Rare Ophiuroid-Type Steroid 3ß,21-, 3ß,22-, and 3α,22-Disulfates from the Slime Sea Star Pteraster marsippus and Their Colony-Inhibiting Effects against Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Two new steroid 3ß,21-disulfates (1, 2) and two new steroid 3ß,22- and 3α,22-disulfates (3, 4), along with the previously known monoamine alkaloid tryptamine (5) were found in the ethanolic extract of the Far Eastern slime sea star Pteraster marsippus. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed analysis of one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR, HRESIMS, and HRESIMS/MS data. Compounds 1 and 2 have a Δ22-21-sulfoxy-24-norcholestane side chain. Compounds 3 and 4 contain a Δ24(28)-22-sulfoxy-24-methylcholestane side chain, which was first discovered in the polar steroids of starfish and brittle stars. The influence of substances 1-4 on cell viability, colony formation, and growth of human breast cancer T-47D, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated. It was shown that compounds 1 and 2 possess significant colony-inhibiting activity against T-47D cells, while compounds 3 and 4 were more effective against MDA-MB-231 cells.

Sulfated Polyhydroxysteroid Glycosides from the Sea of Okhotsk Starfish Henricia leviuscula spiculifera and Potential Mechanisms for Their Observed Anti-Cancer Activity against Several Types of Human Cancer Cells.

Three new monosulfated polyhydroxysteroid glycosides, spiculiferosides A (1), B (2), and C (3), along with new related unsulfated monoglycoside, spiculiferoside D (4), were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the starfish Henricia leviuscula spiculifera collected in the Sea of Okhotsk. Compounds 1-3 contain two carbohydrate moieties, one of which is attached to C-3 of the steroid tetracyclic core, whereas another is located at C-24 of the side chain of aglycon. Two glycosides (2, 3) are biosides, and one glycoside (1), unlike them, includes three monosaccharide residues. Such type triosides are a rare group of polar steroids of sea stars. In addition, the 5-substituted 3-OSO3-α-L-Araf unit was found in steroid glycosides from starfish for the first time. Cell viability analysis showed that 1-3 (at concentrations up to 100 µM) had negligible cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney HEK293, melanoma SK-MEL-28, breast cancer MDA-MB-231, and colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cells. These compounds significantly inhibited proliferation and colony formation in HCT 116 cells at non-toxic concentrations, with compound 3 having the greatest effect. Compound 3 exerted anti-proliferative effects on HCT 116 cells through the induction of dose-dependent cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, regulation of expression of cell cycle proteins CDK2, CDK4, cyclin D1, p21, and inhibition of phosphorylation of protein kinases c-Raf, MEK1/2, ERK1/2 of the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway.

Stonikacidin A, an Antimicrobial 4-Bromopyrrole Alkaloid Containing L-Idonic Acid Core from the Northwestern Pacific Marine Sponge Lissodendoryx papillosa.

Stonikacidin A (1), the first representative of a new class of 4-bromopyrrole alkaloids containing an aldonic acid core, was isolated from the marine sponge Lissodendoryx papillosa. The compound is named in honor of Prof. Valentin A. Stonik, who is one of the outstanding investigators in the field of marine natural chemistry. The structure of 1 was determined using NMR, MS analysis, and chemical correlations. The L-idonic acid core was established by the comparison of GC, NMR, MS, and optical rotation data of methyl-pentaacetyl-aldonates obtained from the hydrolysis products of 1 and standard hexoses. The L-form of the idonic acid residue in 1 was confirmed by GC analysis of pentaacetate of (S)-2-butyl ester of the hydrolysis product from 1 and compared with corresponding derivatives of L- and D-idonic acids. The biosynthetic pathway for stonikacidin A (1) was proposed. The alkaloid 1 inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli test strains, as well as affected the formation of S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. Compound 1 inhibited the activity of sortase A. Molecular docking data showed that stonikacidin A (1) can bind with sortase A due to the interactions between its bromine atoms and some amino acid residues of the enzyme.

New Zosteropenillines and Pallidopenillines from the Seagrass-Derived Fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679.

