New Cembranoids and a Biscembranoid Peroxide from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri

Lanostane triterpenoids with anti-proliferative and PTP1B/α-glucosidase inhibitory activities from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma calidophilum

Twelve previously undescribed and four known lanostane triterpenoids were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma calidophilum. The structures of undescribed compounds, ganodecalones H-S (1-12), were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as ECD and NMR calculations. Compound 4 showed significant inhibitory activity against human leukaemia cell line K562, gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901, and cervical cancer cell line HeLa with IC50 values of 13.10 ± 0.19, 17.26 ± 4.75, and 4.36 ± 0.58 μM, respectively. Compound 16 exhibited inhibitory potency against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 30.2 ± 0.13 μM and 120.6 ± 0.14 μM, respectively. The binding sites and interactions of 16 with PTP1B and α-glucosidase were revealed using molecular docking simulations.

Isosarcophytoxide Derivatives with a 2,5-Dihydrofuran Moiety from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton cinereum

The present chemical investigation on the organic extract of the soft coral Sarcophyton cinereum has contributed to the isolation of four new cembranoids: 16β- and 16α-hydroperoxyisosarcophytoxides (1 and 2), 16β- and 16α-methoxyisosarcophytoxides (3 and 4), and a known cembranoid, lobocrasol (5). The structures of all isolates were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Their structures were characterized by a 2,5-dihydrofuran moiety, of which the relative configuration was determined by DU8-based calculation for long-range coupling constants (⁴J_H,H). The cytotoxicity and immunosuppressive activities of all isolates were evaluated in this study.

MS/MS Molecular Networking Unveils the Chemical Diversity of Biscembranoid Derivatives, Neutrophilic Inflammatory Mediators from the Cultured Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

Biscembranoids are the distinctive tetraterpenoids owing a 14/6/14 membered tricyclic scaffold that have been mainly discovered in the soft corals, especially the genera Sarcophyton, Lobophytum and Sinularia. Recent findings have demonstrated the great anti-inflammatory potential of biscembranoid analogues in human neutrophils, motivating more chemical and biological explorations targeting these marine-derived natural products. In the current study, the chemical diversity of biscembranoids derived from the cultured-type Sarcophyton trocheliophorum von Marenzeller was illustrated through MS/MS molecular networking (MN) profiling approach. Based on the MN patterns, the prioritization of unknown biscembranoid derivatives was putatively analyzed. As a result, the biscembrane targeting isolation afforded two new metabolites, sarcotrochelides A (1) and B (2), along with six known analogues (3-8). Their structures and relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods. In vitro neutrophil inflammatory inhibition was further investigated for all isolates based on reduced superoxide anion (O₂^•-) generation detections. Compounds 5-8 showed significant dose-dependently inhibitory effects, suggesting the cruciality of 6,7-dihydrooxepin-2(5H)-one moiety and saturated γ-lactone ring in their reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent anti-inflammatory properties.

Biogenetic and biomimetic synthesis of natural bisditerpenoids: hypothesis and practices

Covering: up to March 2022Bisditerpenoids, or diterpenoid dimers, are a group of natural products with high structural variance, deriving from homo- or hetero-dimeric coupling of two diterpenoid units. They usually possess complex architectures resulting from the diversity of monomeric diterpenoids as building blocks and the dimerization processes. These compounds have attracted the attention of synthetic and biological scientists owing to the rarity of their natural origin and their significant biological activities. Herein, we provide a review highlighting some of the interesting bisditerpenoids reported since 1961 and showcase the chemical diversity in both their structures and biosynthesis, as well as their biological functions. This review focuses on the biosynthetic dimerization pathways of interesting molecules and their biomimetic synthesis, which may act as useful inspiration for the discovery and synthesis of more bisditerpenoids and further pharmacological investigations.

Populusene A, an Anti-inflammatory Diterpenoid with a Bicyclo[8,4,1]pentadecane Scaffold from Populus euphratica Resins

Populusene A (1), an unprecedented carbon skeleton featuring a bicyclo[8.4.1]pentadecane nucleus and a bridgehead double bond (anti-Bredt system), and populusin A (2), a cembrane-type diterpenoid possessing an uncommon dioxatricyclo[6.6.1.12,5]hexadecane scaffold, were isolated from the exudates of Populus euphratica. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic, computational, and crystallographic methods. A plausible biosynthetic route for 1 and 2 was proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to significantly inhibit the production of TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and p-NF-κB at 125 nM in RAW264.7 cells.

