Demethoxymurrapanine, an indole-naphthoquinone alkaloid, inhibits the proliferation of oral cancer cells without major side effects on normal cells

Antioral cancer drugs need a greater antiproliferative impact on cancer than on normal cells. Demethoxymurrapanine (DEMU) inhibits proliferation in several cancer cells, but an in-depth investigation was necessary. This study evaluated the proliferation-modulating effects of DEMU, focusing on oral cancer and normal cells. DEMU (0, 2, 3, and 4 μg/mL) at 48 h treatments inhibited the proliferation of oral cancer cells (the cell viability (%) for Ca9-22 cells was 100.0 ± 2.2, 75.4 ± 5.6, 26.0 ± 3.8, and 15.4 ± 1.4, and for CAL 27 cells was 100.0 ± 9.4, 77.2 ± 5.9, 57.4 ± 10.7, and 27.1 ± 1.1) more strongly than that of normal cells (the cell viability (%) for S-G cells was 100.0 ± 6.6, 91.0 ± 4.6, 95.0 ± 2.6, and 95.8 ± 5.5), although this was blocked by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. The presence of oxidative stress was evidenced by the increase of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and the downregulation of the cellular antioxidant glutathione in oral cancer cells, but these changes were minor in normal cells. DEMU also caused greater induction of the subG1 phase, extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis (annexin V and caspases 3, 8, and 9), and DNA damage (γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) in oral cancer than in normal cells. N-acetylcysteine attenuated all these DEMU-induced changes. Together, these data demonstrate the preferential antiproliferative function of DEMU in oral cancer cells, with the preferential induction of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage in these cancer cells, and low cytotoxicity toward normal cells.

Sponge-Derived 24-Homoscalaranes as Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Scalarane-type sesterterpenoids are known for their therapeutic potential in cancer treatments. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of this class of metabolites remain elusive. Our current work aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory scalaranes from marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp., resulting in the isolation of six new 24-homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes E–J (1–6). The structures of the new metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 2 and 3 were discovered to individually reduce the generation of superoxide anions, and compound 1 displayed an inhibitor effect on the release of elastase. These three compounds were proven to be the first anti-neutrophilic scalaranes.

Probing Anti-Proliferative 24-Homoscalaranes from a Sponge Lendenfeldiasp

In the current study, an NMR spectroscopic pattern-based procedure for probing scalarane derivatives was performed and four new 24-homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes A–D (1– 4), along with three known compounds, 12α-acetoxy-22-hydroxy-24-methyl-24-oxoscalar-16-en- 25-al (5), felixin F (6), and 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (7) were isolated from the sponge Lendenfeldia sp. The structures of scalaranes 1–7 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Scalaranes 1–7 were further evaluated for their cytotoxicity toward a series of human cancer cell lines and the results suggested that 5 and 7 dominated in the anti- proliferative activity of the extract. The 18-aldehyde functionality was found to play a key role in their activity.

Ubiquitin-Proteasome Modulating Dolabellanes and Secosteroids from Soft Coral Clavularia flava

We performed a high-content screening (HCS) assay aiming to discover bioactive molecules with proteasome inhibitory activity. By structural elucidation, we identified six compounds purified from soft coral Clavularia flava, which potentiates proteasome inhibition. Chemical structure elucidation revealed they are dolabellane- and secosteroid-based compounds including a new dolabellane, clavinflol C (1), three known dolabellanes, stolonidiol (2), stolonidiol-17-acetate (3), and clavinflol B (4) as well as two new secosteroids, 3β,11-dihydroxy-24-methyl-9,11-secocholest-5-en-9,23-dione (5) and 3β,11-dihydroxy-24-methylene-9,11-secocholest-5-en-9,23-dione (6). All six compounds show less cytotoxicity than those of known proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib and MG132. In summary, the high-content measurements of control inhibitors, bortezomib and MG132, manifest the highest ratio >2 in high-content measurement. Of the isolated compounds, 2 and 5 showed higher activity, followed by 3 and 6, and then 1 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibition.

