Pseudaboydins A and B: Novel Isobenzofuranone Derivatives from Marine Fungus Pseudallescheria boydii Associated with Starfish Acanthaster planci

Two novel isobenzofuranone derivatives, pseudaboydins A (1) and B (2), along with five known compounds, including (R)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxybenzofuran (3), (R)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,3-dihydro-5-methoxybenzofuran (4), 3,3′-dihydroxy-5,5′-dimethyldiphenyl ether (5), 3-(3-methoxy-5-methylphenoxy)-5-methylphenol (6) and (−)-regiolone (7), were isolated from the culture broth of the marine fungus, Pseudallescheria boydii, associated with the starfish, Acanthaster planci. Their structures were elucidated primarily based on NMR and MS data. The absolute configurations of 1–4 were determined by CD spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of 1–4 were evaluated. Pseudaboydin A (1) showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line HONE1, human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line SUNE1 and human glandular lung cancer cell line GLC82 with IC₅₀ values of 37.1, 46.5 and 87.2 μM, respectively.     

Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids,Hirsutalins S–V,from the Formosan Soft Coral Cladiella hirsuta

Four new eunicellin-type hirsutalins S–V (1–4), along with a known compound (–)-6α-hydroxy polyanthellin A (5), were isolated from the soft coral Cladiella hirsuta. The structures of the metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxity of compounds 1–5 against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines was measured. Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1–5 was evaluated by measuring their ability in suppressing superoxide anion generation and elastase release in fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.     

Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids,Hirsutalins N–R,from the Formosan Soft Coral Cladiella hirsuta

New eunicellin-type hirsutalins N–R (1–5), along with two known eunicellins, (6 and 7) were isolated from the soft coral Cladiella hirsuta. The structures of the metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxic activity of compounds 1–7 against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines was measured. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1–7 was evaluated by measuring their ability in suppressing superoxide anion generation and elastase release in fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.     

Six New Tetraprenylated Alkaloids from the South China Sea Gorgonian Echinogorgia pseudossapo

Six new tetraprenylated alkaloids, designated as malonganenones L–Q (1–6), were isolated from the gorgonian Echinogorgia pseudossapo, collected in Daya Bay of Guangdong Province, China. The structures of 1–6 featuring a methyl group at N-3 and a tetraprenyl chain at N-7 in the hypoxanthine core were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1–6 were tested for their inhibitory activity against the phosphodiesterases (PDEs)-4D, 5A, and 9A, and compounds 1 and 6 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against PDE4D with IC₅₀ values of 8.5 and 20.3 µM, respectively.     

Cytotoxic Polyketides from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Engyodontium album DFFSCS021

Eight new chromones, engyodontiumones A–H (1–8), and three new phenol derivatives (9–11) together with eight known polyketides (12–19) were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Engyodontium album DFFSCS021. Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 8 and 16 showed significant selective cytotoxicity against human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 4.9 and 8.8 μM, respectively. In addition, this is the first time to report that 8, 15 and 16 had mild antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, and 15 showed potent antilarval activity against barnacle Balanus amphitrite larval settlement.     

Klymollins T–X,Bioactive Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral Klyxum molle

Five new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, klymollins T–X (1–5), along with two known compounds (6 and 7) have been isolated from the soft coral Klyxum molle. The structures of these new metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. Compound 5 was found to exert significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, compounds 4 and 7 were shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against a limited panel of human cancer cell lines.     

Chemistry and Tumor Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity of 11,20-Epoxy-3Z,5(6)E-diene Briaranes from the South China Sea Gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea

Eighteen new 11,20-epoxy-3Z,5E-dien briaranes, gemmacolides AA–AR (1–18), were isolated together with three known analogs, dichotellides F (19) and I (20), and juncenolide C (21), from the South China Sea gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data. The absolute configuration was determined based on the ECD experiment. In the in vitro bioassay, compounds 1–3, 5, 6, 8–12, and 14–19 exhibited different levels of growth inhibition activity against A549 and MG63 cell lines. Preliminary structure-activity analysis suggests that 12-O-isovalerate may increase the activity whereas 13- or 14-O-isovalerate may decrease the activity. Contribution of substitutions at C-2 and C-16 remains uncertain.     