Ten new decalin polyketides, zosteropenilline M (1), 11-epi-8-hydroxyzosteropenilline M (2), zosteropenilline N (3), 8-hydroxyzosteropenilline G (4), zosteropenilline O (5), zosteropenilline P (6), zosteropenilline Q (7), 13-dehydroxypallidopenilline A (8), zosteropenilline R (9) and zosteropenilline S (10), together with known zosteropenillines G (11) and J (12), pallidopenilline A (13) and 1-acetylpallidopenilline A (14), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679 associated with the seagrass Zostera marina. The structures of isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline Q (7) and zosteropenilline S (10) were determined using a combination of the modified Mosher's method and ROESY data. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline M (1) and zosteropenilline N (3) were determined using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the ECD spectra. A biogenetic pathway for compounds 1-14 is proposed. The antimicrobial, cytotoxic and cytoprotective activities of the isolated compounds were also studied. The significant cytoprotective effects of the new zosteropenilline M and zosteropenillines O and R were found in a cobalt chloride (II) mimic in in vitro hypoxia in HEK-293 cells. 1-Acetylpallidopenilline A (14) exhibited high inhibition of human breast cancer MCF-7 cell colony formation with IC50 of 0.66 µM and its anticancer effect was reduced when MCF-7 cells were pretreated with 4-hydroxitamoxifen. Thus, we propose 1-acetylpallidopenilline A as a new xenoestrogen with significant activity against breast cancer.

Assimiloside A, a Glycolipid with Immunomodulatory Activity from the Northwestern Pacific Marine Sponge Hymeniacidon assimilis.

Assimiloside A (1), an unprecedented marine glycolipid containing a γ-lactone of 4R,16,26R-trihydroxy C28 fatty acid as an aglycon and a trisaccharide carbohydrate moiety, was isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon assimilis. Its structure was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chemical transformations, and ECD spectroscopy combined with time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Assimiloside A at nontoxic concentrations of 0.01-0.1 µM was shown to present lysosomal activity stimulation and intracellular reactive oxygen species level elevation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.

Chilensosides E, F, and G-New Tetrasulfated Triterpene Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Paracaudina chilensis (Caudinidae, Molpadida): Structures, Activity, and Biogenesis.

Three new tetrasulfated triterpene glycosides, chilensosides E (1), F (2), and G (3), have been isolated from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Paracaudina chilensis (Caudinidae, Molpadida). The structures were established based on extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and confirmed by HR-ESI-MS data. The compounds differ in their carbohydrate chains, namely in the number of monosaccharide residues (five or six) and in the positions of sulfate groups. Chilensosides E (1) and F (2) are tetrasulfated pentaosides with the position of one of the sulfate groups at C-3 Glc3, and chilensoside G (3) is a tetrasulfated hexaoside. The biogenetic analysis of the glycosides of P. chilensis has revealed that the structures form a network due to the attachment of sulfate groups to almost all possible positions. The upper semi-chain is sulfated earlier in the biosynthetic process than the lower one. Noticeably, the presence of a sulfate group at C-3 Glc3-a terminal monosaccharide residue in the bottom semi-chain of compounds 1 and 2-excludes the possibility of this sugar chain's further elongation. Presumably, the processes of glycosylation and sulfation are concurrent biosynthetic stages. They can be shifted in time in relation to each other, which is a characteristic feature of the mosaic type of biosynthesis. The hemolytic action of compounds 1-3 against human erythrocytes and cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines were tested. The compounds showed moderate hemolytic activity but were inactive against cancer cells, probably because of their structural peculiarities, such as the combination of positions of four sulfate groups.

Rhabdastrellosides A and B: Two New Isomalabaricane Glycosides from the Marine Sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata, and Their Cytotoxic and Cytoprotective Effects.

Investigation of the Vietnamese marine sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata led to the isolation of two new polar isomalabaricanes: rhabdastrellosides A (1) and B (2). Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated with the application of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and HRESIMS/MS methods, as well as chemical modifications and GC-MS analysis. Metabolites 1 and 2 are the first isomalabaricanes with non-oxidized cyclopentane ring in the tricyclic core system. Moreover, having a 3-O-disaccharide moiety in their structures, they increase a very rare group of isomalabaricane glycosides. We report here a weak cytotoxicity of 1 and 2 toward human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and normal rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes, as well as the cytoprotective activity of rhabdastrelloside B (2) at 1 µM evaluated using CoCl2-treated SH-SY5Y and H9c2 cells.