Cembranoids of Soft Corals: Recent Updates and Their Biological Activities

Soft corals are well-known as excellent sources of marine-derived natural products. Among them, members of the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum are especially attractive targets for marine natural product research. In this review, we reported the marine-derived natural products called cembranoids isolated from soft corals, including the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum. Here, we reviewed 72 reports published between 2016 and 2020, comprising 360 compounds, of which 260 are new compounds and 100 are previously known compounds with newly recognized activities. The novelty of the organic molecules and their relevant biological activities, delivered by the year of publication, are presented. Among the genera presented in this report, Sarcophyton spp. produce the most cembranoid diterpenes; thus, they are considered as the most important soft corals for marine natural product research. Cembranoids display diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. As cembranoids have been credited with a broad range of biological activities, they present a huge potential for the development of various drugs with potential health and ecological benefits.

Cherbonolides M and N from a Formosan Soft Coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri

Two new isosarcophine derivatives, cherbonolides M (1) and N (2), were further isolated from a Formosan soft coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri. The planar structure and relative configuration of both compounds were established by the detailed analysis of the IR, MS, and 1D and 2D NMR data. Further, the absolute configuration of both compounds was determined by the comparison of CD spectra with that of isosarcophine (3). Notably, cherbonolide N (2) possesses the unique cembranoidal scaffold of tetrahydrooxepane with the 12,17-ether linkage fusing with a γ-lactone. In addition, the assay for cytotoxicity of both new compounds revealed that they showed to be noncytotoxic toward the proliferation of A549, DLD-1, and HuCCT-1 cell lines. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activities of both metabolites were carried out by measuring the N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced generation of superoxide anion and elastase release in the primary human neutrophils. Cherbonolide N (2) was found to reduce the generation of superoxide anion (20.6 ± 6.8%) and the elastase release (30.1 ± 3.3%) in the fMLF/CB-induced human neutrophils at a concentration of 30 μM.

Crassolide Suppresses Dendritic Cell Maturation and Attenuates Experimental Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI)-dependent autoantibodies, with vascular thrombosis or obstetrical complications. Around 20% of APS patients are refractory to current treatments. Crassolide, a cembranoid diterpene extracted from soft corals, is a potential therapeutic candidate. Here, to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of crassolide, we first determined its effects on bone marrow-derived and splenic dendritic cells (DC). Specifically, we applied lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or β2GPI stimulation and measured the expressions of CD80 and CD86, and secretions of cytokines. We also determined in the OT-II mice, if bone marrow-derived DC was able to stimulate antigen-specific T cells. Moreover, we examined the therapeutic potential of crassolide postimmunization in a murine model of APS that depended on active immunization with β2GPI. The vascular manifestations were evaluated in terms of fluorescein-induced thrombi in mesenteric microvessels, whereas the obstetric manifestations were evaluated based on the proportion of fetal loss after pregnancy. We also measured blood titers of anti-β2GPI antibody, splenic cell proliferative responses and cytokine secretions after β2GPI stimulation ex vivo. Finally, we determined in these mice, hematological, hepatic and renal toxicities of crassolide. Crassolide after LPS stimulation suppressed DC maturation and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 and IL-23, and downstream T cell activation. Crassolide could partially ameliorate both the vascular and obstetric manifestations of APS in BALB/c mice. Both blood titers of anti-β2GPI antibody and splenic cell proliferation after β2GPI stimulation were reduced. Splenic Th1 and Th17 responses were also lowered after β2GPI stimulation. Finally, within therapeutic doses of crassolide, we found no evidence of its toxicity. In conclusion, we showed the ability of crassolide to suppress DC and downstream T cell responses. Crassolide is therefore a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy in APS.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published between January and December in 2018 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 717 citations (706 for the period January to December 2018) 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 (1554 in 469 papers for 2018), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included. The proportion of MNPs assigned absolute configuration over the last decade is also surveyed.

New Hydroquinone Monoterpenoid and Cembranoid-Related Metabolites from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum

Chemical investigation of the marine soft coral Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum resulted in the isolation of a 1,4-dihydrobenzoquinone, sarcotenuhydroquinone (1), three new cembranoids, sarcotenusenes A‒C (2‒4), and ten previously reported metabolites 5–14. The chemical structures of all isolated metabolites were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses. In biological assays, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) transcription factor assays of all compounds were performed. None of the isolated compounds were found to exhibit activity in the PPAR-γ transcription factor assay. The anti-inflammatory assays showed that (+)-7α,8β-dihydroxydeepoxysarcophine (13) inhibited the production of IL-1β to 56 ± 1% at a concentration of 30 µM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated J774A.1 macrophage cells. In addition, 1 and 2 were found to exhibit cytotoxicity towards a panel of cancer cell lines.

