New cyclitol derivative from a spongeSarcotragusspecies

Biosynthesis of cyclitols

Review covering up to 2021Cyclitols derived from carbohydrates are naturally stable hydrophilic substances under ordinary physiological conditions, increasing the water solubility of whole molecules in cells. The stability of cyclitols is derived from their carbocyclic structures bearing no acetal groups, in contrast to sugar molecules. Therefore, carbocycle-forming reactions are critical for the biosynthesis of cyclitols. Herein, we review naturally occurring cyclitols that have been identified to date and categorize them according to the type of carbocycle-forming enzymatic reaction. Furthermore, the cyclitol-forming enzymatic reaction mechanisms and modification pathways of the initially generated cyclitols are reviewed.

Metabolomics with multi-block modelling of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance in order to discriminate Haplosclerida marine sponges

A comprehensive metabolomic strategy, integrating ¹H NMR and MS-based multi-block modelling in conjunction with multi-informational molecular networking, has been developed to discriminate sponges of the order Haplosclerida, well known for being taxonomically contentious. An in-house collection of 33 marine sponge samples belonging to three families (Callyspongiidae, Chalinidae, Petrosiidae) and four different genera (Callyspongia, Haliclona, Petrosia, Xestospongia) was investigated using LC-MS/MS, molecular networking, and the annotations processes combined with NMR data and multivariate statistical modelling. The combination of MS and NMR data into supervised multivariate models led to the discrimination of, out of the four genera, three groups based on the presence of metabolites, not necessarily previously described in the Haplosclerida order. Although these metabolomic methods have already been applied separately, it is the first time that a multi-block untargeted approach using MS and NMR has been combined with molecular networking and statistically analyzed, pointing out the pros and cons of this strategy.

New marine natural products from sponges (Porifera) of the order Dictyoceratida (2001 to 2012); a promising source for drug discovery, exploration and future prospects

The discovery of new drugs can no longer rely primarily on terrestrial resources, as they have been heavily exploited for over a century. During the last few decades marine sources, particularly sponges, have proven to be a most promising source of new natural products for drug discovery. This review considers the order Dictyoceratida in the Phylum Porifera from which the largest number of new marine natural products have been reported over the period 2001-2012. This paper examines all the sponges from the order Dictyoceratida that were reported as new compounds during the time period in a comprehensive manner. The distinctive physical characteristics and the geographical distribution of the different families are presented. The wide structural diversity of the compounds produced and the variety of biological activities they exhibited is highlighted. As a representative of sponges, insights into this order and avenues for future effective natural product discovery are presented. The research institutions associated with the various studies are also highlighted with the aim of facilitating collaborative relationships, as well as to acknowledge the major international contributors to the discovery of novel sponge metabolites. The order Dictyoceratida is a valuable source of novel chemical structures which will continue to contribute to a new era of drug discovery.

Sesquiterpenoids and xanthones derivatives produced by sponge-derived fungus Stachybotry sp. HH1 ZSDS1F1-2

A new (2) and four known (1, 8-10) sesquiterpenoids, two new (3 and 4) and eight known (5-7, 11-15) xanthone derivatives were isolated from the cultures of sponge-derived fungus Stachybotry sp. HH1 ZDDS1F1-2. The structure of the compounds 1-15 was determined mainly by analysis of the one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic data and by analogy with the data of those reported. Compound 1 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxic, antiinflammatory and antiviral (EV71) effects. Compounds 5, 7 and 11 showed significant cytotoxicity against selected human tumor cell lines. Compounds 3, 4 and 11 also displayed significant inhibitory activity against cycloooxygenase (COX-2). Compounds 4, 5 and 11 showed activities against intestinal virus EV71.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2011 for marine natural products, with 870 citations (558 for the period January to December 2011) 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 (1152 for 2011), 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.