New Cytotoxic Terpenoids from Soft Corals Nephthea chabroli and Paralemnalia thyrsoides

A novel cytotoxic diterpenoid, chabrolin A (1) (possessing an unprecedented terpenoid skeleton), as well as three new cytotoxic sesquiterpenoids, parathyrsoidins E-G (2-4), were isolated by cytotoxicity-guided fractionation from soft corals Nephtheachabroli and Paralemnalia thyrsoides. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data.

Polyoxygenated cembrane diterpenoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi

Five new polyoxygenated cembranoids, named (+)-1,15-epoxy-2-methoxy-12-methoxycarbonyl-11E-sarcophytoxide (1), (+)-2-epi-12-methoxycarbonyl-11E-sarcophine (2), 3,4-epoxyehrenberoxide A (3), ehrenbergol D (4) and ehrenbergol E (5), were obtained from the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi. The structures of 1–5 were established on the basis of comprehensive NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses and by comparison with reported data in the literature. Compounds 4 and 5 showed moderate cytotoxicity against P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia) cancer cell line with EC₅₀ values of 2.0 and 3.0 μM, respectively. Compound 2 exhibited slight antiviral activity against HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) with IC₅₀ values of 25.0 μg/mL.

Lemnalol attenuates mast cell activation and osteoclast activity in a gouty arthritis model

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the effects of a soft coral-derived anti-inflammatory compound, lemnalol, on mast cell (MC) function and osteoclast activity in rats with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced gouty arthritis.

METHODS

In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of lemnalol on intra-articular injection of MSU induces gouty arthritis with the measurement of ankle oedema. Toluidine blue staining were used to analyse the infiltration and the percentage degranulation MCs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CD117, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), the osteoclast markers cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) protein expression in ankle tissue.

KEY FINDINGS

We found that both infiltration and degranulation of MCs increased at 24 h after MSU injection in the ankle joint. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that MSU induced upregulation of TGF-β1, MMP-9, the osteoclast markers cathepsin K and TRAP in ankle tissues. Administration of lemnalol ameliorated MSU-induced TGF-β1, MMP-9, cathepsin K and TRAP protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results show that MSU-induced gouty arthritis is accompanied by osteoclast-related protein upregulation and that lemnalol treatment may be beneficial for the attenuation of MC infiltration and degranulation and for suppressing osteoclast activation in gouty arthritis.

Secocrassumol, a seco-cembranoid from the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Lobophytum crassum

Chemical investigations on the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Lobophytum crassum led to the purification of a new seco-cembranoid, secocrassumol. The structural elucidation was established by extensive NMR, HRESIMS and CD data. The absolute configuration at C-12 was determined as S using a modified Mosher's acylation. Secocrassumol differs from previously known marine seco-cembranoid in that it possesses an unprecedented skeleton functionalized at C11-C12 bond cleavage. Secocrassumol showed antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with an IC50 value of 5.0 μg/mL.

Anti-inflammatory activities of natural products isolated from soft corals of Taiwan between 2008 and 2012

This review reports details on the natural products isolated from Taiwan soft corals during the period 2008–2012 focusing on their in vitro and/or in vivo anti-inflammatory activities. Chemical structures, names, and literature references are also reported. This review provides useful and specific information on potent anti-inflammatory marine metabolites for future development of immune-modulatory therapeutics.

Secosteroids and norcembranoids from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata

Two new 9,11-secosteroids, 22α-acetoxy-24-methylene-3β,6α,11-trihydroxy-9,11-seco-cholest-7-en-9-one (1) and 11-acetoxy-24-methylene-1β,3β,6α-trihydroxy-9,11-seco-cholest-7-en-9-one (2), as well as two known norcembranoids, 5-epi-sinuleptolide (3) and sinuleptolide (4), were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity of 1–4 and its cytotoxicity against selected cell lines were evaluated.

New steroids from the soft coral Nephthea chabrolii

A new cytotoxic 19-oxygenated steroid, nebrosteroid Q (1) and two new cytotoxic 19-norergosterols, nebrosteroids R and S (2 and 3) were isolated from the soft coral Nephthea chabrolii collected at San-Hsian-Tai. The structures of nebrosteroids Q–S (1–3) were elucidated by spectral analysis, and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells as well as antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were measured in vitro.