Anti-Inflammatory Cembranoids from a Formosa Soft Coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri

The present investigation on chemical constituents of the soft coral Sarcophyton cherbonnieri resulted in the isolation of seven new cembranoids, cherbonolides F–L (1–7). The chemical structures of 1–7 were determined by spectroscopic methods, including infrared, one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY), MS experiments, and a chemical reduction of hydroperoxide by triphenylphosphine. The anti-inflammatory activities of 1–7 against neutrophil proinflammatory responses were evaluated by measuring their inhibitory ability toward N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced superoxide anion generation and elastase release in primary human neutrophils. The results showed that all isolates exhibited moderate activities, while cherbonolide G (2) and cherbonolide H (3) displayed a more active effect than others on the inhibition of elastase release (48.2% ± 6.2%) and superoxide anion generation (44.5% ± 4.6%) at 30 µM, respectively.

New Biscembranoids Sardigitolides A-D and Known Cembranoid-Related Compounds from Sarcophyton digitatum: Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Bioactivities

Chemical examination from the cultured soft coral Sarcophyton digitatum resulted in the isolation and structural identification of four new biscembranoidal metabolites, sardigitolides A-D (1-4), along with three previously isolated biscembranoids, sarcophytolide L (5), glaucumolide A (6), glaucumolide B (7), and two known cembranoids (8 and 9). The chemical structures of all isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Additionally, in order to discover bioactivity of marine natural products, 1-8 were examined in terms of their inhibitory potential against the upregulation of inflammatory factor production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophage J774A.1 cells and their cytotoxicities against a limited panel of cancer cells. The anti-inflammatory results showed that at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, 6 and 8 inhibited the production of IL-1β to 68 ± 1 and 56 ± 1%, respectively, in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages J774A.1. Furthermore, sardigitolide B (2) displayed cytotoxicities toward MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines with the IC50 values of 9.6 ± 3.0 and 14.8 ± 4.0 µg/mL, respectively.

Isolation of Lobane and Prenyleudesmane Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral Lobophytum varium

Further chemical investigation of the EtOAc extract of the soft coral Lobophytum varium resulted in the discovery of eleven new diterpenoids lobovarols F–P (1–11) of lobane– and prenyleudesmane–types, along with two known metabolites (12 and 13). The structures of the new metabolites were established by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined using Mosher’s method. The complete assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data of 12 and 13 and the identification of pyran-derived moieties in the prenyleudesmanes were reported for the first time. Anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds in suppressing elastase release and superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils were disclosed for 1, 2, 4, 12, and 13. A stereospecific biosynthesis for lobanes and prenyleudesmanes from the related prenylgermacranes could explain the coexistence of lobanes and prenylgermacranes in L. varium.

Bioactive Capnosanes and Cembranes from the Soft Coral Klyxum flaccidum

Two new capnosane-based diterpenoids, flaccidenol A (1) and 7-epi-pavidolide D (2), two new cembranoids, flaccidodioxide (3) and flaccidodiol (4), and three known compounds 5 to 7 were characterized from the marine soft coral Klyxum flaccidum, collected off the coast of the island of Pratas. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and spectroscopic data comparison with related structures. The rare capnosane diterpenoids were isolated herein from the genus Klyxum for the first time. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1 to 7 against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines was assayed. The isolated diterpenoids also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of superoxide anion generation and elastase release in the N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-stimulated human neutrophils. Furthermore, 1 and 7 also exhibited cytotoxicity toward the tested cancer cells, and 7 could effectively inhibit elastase release. It is worth noting that the biological activities of 7 are reported for the first time in this paper.

A Brief Review on New Naturally Occurring Cembranoid Diterpene Derivatives from the Soft Corals of the Genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum Since 2016

This work reviews the new isolated cembranoid derivatives from species of the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum as well as their biological properties, during 2016–2018. The compilation permitted to conclude that much more new cembranoid diterpenes were found in the soft corals of the genus Sarcophyton than in those belonging to the genera Lobophytum or Sinularia. Beyond the chemical composition, the biological properties were also reviewed, namely anti-microbial against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral against several types of cancer cells. In spite of the biological activities detected in almost all samples, there is a remarkable diversity in the results which may be attributed to the chemical variability that needs to be deepened in order to develop new molecules with potential application in medicine.

Sarcoglaucins A-I, new antifouling cembrane-type diterpenes from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum

Nine new cembrane diterpenes, named sarcoglaucins A-I (1–9) along with three known analogues, trochelioid (10), 7α-hydroxy-Δ⁸⁽¹⁹⁾-deepoxysarcophine (11), and (−)-sartrochine (12), were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum collected at Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.