New Rare Triterpene Glycosides from Pacific Sun Star, Solaster pacificus, and Their Anticancer Activity.

Six previously unknown triterpene glycosides, pacificusosides L-Q (1-6), and two previously known triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides B1 (7) and A5 (8), were isolated from an alcoholic extract of Pacific sun star, Solaster pacificus. The structures of 1-6 were determined using 1D and 2D NMR, ESIMS, and chemical modifications. Compound 1 is a rare type of triterpene glycoside with non-holostane aglycon, having a linear trisaccharide carbohydrate chain. Pacificusosides M-P (2-5) have new structures containing a Δ8(9)-3,16,18-trihydroxy tetracyclic triterpene moiety. This tetracyclic fragment in sea star or sea cucumber triterpene glycosides was described for the first time. All the compounds under study exhibit low or moderate cytotoxic activity against colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cells, and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were assessed by MTS assay. Compound 2 effectively suppresses the colony formation of cancer cells at a non-toxic concentration, using the soft-agar assay. A scratch assay has shown a significant anti-invasive potential of compound 2 against HCT 116 cells, but not against MDA-MB-231 cells.

Sulfated Triterpene Glycosides from the Far Eastern Sea Cucumber Cucumaria djakonovi: Djakonoviosides C1, D1, E1, and F1; Cytotoxicity against Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships.

Four new mono- and trisulfated triterpene penta- and tetraosides, djakonoviosides C1 (1), D1 (2), E1 (3), and F1 (4) were isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Cucumaria djakonovi (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida), along with six known glycosides found earlier in other Cucumaria species. The structures of unreported compounds were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by HR-ESI-MS data. The set of compounds contains six different types of carbohydrate chains including two new ones. Thus, djakonovioside C1 (1) is characterized by xylose as the second residue, that was a branchpoint in the pentasaccharide chain. Meanwhile, only quinovose and rarely glucose have been found earlier in pentasaccharide chains branched at C-2 of the second sugar unit. Djakonovioside E1 (3) is characterized by a tetrasaccharide trisulfated chain, with glucose as the second residue. So, in the series of isolated glycosides, three types of sugars in the second position were presented: the most common, quinovose-in six compounds; glucose-in three substances; and the rare xylose-in one glycoside. The set of aglycones was composed of holostane- and non-holostane-type polycyclic systems; the latter comprised normal and reduced side chains. Noticeably, isokoreoside A (9), isolated from C. djakonovi, was a single glycoside having a 9(11)-double bond, indicating two oxidosqualenecyclases are operating in the process of the biosynthesis of aglycones. Some of the glycosides from C. djakonovi, which were characterized by pentasaccharide branched chains containing one to three sulfate groups, are chemotaxonomic features of the representatives of the genus Cucumaria. The assortment of sugar parts of Cucumaria's glycosides was broadened with previously undescribed penta- and tetrasaccharide moieties. The metabolic network of sugar parts and aglycones is constructed based on biogenetic relationships. The cytotoxic action of compounds 1-10, isolated from C. djakonovi, against human breast cancer cell lines was investigated along with the hemolytic activity. Erythrocytes were, as usual, more sensitive to the membranolytic action of the glycosides than cancer cells. The triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line was more vulnerable to the action of glycosides in comparison with the other tested cancer cells, while the MCF-7 cell line was less susceptible to cytotoxic action. Djakonovioside E1 (3) demonstrated selective action against ER-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cell lines, while the toxic effect in relation to normal mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) was absent. Cucumarioside A2-5 (6) inhibited the formation and growth of colonies of cancer cells to 44% and tumor cell migration to 85% of the control. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were calculated on the basis of the correlational analysis of the physicochemical properties and structural features of the glycosidic molecules and their membranolytic activity. QSAR revealed the extremely complex nature of such relationships, but these calculations correlated well with the observed SAR.

New Bioactive ß-Resorcylic Acid Derivatives from the Alga-Derived Fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4685.

