<b>7</b>), have been isolated from the cultured soft coral <i>Sinularia brassica</i>. The structures of the new metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of <b>1</b> was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The cytotoxicities of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>7</b> against a limited panel of cancer cell lines also were determined

Hirsutalins A−H, Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral <i>Cladiella hirsuta</i>

Eight new eunicellin-base diterpenoids, hirsutalins A−H (1−8), were isolated from the soft coral Cladiella hirsuta. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, particularly in 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by Mosher’s method. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 have been shown to exhibit cytotoxicity toward several cancer cell lines. Compounds 2−4 and 8 were found to display significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells by inhibiting the expression of the iNOS protein, with compound 2 also effectively reducing the level of COX-2 protein