Soft coral-derived lemnalol alleviates monosodium urate-induced gouty arthritis in rats by inhibiting leukocyte infiltration and iNOS, COX-2 and c-Fos protein expression

An acute gout attack manifests in the joint as dramatic inflammation. To date, the clinical use of medicinal agents has typically led to undesirable side effects. Numerous efforts have failed to create an effective and safe agent for the treatment of gout. Lemnalol—an extract from Formosan soft coral—has documented anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties. In the present study, we attempt to examine the therapeutic effects of lemnalol on intra-articular monosodium urate (MSU)-induced gouty arthritis in rats. In the present study, we found that treatment with lemnalol (intramuscular [im]), but not colchicine (oral [po]), significantly attenuated MUS-induced mechanical allodynia, paw edema and knee swelling. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that MSU-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as the elevated expression of c-Fos and pro-inflammatory proteins (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2) observed in synovial tissue, were significantly inhibited by treatment with lemnalol. We conclude that lemnalol may be a promising candidate for the development of a new treatment for gout and other acute neutrophil-driven inflammatory diseases.

A new 9,11-secosterol from the soft coral Sinularia granosa

Chemical investigations on the EtOAc-soluble fractions from the EtOH extract of Formosa soft coral afforded a new 9,11-secosteroid, 8αH-3β,11-dihydroxy-5α,6α-expoxy-24-methylene-9,11-secocholestan-9-one (1), along with one known steroid 3β,11-dihydroxy-5β,6β-expoxy-24-methylene-9,11-secocholestan-9-one (2) from Sinularia granosa. The structure of the new metabolite was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their NMR data with the known compounds, including 2. Both 1 and 2 were shown to significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase protein, and 1 also was found to effectively reduce the level of cyclooxygenase-2 protein, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells at 10 μM. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity of 1 and 2 toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines was also discovered.

New cytotoxic cembranolides from the soft coral Lobophytum michaelae

Six new cembranolides, michaolides L–Q (1–6), and a known cembranolide, lobomichaolide (7) were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂ extract of the soft coral Lobophytum michaelae. Their structures were established by extensive spectral analysis. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity of 1–7 and their cytotoxicity against selected cell lines were evaluated.

Cembranoids from the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Lobophytum crassum

Chemical investigation of the Dongsha Atoll soft coral Lobophytum crassum has afforded four new cembranoids, crassumols A-C (1-3) and 13-acetoxysarcophytoxide (4). The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR and HRESIMS experiments. The cytotoxicity and anti-HCMV (Human cytomegalovirus) activities of 1-4 were evaluated in vitro. Compound 4 exhibited cytotoxicity against A-549 (human lung carcinoma) cell line with an ED(50) of 3.6 μg/mL.

Polyhydroxylated steroids from the bamboo coral Isis hippuris

In previous studies on the secondary metabolites of the Taiwanese octocoral Isis hippuris, specimens have always been collected at Green Island. In the course of our studies on bioactive compounds from marine organisms, the acetone-solubles of the Taiwanese octocoral I. hippuris collected at Orchid Island have led to the isolation of five new polyoxygenated steroids: hipposterone M–O (1–3), hipposterol G (4) and hippuristeroketal A (5). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic and physical data. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity of 1–5 and their cytotoxicity against selected cell lines were evaluated. Compound 2 exhibited inhibitory activity against HCMV, with an EC₅₀ value of 6.0 μg/mL.

Two new verticillane-type diterpenoids from the formosan soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata

Chemical investigations of the Formosan soft coral Cespitularia hypotentaculata ROXAS led to the isolation of two new verticillane diterpenoids, cespitularins R and S (1, 2), along with seven known compounds (3-9). The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with those of reported in literature. The anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages of compounds 1-9 were evaluated in vitro.