Five new ß-resorcylic acid derivatives, 14-hydroxyasperentin B (1), ß-resoantarctines A-C (3, 5, 6) and 8-dehydro-ß-resoantarctine A (4), together with known 14-hydroxyasperentin (5'-hydroxyasperentin) (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4685 associated with the brown alga Sargassum miyabei. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and modified Mosher's method, and the biogenetic pathways for compounds 3-6 were proposed. For the very first time, the relative configuration of the C-14 center of a known compound 2 was assigned via analyses of magnitudes of the vicinal coupling constants. The new metabolites 3-6 were biogenically related to resorcylic acid lactones (RALs); however, they did not possess lactonized macrolide elements in their structures. Compounds 3, 4 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity in LNCaP, DU145 and 22Rv1 human prostate cancer cells. Moreover, these metabolites could inhibit the activity of p-glycoprotein at their noncytotoxic concentrations and consequently synergize with docetaxel in p-glycoprotein-overexpressing drug-resistant cancer cells.

Anthraquinone Derivatives and Other Aromatic Compounds from Marine Fungus Asteromyces cruciatus KMM 4696 and Their Effects against Staphylococcus aureus.

New anthraquinone derivatives acruciquinones A-C (1-3), together with ten known metabolites, were isolated from the obligate marine fungus Asteromyces cruciatus KMM 4696. Acruciquinone C is the first member of anthraquinone derivatives with a 6/6/5 backbone. The structures of isolated compounds were established based on NMR and MS data. The absolute stereoconfigurations of new acruciquinones A-C were determined using ECD and quantum chemical calculations (TDDFT approach). A plausible biosynthetic pathway of the novel acruciquinone C was proposed. Compounds 1-4 and 6-13 showed a significant antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus growth, and acruciquinone A (1), dendryol B (4), coniothyrinone B (7), and ω-hydroxypachybasin (9) reduced the activity of a key staphylococcal enzyme, sortase A. Moreover, the compounds, excluding 4, inhibited urease activity. We studied the effects of anthraquinones 1, 4, 7, and 9 and coniothyrinone D (6) in an in vitro model of skin infection when HaCaT keratinocytes were cocultivated with S. aureus. Anthraquinones significantly reduce the negative impact of S. aureus on the viability, migration, and proliferation of infected HaCaT keratinocytes, and acruciquinone A (1) revealed the most pronounced effect.

New Cyclopiane Diterpenes and Polyketide Derivatives from Marine Sediment-Derived Fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4670 and Their Biological Activities.

Two new cyclopiane diterpenes and a new cladosporin precursor, together with four known related compounds, were isolated from the marine sediment-derived fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4670, which was re-identified based on phylogenetic inference from ITS, BenA, CaM, and RPB2 gene regions. The absolute stereostructures of the isolated cyclopianes were determined using modified Mosher's method and quantum chemical calculations of the ECD spectra. The isolation from the natural source of two biosynthetic precursors of cladosporin from a natural source has been reported for the first time. The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans as well as the inhibition of staphylococcal sortase A activity were investigated. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the compounds to mammalian cardiomyocytes H9c2 was studied. As a result, new cyclopiane diterpene 13-epi-conidiogenone F was found to be a sortase A inhibitor and a promising anti-staphylococcal agent.

