Eunicidiol, an anti-inflammatory dilophol diterpene from Eunicea fusca

Three new indole alkaloid derivatives from Fissistigma oldhamii Levl. and their anti-inflammatory effects

Three new indole alkaloid derivatives, fissindoalkas A-C (1-3) together with one known biogenetically related polysubstituted indole alkaloid (4) were isolated from the roots of Fissistigma oldhamii (Hemsl.) Merr. The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1-4 against nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were evaluated in vitro using mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Compounds 2 and 3 showed potent inhibitory activities on NO production with IC50 values of 2.52 ± 0.18 and 2.33 ± 0.16 μM. These results indicate that the discovery of indole alkaloid derivatives, from the roots of F. oldhamii, which show significant anti-inflammatory properties, could be of great importance to the research and for the development of novel natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Jellynolide A, pokepola esters, and sponalisolides from the aquaculture sponge Spongia officinalis L

Jellynolide A, an unreported bicyclic diterpenoid with an unprecedented penta-substituted carbon skeleton which implied an irregular biogenic pathway, together with four pairs of rare phosphate triesters, (±)-pokepola ester B-E, one undescribed related racemic furanoterpenoid, (±)-sponalisolide C, one undescribed furanoterpenoid, (-)-sponalisolide D, and two known (±)-sponalisolide B and dendrolasin carboxylic acid were isolated from the aquaculture Spongia officinalis L. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculation of NMR parameters, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The plausible biosynthetic pathway of jellynolide A was proposed. (±)-Pokepola ester C exhibited significant inhibition against Wnt, HIF1 signaling pathways. (+)-Pokepola ester B and (-)-pokepola ester D showed moderate cytotoxicity activities.

Bioactivity and Biotechnological Overview of Naturally Occurring Compounds from the Dinoflagellate Family Symbiodiniaceae: A Systematic Review

Marine invertebrates are a significant source of biologically active compounds. Recent studies have highlighted the role of microbiota associated with marine invertebrates in the production of bioactive compounds. Corals and sponges are the main marine invertebrates producing bioactive substances, and Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates are well-recognized endosymbionts with corals and sponges playing vital functions. The biological properties of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds have garnered attention in the past decades owing to their ecological implications and potentiality for bioprospecting initiatives. This study aims to systematically review studies on bioactivities and potential biotechnological applications of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Our study showed that anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive activities of Symbiodiniaceae-derived compounds have been the most investigated. However, very few studies have been published, with in vitro culturing of Symbiodiniaceae being the most significant challenge. Therefore, we surveyed for the metabolites reported so far, analyzed their chemodiversity, and discussed approaches to overcome culturing-related limitations.

The Oxepane Motif in Marine Drugs

Oceans have shown to be a remarkable source of natural products. The biological properties of many of these compounds have helped to produce great advances in medicinal chemistry. Within them, marine natural products containing an oxepanyl ring are present in a great variety of algae, sponges, fungus and corals and show very important biological activities, many of them possessing remarkable cytotoxic properties against a wide range of cancer cell lines. Their rich chemical structures have attracted the attention of many researchers who have reported interesting synthetic approaches to these targets. This review covers the most prominent examples of these types of compounds, focusing the discussion on the isolation, structure determination, medicinal properties and total synthesis of these products.

Marine Pharmacology in 2012-2013: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis, and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems, and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2012 to 2013 was systematically reviewed, consistent with the 1998–2011 reviews of this series. Marine pharmacology research from 2012 to 2013, conducted by scientists from 42 countries in addition to the United States, reported findings on the preclinical pharmacology of 257 marine compounds. The preclinical pharmacology of compounds isolated from marine organisms revealed antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, antiviral and anthelmitic pharmacological activities for 113 marine natural products. In addition, 75 marine compounds were reported to have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities and affect the immune and nervous system. Finally, 69 marine compounds were shown to display miscellaneous mechanisms of action which could contribute to novel pharmacological classes. Thus, in 2012–2013, the preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline provided novel pharmacology and lead compounds to the clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline, and contributed significantly to potentially novel therapeutic approaches to several global disease categories.

Isolation of iqalisetins A and B from a Tolypocladium sp. isolated from marine sediment from Frobisher Bay in Canada’s arctic

Two new decalin-tetramic acid compounds, iqalisetin A (1) and iqalisetin B (2), were identified from a Tolypocladium sp. isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, in Canada’s arctic. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by NMR experiments. The relative stereochemistry of the decalin skeleton was determined by NOESY experiments and confirmed that 1 and 2 contained a trans-decalin ring system. The absolute stereochemistry of the tetramic acid was determined using Marfey’s method. Compounds 1 and 2 did not exhibit any significant antimicrobial or cytotoxic activity.

Marine Diterpenoids as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agents

The inflammatory response is a highly regulated process, and its dysregulation can lead to the establishment of chronic inflammation and, in some cases, to death. Inflammation is the cause of several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis, and asthma. The search for agents inhibiting inflammation is a great challenge as the inflammatory response plays an important role in the defense of the host to infections. Marine invertebrates are exceptional sources of new natural products, and among those diterpenoids secondary metabolites exhibit notable anti-inflammatory properties. Novel anti-inflammatory diterpenoids, exclusively produced by marine organisms, have been identified and synthetic molecules based on those structures have been obtained. The anti-inflammatory activity of marine diterpenoids has been attributed to the inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB activation and to the modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism. However, more research is necessary to describe the mechanisms of action of these secondary metabolites. This review is a compilation of marine diterpenoids, mainly isolated from corals, which have been described as potential anti-inflammatory molecules.

Corals and their potential applications to integrative medicine

Over the last few years, we have pursued the use and exploitation of invertebrate immune systems, most notably their humoral products, to determine what effects their complex molecules might exert on humans, specifically their potential for therapeutic applications. This endeavor, called “bioprospecting,” is an emerging necessity for biomedical research. In order to treat the currently “untreatable,” or to discover more efficient treatment modalities, all options and potential sources must be exhausted so that we can provide the best care to patients, that is, proceed from forest and ocean ecosystems through the laboratory to the bedside. Here, we review current research findings that have yielded therapeutic benefits, particularly as derived from soft and hard corals. Several applications have already been demonstrated, including anti-inflammatory properties, anticancer properties, bone repair, and neurological benefits.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2012 for marine natural products, with 1035 citations (673 for the period January to December 2012) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1241 for 2012), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.