Antiviral and anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the soft coral Sinularia gyrosa

Chemical investigation of the soft coral Sinularia gyrosa led to the purification of three new diterpenoids, designated as gyrosanols A-C (1-3). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited antiviral activity against HCMV with IC(50)'s of 2.6 and 3.7 microM, respectively. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the levels of the COX-2 protein (19.6 + or - 3.9% and 29.1 + or - 9.6%, respectively) in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Antiviral and anti-inflammatory metabolites from the soft coral Sinularia capillosa

Chemical investigations of the soft coral Sinularia capillosa resulted in the isolation of one new tetraprenylbenzoquinone, capilloquinone (1), two new furanobenzosesquiterpenoids, capillobenzopyranol (2) and capillobenzofuranol (3), one new furanosesquiterpenoid, capillofuranocarboxylate (4), and five previously characterized metabolites, comprising (E)-5-(2,6-dimethylocta-5,7-dienyl)furan-3-carboxylic acid (5), 2-[(2E,6E)-3,7-dimethyl-8-(4-methylfuran-2-yl)octa-2,6-dienyl]-5-methylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (6), 2-[(2E,6E)-3,7-dimethyl-8-(4-methylfuran-2-yl)octa-2,6-dienyl]-5-methylbenzene-1,4-diol (7), (-)-loliolide (8), and 3,4,11-trimethyl-7-methylenebicyclo[6.3.0]undec-2-en-11alpha-ol (9). The structures of 1-4 were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxicity, anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity, antibacterial activity, and anti-inflammatory effects of 1-9 were evaluated in vitro.

Bioactive norditerpenoids from the soft coral Sinularia gyrosa

Chemical investigations of the soft coral Sinularia gyrosa resulted in the isolation of six new norcembranolides, gyrosanolides A-F (1-6), a new norcembrane, gyrosanin A (7), and 11 known norditerpenoids 8-18. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic data and by comparison with reported data in the literature. Compounds 1-3, 7-9, 12, and 13 at concentration of 10microM did not inhibit the COX-2 protein expression, but significantly reduced the levels of the iNOS protein (55.2+/-14.6%, 18.6+/-6.7%, 10.6+/-4.6%, 66.9+/-5.2%, 10.2+/-5.1%, 17.4+/-7.2%, 47.2+/-11.9%, and 56.3+/-5.1%, respectively) by LPS stimulation. Compound 8 showed significant antiviral activity against HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) cells with an IC(50) of 1.9microg/mL.

Cembranoids from the octocoral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi

Chemical investigation of the octocoral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi led to the isolation of six new cembranoids, (+)-12-carboxy-11Z-sarcophytoxide (1), (+)-12-methoxycarbonyl-11Z-sarcophine (3), ehrenberoxides A-C (4-6), and lobophynin C (2), along with two known compounds, (+)-sarcophytoxide (7) and (+)-sarcophine (8). The structures of these isolated metabolites were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses, while the relative configuration of 1 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The chemical evidence combined with spectroscopic and physical data suggested that the locations of the epoxide and the methyl carboxylate for lobophynin C should be exchanged. Moreover, metabolites 1-6 were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity against selected cancer and normal cells lines, antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus, and antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis.

Novel virus-associated proteins encoded by UL112–113 of human cytomegalovirus

Evidence suggests that the products of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL112–113 genes are involved in viral DNA replication during lytic infection. A polyclonal antibody was raised against the UL112 open reading frame (ORF) to characterize its function in detail. Immunoblots utilizing the UL112 antibody identified seven distinct protein bands (p20, p26, p28, p34, p43, p50 and p84) expressed during the HCMV infectious cycle. After screening a cDNA library constructed from cells 72 h after infection with HCMV, only four different cDNA protein-producing constructs were obtained, and their ORFs corresponded to p34, p43, p50 and p84. The proteins p20, p26 and p28 were further shown to be selectively included within mature HCMV particles, virions, non-infectious enveloped particles and dense bodies. Immunoaffinity protein purification was used to prepare the samples for liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This analysis revealed that p20, p26 and p28 were derived from the UL112 ORF, most likely through post-translational proteolytic cleavage.

Human cytomegalovirus UL76 induces chromosome aberrations

Background

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is known to induce chromosome aberrations in infected cells, which can lead to congenital abnormalities in infected fetuses. HCMV UL76 belongs to a conserved protein family from herpesviruses. Some reported roles among UL76 family members include involvement in virulence determination, lytic replication, reactivation of latent virus, modulation of gene expression, induction of apoptosis, and perturbation of cell cycle progression, as well as potential nuclease activity. Previously, we have shown that stable expression of UL76 inhibits HCMV replication in glioblastoma cells.