Djakonoviosides A, A1, A2, B1-B4 - Triterpene Monosulfated Tetra- and Pentaosides from the Sea Cucumber Cucumaria djakonovi: The First Finding of a Hemiketal Fragment in the Aglycones; Activity against Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Seven new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, djakonoviosides A (1), A1 (2), A2 (3), and B1-B4 (4-7), along with three known glycosides found earlier in the other Cucumaria species, namely okhotoside A1-1, cucumarioside A0-1, and frondoside D, have been isolated from the far eastern sea cucumber Cucumaria djakonovi (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). The structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and confirmed by HR-ESI-MS data. The compounds of groups A and B differ from each other in their carbohydrate chains, namely monosulfated tetrasaccharide chains are inherent to group A and pentasaccharide chains with one sulfate group, branched by C-2 Qui2, are characteristic of group B. The aglycones of djakonoviosides A2 (3), B2 (5), and B4 (7) are characterized by a unique structural feature, a 23,16-hemiketal fragment found first in the sea cucumbers' glycosides. The biosynthetic pathway of its formation is discussed. The set of aglycones of C. djakonovi glycosides was species specific because of the presence of new aglycones. At the same time, the finding in C. djakonovi of the known glycosides isolated earlier from the other species of Cucumaria, as well as the set of carbohydrate chains characteristic of the glycosides of all investigated representatives of the genus Cucumaria, demonstrated the significance of these glycosides as chemotaxonomic markers. The membranolytic actions of compounds 1-7 and known glycosides okhotoside A1-1, cucumarioside A0-1, and frondoside D, isolated from C. djakonovi against human cell lines, including erythrocytes and breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T-47D, and triple negative MDA-MB-231), as well as leukemia HL-60 and the embryonic kidney HEK-293 cell line, have been studied. Okhotoside A1-1 was the most active compound from the series because of the presence of a tetrasaccharide linear chain and holostane aglycone with a 7(8)-double bond and 16ß-O-acetoxy group, cucumarioside A0-1, having the same aglycone, was slightly less active because of the presence of branching xylose residue at C-2 Qui2. Generally, the activity of the djakonoviosides of group A was higher than that of the djakonoviosides of group B containing the same aglycones, indicating the significance of a linear chain containing four monosaccharide residues for the demonstration of membranolytic action by the glycosides. All the compounds containing hemiketal fragments, djakonovioside A2 (3), B2 (5), and B4 (7), were almost inactive. The most aggressive triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was the most sensitive to the glycosides action when compared with the other cancer cells. Okhotoside A1-1 and cucumarioside A0-1 demonstrated promising effects against MDA-MB-231 cells, significantly inhibiting the migration, as well as the formation and growth, of colonies.

Bioactive Polyketides from the Natural Complex of the Sea Urchin-Associated Fungi Penicillium sajarovii KMM 4718 and Aspergillus protuberus KMM 4747.

The marine-derived fungal strains KMM 4718 and KMM 4747 isolated from sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis as a natural fungal complex were identified as Penicillium sajarovii and Aspergillus protuberus based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), partial ß-tubulin (BenA), and calmodulin (CaM) molecular markers as well as an ribosomal polymerase two, subunit two (RPB2) region for KMM 4747. From the ethyl acetate extract of the co-culture, two new polyketides, sajaroketides A (1) and B (2), together with (2'S)-7-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (3), altechromone A (4), norlichexanthone (5), griseoxanthone C (6), 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-8-methylxanthone (7), griseofulvin (8), 6-O-desmethylgriseofulvin (9), dechlorogriseofulvin (10), and 5,6-dihydro-4-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (11) were identified. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configurations of the chiral centers of sajaroketides A and B were determined using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT)-based calculations of the Electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD) spectra. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on urease activity and the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans were observed. Sajaroketide A, altechromone A, and griseofulvin showed significant cardioprotective effects in an in vitro model of S. aureus-induced infectious myocarditis.

Absolute Stereochemistry and Cytotoxic Effects of Vismione E from Marine Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp. 1901NT-1.2.2.

The metabolic profile of the Aspergillus sp. 1901NT-1.2.2 sponge-associated fungal strain was investigated using the HPLC MS technique, and more than 23 peaks in the HPLC MS chromatogram were detected. Only two minor peaks were identified as endocrocin and terpene derivative MS data from the GNPS database. The main compound was isolated and identified as known anthraquinone derivative vismione E. The absolute stereochemistry of vismione E was established for the first time using ECD and quantum chemical methods. Vismione E showed high cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, with an IC50 of 9.0 µM, in comparison with low toxicity for normal human breast MCF-10A cells, with an IC50 of 65.3 µM. It was found that vismione E inhibits MCF-7 cell proliferation and arrests the cell cycle in the G1 phase. Moreover, the negative influence of vismione E on MCF-7 cell migration was detected. Molecular docking of vismione E suggested the IMPDH2 enzyme as one of the molecular targets for this anthraquinone derivative.

Meroantarctines A-C, Meroterpenoids with Rearranged Skeletons from the Alga-Derived Fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4685 with Potent p-Glycoprotein Inhibitory Activity.

New meroterpenoids, meroantarctines A-C (1-3), with unique 6/5/6/6, 6/5/6/5/6, and 6/5/6/5 polycyclic systems were isolated from the alga-derived fungus Penicillium antarcticum KMM 4685. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical calculations. A biogenetic pathway for 1-3 was proposed. Meroantarctines A-C (1-3) inhibited p-glycoprotein activity and could resensitize drug-resistant cancer cells to docetaxel.

