A new 2,3-dimethyl butenolide from the brittle star Ophiomastix mixta.

A new butenolide (1) was isolated, along with a known acyclic polyhalogenated monoterpene (2), from the brittle star Ophiomastix mixta. The structures were defined by analysis and comparision of the spectral data with those in the literature. The 2,3-dimethyl butenolide (1) is uncommon and first encountered in a marine organism. The compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and displayed mild to significant activity.

26,27-cyclosterols and other polyoxygenated sterols from a marine sponge Topsentia sp.

Thirty sterols (1-30) were isolated from bioactive fractions of a marine sponge Topsentia sp., of which 16 were new (1, 2, 8, 10-14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27, and 30). They were characterized as sterols with 10 different side chains and as having various functionalities including 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxy (1-9), 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-7-ol (10-15), 5,8-dien-7-one (24-28), 5-en-3beta-ol (29), and 1(10-->6)abeo-5,7,9-triene-3alpha,11alpha-diol (30) units and included polyoxygenated sterols (16-23). One of the key features of these new sterols is the presence of the (24R,25R,27R)-26,27-cyclo-24,27-dimethylcholestane side chain, whose absolute stereochemistry was defined by an acid-catalyzed ring-opening method and by comparison with the four synthetic isomers of known absolute stereochemistry. The occurrence of several known fungal sterols and relevant new sterols in this sponge suggested their possible origin from symbiotic fungi. Selected compounds were tested against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and displayed moderate to marginal cytotoxicity.

Antioxidative phenolics from the fresh leaves of Ternstroemia japonica.

Six new phenylethanoid glucosides, ternstrosides A-F (1-6), a new kaempferol derivative (7), and eight known compounds were isolated from the fresh leaves of Ternstroemia japonica. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1-7 showed potent antioxidative activity in three different tests, with IC50 values in the range 3.26-6.50 microM in the hydroxyl radical (*OH) inhibitory activity test, 33.29-82.21 microM in the total ROS (reactive oxygen species) inhibitory activity test, and 1.14-13.53 microM in the peroxynitrite (ONOO-) scavenging activity test.

Cytotoxic oxylipins from a marine sponge Topsentia sp.

By a bioactivity-guided fractionation, seven new oxylipins, topsentolides A(1)-C(2) (1-7), were isolated from the MeOH extract of a marine sponge Topsentia sp. Detailed NMR and MS analyses established the planar structures of these structurally related oxylipins, which are proposed to be biosynthesized by lipoxygenation followed by cyclization of unsaturated fatty acids. Acetonide derivatives and MTPA esters were prepared to elucidate the stereochemistry of topsentolides B(1) (3), B(2) (4), and C(2) (7). All compounds were tested against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and displayed moderate cytotoxicity.

5,6:8,9-diepoxy and other cytotoxic sterols from the marine sponge Homaxinella sp.

Four new (1, 2, 4, and 5) and 14 known (3 and 6-18) polyoxygenated sterols have been isolated from the MeOH extract of the marine sponge Homaxinella sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The planar structures of the sterols were established by 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. 5,6:8,9-Diepoxy sterols (1-3) were isolated from a marine organism for the first time. The isolated sterols were tested against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and exhibited varying degrees of cytotoxicity.

New fatty acid derivatives from Homaxinella sp., a marine sponge.

Fractionation of the MeOH extract of Homaxinella sp., a marine sponge, led to the isolation of a sodium salt of a new brominated FA (1), two new MG (2 and 4), and a new lysoPC (6). The geometry of the double bonds in 1 and 2 was defined by comparison of the NMR chemical shifts of the allylic carbons, nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy correlations of the allylic protons, and coupling constants of the vinylic protons with those reported. Evidence mainly from NMR and MS analyses established the planar structures of the compounds. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines. Only compound 1 showed moderate activity.

Jacaranone and related compounds from the fresh fruits of Ternstroemia japonica and their antioxidative activity.

Jacaranone and related compounds (1-3) were isolated, along with three triterpenes (4-6), from the fresh fruits of Ternstroemia japonica. The compounds were identified as jacaranone (1), 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrojacaranone (2), 3-methoxy-2,3-dihydrojacaranone (3), 3-O-acetyloleanolic acid (4), 3-O-acetylursolic acid (5), and ursolic acid (6). Jacaranone and its derivatives were isolated for the first time from Theaceae. Of the isolated compounds, compound 3 is a new compound. Jacaranone (1) exhibited weak antioxidative effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.

Cytotoxic bisindole alkaloids from a marine sponge Spongosorites sp.

Three new bisindole alkaloids of the hamacanthin class (1-3) and one new bisindole alkaloid of the topsentin class (6) were isolated along with known bisindole alkaloids (4, 5, 7-11) from the MeOH extract of a marine sponge Spongosorites sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The planar structures were established on the basis of NMR, MS, and IR spectroscopic analyses. Configurations of compounds 1-4 were derived from 1H NMR data and optical rotation. Compounds 1, 4, 5, and 11 showed moderate to significant cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines, and compounds 1-5 showed weak antibacterial activity against clinically isolated methicillin-resistant strains.

Cytotoxic sterol derivatives from a marine sponge Homaxinella sp.