Methods

To examine chromosomal integrity and the DNA damage signal γ-H2AX in cells constitutively expressing UL76, immunofluorescent cell staining and Western blotting were performed. The comet assay was employed to assess DNA breaks in cells transiently expressing UL76.

Results

We report that stably transfected cells expressing UL76 developed chromosome aberrations including micronuclei and misaligned chromosomes, lagging and bridging. In mitotic cells expressing UL76, aberrant spindles were increased compared to control cells. However, cells with supernumerary centrosomes were marginally increased in UL76-expressing cells relative to control cells. We further demonstrated that UL76-expressing cells activated the DNA damage signal γ-H2AX and caused foci formation in nuclei. In addition, the number of cells with DNA breaks increased in proportion to UL76 protein levels.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the virus-associated protein UL76 induces DNA damage and the accumulation of chromosome aberrations.

Three new eudesmanoids from the Formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta

Chemical investigations on the organic extract of the Formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta led to the isolation of two new eudesmanoids, (4R*,5S*,6Z,10R*)-8-oxo-eudesm-6-en-5alpha,11-diol (1) and (6E,10R)-4,5-dioxo-11-methoxy-eudesm-6-ene (2), together with one new tri-nor-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, (4S*,5E,10R*)-7-oxo-tri-nor-eudesm-5-en-4beta-ol (3). The structures of metabolites 1-3 were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with those reported in the literature. The anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells of 1-3 were evaluated in vitro.

Lobocrasol, a new diterpenoid from the soft coral Lobophytum crassum

Lobocrasol (1), possessing an unprecedented diterpenoid skeleton, was isolated from the soft coral Lobophytum crassum. The structure of lobocrasol was established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data.

Capnellene, a natural marine compound derived from soft coral, attenuates chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Natural compounds obtained from marine organisms have received considerable attention as potential sources of novel drugs for treatment of human inflammatory diseases. Capnellene, isolated from the marine soft coral Capnella imbricate, 4,4,6a-trimethyl-3-methylene-decahydro-cyclopenta[]pentalene-2,3a-diol (GB9) exhibited anti-inflammatory actions on activated macrophages in vitro. Here we have assessed the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of GB9 and its acetylated derivative, acetic acid 3a-hydroxy-4,4,6a-trimethyl-3-methylene-decahydro-cyclopenta[]pentalen-2-yl ester (GB10).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of GB9 or GB10 on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated mouse microglial BV2 cells were measured by Western blot. The in vivo effects of these compounds were examined in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model of neuropathic pain, measuring thermal hyperalgesia, and microglial activation and COX-2 protein in lumbar spinal cord, by immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS

In BV2 cells, GB9 and GB10 inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2, stimulated by IFN-gamma. Intrathecal administration of GB9 and GB10 inhibited CCI-induced nociceptive sensitization and thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. Intraperitoneal injection of GB9 inhibited CCI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and also inhibited CCI-induced activation of microglial cells and up-regulation of COX-2 in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord ipsilateral to the injury.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Taken together, these data indicate that the marine-derived capnellenes, GB9 and GB10, had anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties in IFN-gamma-stimulated microglial cells and in neuropathic rats respectively. Therefore, capnellene may serve as a useful lead compound in the search for new therapeutic agents for treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

New 19-oxygenated and 4-methylated steroids from the Formosan soft coral Nephthea chabroli

Chemical investigation of the Formosan soft coral Nephthea chabroli resulted in the isolation of four new 19-oxygenated steroids, nebrosteroids I-L (1-4), together with a new 4alpha-methylated steroid, nebrosteroid M (5). The molecular structures of these isolated metabolites were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of the data with those of related metabolites. Compounds 1-5 were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Anti-inflammatory cembranolides from the soft coral Lobophytum durum

Chemical investigation of the soft coral Lobophytum durum resulted in the isolation of seven new cembranolides, durumolides F-L (1-7), as well as one previously characterized cembranolides, sinularolide D (8). The molecular structures of these isolated metabolites were determined mainly through NMR techniques and HRESIMS analysis. Moreover, the absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were established by application of modified Mosher's method. The antibacterial activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-HCMV (Human cytomegalovirus) endonuclease activity of metabolites 1-8 were also evaluated in vitro. Anti-inflammatory activity of metabolites 1 and 6 (10 microM) significantly reduced the levels of the iNOS protein to 0.8+/-0.6% and 5.7+/-2.2%, respectively, and COX-2 protein to 47.8+/-9.0% and 71.6+/-5.8%, respectively. Metabolites 1-8 (100 microg/disk) exhibited weak antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis.

