<i>In Vitro</i> Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Norterpene Peroxides Isolated from the Red Sea Sponge <i>Diacarnus erythraeanus</i> on Normal and Cancer Cells

Eight cyclic peroxide norterpenoids, compounds <b>1</b>–<b>8</b>, have been isolated and characterized from the Red Sea sponge <i>Diacarnus erythraeanus</i>, including two new norsesterterpene derivatives (<b>3</b>, <b>4</b>). Among these metabolites, (−)-muqubilin A (<b>5</b>) (nine cell lines analyzed) and the new compounds <b>3</b> and <b>4</b> (seven cell lines analyzed) displayed mean IC₅₀ growth inhibitory concentrations <i>in vitro</i> of <10 μM, while the remaining compounds (<b>1</b>, <b>6</b>–<b>8</b>) were inactive in these cancer cell lines. Compound <b>5</b> displayed no selectivity between normal and cancer cells in terms of <i>in vitro</i> growth inhibition. Quantitative video microscopy analysis carried out on (−)-muqubilin A-treated cells validated the data obtained by means of the MTT colorimetric assay, while flow cytometry analysis revealed ROS production but no induction of apoptosis in cancer cells

In vitro pharmacological and toxicological effects of norterpene peroxides isolated from the Red Sea sponge Diacarnus erythraeanus on normal and cancer cells.

Eight cyclic peroxide norterpenoids, compounds 1-8, have been isolated and characterized from the Red Sea sponge Diacarnus erythraeanus, including two new norsesterterpene derivatives (3, 4). Among these metabolites, (-)-muqubilin A (5) (nine cell lines analyzed) and the new compounds 3 and 4 (seven cell lines analyzed) displayed mean IC₅₀ growth inhibitory concentrations in vitro of <10 μM, while the remaining compounds (1, 6-8) were inactive in these cancer cell lines. Compound 5 displayed no selectivity between normal and cancer cells in terms of in vitro growth inhibition. Quantitative video microscopy analysis carried out on (-)-muqubilin A-treated cells validated the data obtained by means of the MTT colorimetric assay, while flow cytometry analysis revealed ROS production but no induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe