Lobophytones O–T, New Biscembranoids and Cembranoid from Soft Coral Lobophytum pauciflorum

Chemical examination of a Chinese soft coral Lobophytum pauciflorum resulted in the isolation of five new biscembranoids named lobophytones O–S (1–5) and a new “monomeric” cembrane lobophytone T (6). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopic data in association with MS and IR data. Lobophytone Q showed significant inhibition against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) release in mouse peritoneal macrophages, while lobophytones Q and T showed inhibitory activities against the bacteria S. aureus and S. pneumoniae

Aaptamine-related alkaloid from the marine sponge Aaptos aaptos

A new aaptamine-related alkaloid, 1,3-dioxolo [4,5-d] benzo [de]-1,6-naphthyridine (methylenedioxyaaptamine, 1), was isolated from the organic extracts of the Bornean marine sponge Aaptos aaptos, together with a known aaptamine derivative, 8,9,9-trimethoxy-9H-benzo [de]-1,6-naphthyridine (2). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by interpretation of its spectroscopic data. Two compounds were tested for their cytotoxic potentials against adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells, and compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxic potential

Halogenated Indole Alkaloids from Marine Invertebrates

This review discusses the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological activities of halogenated indole alkaloids obtained from marine invertebrates. Meridianins and related compounds (variolins, psammopemmins, and aplicyanins), as well as aplysinopsins and leptoclinidamines, are focused on. A compilation of the 13C-NMR spectral data of these selected natural indole alkaloids is also provided

Terpenyl-Purines from the Sea

Agelasines, asmarines and related compounds are natural products with a hybrid terpene-purine structure isolated from numerous genera of sponges (Agela sp., Raspailia sp.). Some agelasine analogs and related structures have displayed high general toxicity towards protozoa, and have exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a variety of species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and also an important cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant ones. Of particular interest in this context are the asmarines (tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[1,2,3-g,h]purines), which have shown potent antiproliferative activity against several types of human cancer cell lines. This review summarizes the sources of isolation, chemistry and bioactivity of marine alkylpurines and their bioactive derivatives

Radiographic studies on lumbar spines of steel plant workers in relation to the pathogenesis of low back pain

In recent years, incidence of low back pain (LBP) has been increasing. To clarify the relation between instability of the lumbar spine and LBP in heavy industry workers, radiographic findings were compared with a questionnaire on 2863 workers in a steel plant, as a preliminary study in 1986. In 214 males, 4-direction X-ray examinations of the lumbar vertebrae were obtained and the results were analyzed along with a questionnaire survey. The examined subjects were classified into three groups according to their complaints into : A ; LBP free, B ; LBP moderate, and C ; LBP severe. Degeneration chages of the facet joint, lumbar disc narrowing, angles between vertebrae, and lumbar lordosis were investigated on the X-ray film. In general, the higher the intensity of LBP, the more intervertebral angles at all levels of the lumbar spine and the more severe the degeneration. There was a statistically significant difference between the A and C group in the intervertebral angles at lower levels. Incidence of the lumbar disc narrowing differed between the two groups. The instabilitiy of lumbar spine was found in the C group. Low back pain in the heavy industry workers can be caused by anterior motion factors such as lumbar disc narrowing rather than posterior motion factors such as degeneration of the facet joint