Ceramide and cerebrosides from the octocoral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi

Chemical investigation of the octocoral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi, collected at the Dongsha Islands, Taiwan, has led to the isolation of a known ceramide (1) and two new cerebrosides, sarcoehrenosides A (2) and B (4), along with three known cerebrosides (3, 5, and 6). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Sarcoehrenoside A (2) differs from previously known marine cerebrosides in that it possesses a rare alpha-glucose moiety. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against a small panel of bacteria and for anti-inflammatory activity using RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Revision of the absolute configuration at C(23) of lanostanoids and isolation of secondary metabolites from formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta

Three new oxygenated ergostanoids, 1-3, one known ergostanoid, 4, one new trinoreudesmadienone, 5, one new calamenene type sesquiterpene, 6, and one known aristolane-type sesquiterpene, (-)-aristolone (7), have been isolated from the AcOEt extract of the soft coral Nephthea erecta. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analysis, as well as Mosher's method. We revised the absolute configuration at C(23) in the side chain of some lanostanoids as a result of the Mosher's products of 1 (i.e., 1a and 1b). The cytotoxicities against selected cancer cells and the anti-inflammatory effects of these tested metabolites 1-7 were determined in vitro.

Unprecedented hemiketal cembranolides with anti-inflammatory activity from the soft coral Lobophytum durum

Chemical investigations of the soft coral Lobophytum durum have led to the isolation of three unprecedented hemiketal cembranolides, durumhemiketalolides A-C (1-3). Full NMR spectroscopic assignments are provided for all isolated metabolites. The anti-inflammatory activities of 1-3 were evaluated in vitro.

New anti-inflammatory 4-methylated steroids from the Formosan soft coral Nephthea chabroli

Eight new 4-methylated steroids, nebrosteroids A-H (1-8) were isolated from the acetone solubles of the Formosan soft coral Nephthea chabroli. The structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and their anti-inflammatory activity was measured in vitro.

New anti-inflammatory steroids from the Formosan soft coral Clavularia viridis

Four new steroids, stoloniferones R-T (1-3), and (25S)-24-methylenecholestane-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol-26-acetate (4) were isolated from the methylene chloride solubles of the soft coral Clavularia viridis. The structures of the metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectral analysis and their anti-inflammatory activity was measured in vitro.

Capnellenes from the Formosan soft coral Capnella imbricata

Three anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenes, Delta (9(12))-capnellene-8beta,10alpha-diol ( 1), 8alpha-acetoxy-Delta (9(12))-capnellene-10alpha-ol ( 2), and Delta (9(12))-capnellene-10alpha-ol-8-one ( 3), five new sesquiterpenes, Delta (9(12))-capnellene-8beta,15-diol ( 4), Delta (9(12))-capnellene-8beta,10alpha,13-triol ( 5), Delta (9(10))-capnellene-12-ol-8-one ( 6), 8beta,10alpha-diacetoxy-Delta (9(12))-capnellene ( 7), and 8beta-acetoxy-Delta (9(12))-capnellene ( 8), and a known sesquiterpene, Delta (9(12))-capnellene-8beta-ol ( 9), were isolated from the acetone/methylene chloride extracts of the Formosan soft coral Capnella imbricata. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis.

Sesquiterpenoids and artificial 19-oxygenated steroids from the formosan soft coral Nephthea erecta

Chemical investigations on the acetone and MeOH solubles of the soft coral Nephthea erecta have afforded five new sesquiterpenoids (1-5), one known sesquiterpene, kelsoene (6), and two known 19-oxygenated steroids (10 and 11). In addition, three unexpected artificial 19-oxygenated steroids (7-9) were obtained by letting 10 and 11 stand in CDCl(3) for prolonged periods of time. The structures of 1-9 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells was measured in vitro.