Toporosides A and B, Cyclopentenyl-Containing ω-Glycosylated Fatty Acid Amides, and Toporosides C and D from the Northwestern Pacific Marine Sponge Stelodoryx toporoki.

Toporosides A-D (1-4), new ω-glycosylated fatty acid amides, were isolated from the sponge Stelodoryx toporoki. The structures of these compounds, including absolute configurations of stereogenic centers, were established using analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, ECD, and HR mass spectra as well as chemical transformations. Toporosides A (1) and B (2) are the first lipids containing a cyclopentenyl α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl moiety in the polymethylene chain. Toporoside C (3) is likely a precursor, which undergoes intramolecular aldol condensation to produce 1 and 2. Toporosides A, C, and D showed protective effects against TNF-α-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Application of MS-Based Metabolomic Approaches in Analysis of Starfish and Sea Cucumber Bioactive Compounds.

Today, marine natural products are considered one of the main sources of compounds for drug development. Starfish and sea cucumbers are potential sources of natural products of pharmaceutical interest. Among their metabolites, polar steroids, triterpene glycosides, and polar lipids have attracted a great deal of attention; however, studying these compounds by conventional methods is challenging. The application of modern MS-based approaches can help to obtain valuable information about such compounds. This review provides an up-to-date overview of MS-based applications for starfish and sea cucumber bioactive compounds analysis. While describing most characteristic features of MS-based approaches in the context of starfish and sea cucumber metabolites, including sample preparation and MS analysis steps, the present paper mainly focuses on the application of MS-based metabolic profiling of polar steroid compounds, triterpene glycosides, and lipids. The application of MS in metabolomics studies is also outlined.

New Tripeptide Derivatives Asperripeptides A-C from Vietnamese Mangrove-Derived Fungus Aspergillus terreus LM.5.2.

Three new tripeptide derivatives asterripeptides A-C (1-3) were isolated from Vietnamese mangrove-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus LM.5.2. Structures of isolated compounds were determined by a combination of NMR and ESIMS techniques. The absolute configurations of all stereocenters were determined using the Murfey's method. The isolated compounds 1-3 contain a rare fungi cinnamic acid residue. The cytotoxicity of isolated compounds against several cancer cell lines and inhibition ability of sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus of asterripeptides A-C were investigated.

Structures and Biologic Activity of Chitonoidosides I, J, K, K1 and L-Triterpene Di-, Tri- and Tetrasulfated Hexaosides from the Sea Cucumber Psolus chitonoides.

Five new triterpene di-, tri- and tetrasulfated hexaosides (chitonoidosides I (1), J (2), K (3), K1 (4) and L (5)) were isolated from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Psolus chitonoides, collected near Bering Island (Commander Islands) from a depth of 100-150 m. The structural variability of the glycosides concerned both the aglycones (with 7(8)- or 9(11)-double bonds) and carbohydrate chains differing from each other by the third sugar residue (Xyl or sulfated by C-6 Glc) and/or by the fourth-terminal in the bottom semi-chain-residue (Glc or sulfated by C-6 MeGlc) as well as by the positions of a sulfate group at C-4 or C-6 in the sixth-terminal in the upper semi-chain-residue (MeGlc). Hemolytic activities of these compounds 1-5 against human erythrocytes as well as cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, HeLa, DLD-1 and HL-60, were studied. The hexaosides, chitonoidosides K (3) and L (5) with four sulfate groups, were the most active against tumor cells in all the tests. Noticeably, the sulfate group at C-4 of MeGlc6 did not decrease the membranolytic effect of 5 as compared with 3, having the sulfate group at C-6 of MeGlc6. Erythrocytes were, as usual, more sensitive to the action of the studied glycosides than cancer cells, although the sensitivity of leukemia promyeloblast HL-60 cells was higher than that of other tumor cells. The glycosides 1 and 2 demonstrated some weaker action in relation to DLD-1 cells than against other tumor cell lines. Chitonoidoside K1 (4) with a hydroxyl at C 25 of the aglycone was not active in all the tests. The metabolic network formed by the carbohydrate chains of all the glycosides isolated from P. chitonoides as well as the aglycones biosynthetic transformations during their biosynthesis are discussed and illustrated with schemes.