A bioactivity-guided fractionation of a marine sponge Homaxinella sp. has led to the isolation of three new (1-3) highly degraded sterols and four new 6-O-alkylated (6-9) sterols, along with known sterol derivatives. The degraded sterols (1-5) belong to the class incisterols, previously isolated from the marine sponge Dictyonella incisa. Mainly NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses established the gross structures of the new compounds. The relationship between the stereoisomerism of the side chain and HPLC retention time has also been discussed. The compounds were tested against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines, and especially the degraded sterols (1-4) displayed significant cytotoxicity.

Additional cytotoxic sterols and saponins from the starfish certonardoa semiregularis.

Twelve new (1-7, 9-13) polyhydroxysterols and two new saponins (14 and 15) were isolated from the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis by activity-guided fractionation. Compounds 1-7 are rare examples of 15-keto steroids from starfish. The side chain of compound 11 was also unprecedented in nature. The structures were determined by combined spectroscopic methods and chemical derivatization. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a small panel of human solid tumor cell lines, and most of them exhibited considerable activity. One of the 15-keto sterols (6) displayed the highest potency, which is comparable to that of doxorubicin.

Cytotoxic furanosesterterpenes from a marine sponge Psammocinia sp.

Three new (1-3) and seven known (4-10) cytotoxic furanosesterterpenes were isolated from a marine sponge Psammocinia sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS analyses. The geometry and absolute configuration were determined on the basis of optical rotation, NMR, and CD data. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a small panel of five human tumor cell lines, and most of the compounds showed toxicity to SK-MEL-2. The mixture of compounds 7 and 8 displayed significant inhibition of DNA replication and moderate antioxidant profile.

Cytotoxic sterols and saponins from the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis.

Eleven new polyhydroxysterols (1-11) and eight new saponins (12-19) were isolated from the brine shrimp active fraction of the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical derivatization. The structural variations of these compounds are due to the hydroxylation pattern of the sterol nucleus, the functionalization of the side chain, or the nature and location of the saccharide moiety. These compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity against a small panel of human solid tumor cell lines.

New cytotoxic metabolites from a marine sponge Homaxinella sp.

Three new butenolides (1-3), a new cyclopentenone derivative (4), and a known alcohol (5) were isolated from a marine sponge Homaxinella sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The planar structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS analyses. The stereochemistry of the butenolides and cyclopentenone derivative was defined on the basis of optical rotation and CD spectroscopy. The compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against a panel of five human solid tumor cell lines and displayed marginal to significant activity.

New cytotoxic sesterterpenoids and norsesterterpenoids from two sponges of the genus Sarcotragus.

New norsesterterpenoids (3 and 4), a sesterterpenoid (6), pyrroloterpenoids (7-10), and a stereoisomer of kurospongin (5) were isolated, along with known furanosesterterpenes (11-15), from two marine sponges of the genus Sarcotragus. The gross structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS analysis. The stereochemistry was defined by combined use of NMR and CD spectroscopy. The compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines and were found to exhibit marginal to moderate activity.

New bromotyrosine derivatives from an association of two sponges, Jaspis wondoensis and Poecillastra wondoensis.

Three new bromotyrosine derivatives (4-6) were isolated from an association of two sponges, Jaspis wondoensis and Poecillastra wondoensis, along with the previously described (E,E)-psammaplin A (1), (E,Z)-psammaplin A (2), psammaplin D (3), bisaprasin (7), and (3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)acetonitrile (8). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The compounds 1, 3, and 5-7 displayed significant cytotoxicity against human lung (A549), ovarian (SK-OV-3), skin (SK-MEL-2), CNS (XF498), and colon (HCT15) cancer cell lines. Compounds 3-7 were further evaluated for antibacterial activity against methicillin- or ofloxacin-resistant Staphylococcus strains. Compound 4 exhibited more potent antibacterial activity than meropenem against several strains.

Triterpenoid saponins from the fruits of Ternstroemia japonica.

Three new triterpenoidal monodesmosides (1-3) and three new triterpenoidal bisdesmosides (4-6), together with two known saponins (7 and 8), were isolated from the fresh fruits of Ternstroemia japonica. The structures of 1-6 (ternstroemiasides A-F) were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical degradation.

New lysophosphatidylcholines and monoglycerides from the marine sponge Stelletta sp.

Two new lysophosphatidylcholines (1, 2) and four new monoglycerides (5-8) were isolated from the marine sponge Stelletta sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The planar structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of NMR and MS analyses. The stereochemistry was defined by comparison of the optical rotation. The compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a small panel of five human tumor cell lines.

Four new saponins from the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis.

Four new saponins, designated as certonardosides K-N (1-3, 5), were isolated, along with culcitoside C(6) (4), from the brine shrimp active fraction of the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical derivatization. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity.

Bioactive sterols from the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis.

Thirteen new polyhydroxysterols (1-5, 7-12, 14, 15) and two known polyhydroxysterols (6, 13) were isolated from the brine shrimp active fraction of the starfish Certonardoa semiregularis. The structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical derivatization. These compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity against a small panel of human solid tumor cell lines. These compounds were also evaluated for antibacterial activity against 20 clinically isolated strains. Most of the compounds showed weak antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes 308A, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1771, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1771M.

New acetylenic acids from the marine sponge Stelletta species.

Four new acetylenic acids were isolated from the marine sponge Stelletta sp. by bioactivity-guided fractionation. The planar structures were established on the basis of NMR and MS analysis. The stereochemistry was defined by combined use of CD spectroscopy and a chiral anisotropic reagent, phenylglycine methyl ester (PGME). The compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a small panel of five human tumor cell lines and exhibited marginal to moderate cytotoxicity.