Polyhydroxylated Steroids from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton sp. and Their Cytotoxic and Antiviral Activities

Chemical investigation on the soft coral Sarcophyton sp. collected from the South China Sea yielded three new polyhydroxylated steroids, compounds (1–3), together with seven known ones (4–10). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods and comparison of their data with those of the related known compounds. All the isolates possessed the 3β,5α,6β-trihydroxylated steroidal nucleus. The cytotoxicities against selected HL-60, HeLa and K562 tumor cell lines and anti-H1N1 (Influenza A virus (IAV)) activities for the isolates were evaluated. Compounds 2, 3 and 5–8 exhibited potent activities against K562 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.4 to 10.3 μM. Compounds 1, 6–8 potently inhibited the growth of HL-60 tumor cell lines, and 6 also showed cytotoxicity towards HeLa cell lines. In addition, preliminary structure-activity relationships for the isolates are discussed. The OAc group at C-11 is proposed to be an important pharmacophore for their cytotoxicities in the 3β,5α,6β-triol steroids. Compounds 4 and 9 exhibited significant anti-H1N1 IAV activity with IC₅₀ values of 19.6 and 36.7 μg/mL, respectively.     

Dichotocejpins A–C: New Diketopiperazines from a Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii FS110

Three new diketopiperazines, dichotocejpins A–C (1–3), together with eight known analogues (4–11), were isolated from the culture of the deep-sea sediment derived fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii FS110. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by a combination of HRESIMS, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and ECD calculations. Compounds 4–6, 10–11 showed significant cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, HepG-2, and SF-268 tumor cell lines. Compound 1 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ of 138 μM.     

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 Scalarane Sesterterpenoids from the Formosan Sponge Ircinia felix

Five new scalarane sesterterpenoids, felixins A–E (1–5), were isolated from the Formosan sponge Ircinia felix. The structures of scalaranes 1–5 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity of scalaranes 1–5 against the proliferation of a limited panel of tumor cell lines was evaluated.     

Bioactive Chaetoglobosins from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum

A novel chaetoglobosin named penochalasin I (1) with a unprecedented six-cyclic 6/5/6/5/6/13 fused ring system, and another new chaetoglobosin named penochalasin J (2), along with chaetoglobosins G, F, C, A, E, armochaetoglobosin I, and cytoglobosin C (3–9) were isolated from the culture of Penicillium chrysogenum V11. Their structures were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and high resolution mass spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by comparing the theoretical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation with the experimental CD. Compound 1 was the first example, with a six-cyclic fused ring system formed by the connection of C-5 and C-2′ of the chaetoglobosin class. Compounds 5–8 remarkably inhibited the plant pathogenic fungus R. solani (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) = 11.79–23.66 μM), and compounds 2, 6, and 7 greatly inhibited C. gloeosporioides (MICs = 23.58–47.35 μM), showing an antifungal activity higher than that of carbendazim. Compound 1 exhibited marked cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-435 and SGC-7901 cells (IC₅₀ < 10 μM), and compounds 6 and 9 showed potent cytotoxicity against SGC-7901 and A549 cells (IC₅₀ < 10 μM).     

Cubitanoids and Cembranoids from the Soft Coral Sinularia nanolobata

Two new cubitanoids, nanoculones A and B (1 and 2), and three new cembranoids, nanolobols A–C (3–5), as well as six known compounds, calyculone I (6), sinulariuol A (7), sinulariols C, D, H, and J (8–11), were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata, collected off the coast of the eastern region of Taiwan. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity of compounds 1–11 was evaluated. The nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity of selected compounds was further measured by assay of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NO production in activated RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that none of 1–11 exhibited cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cell lines, whereas compound 8 was found to significantly reduce NO production.     

Three New Resveratrol Derivatives from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Alternaria sp.

Three new resveratrol derivatives, namely, resveratrodehydes A–C (1–3), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Alternaria sp. R6. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by analysis of their MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. All compounds showed broad-spectrum inhibitory activities against three human cancer cell lines including human breast MDA-MB-435, human liver HepG2, and human colon HCT-116 by MTT assay (IC₅₀ < 50 μM). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 both exhibited marked cytotoxic activities against MDA-MB-435 and HCT-116 cell lines (IC₅₀ < 10 μM). Additionally, compounds 1 and 3 showed moderate antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging assay.     

Aaptamine Derivatives with Antifungal and Anti-HIV-1 Activities from the South China Sea Sponge Aaptos aaptos

Five new alkaloids of aaptamine family, compounds (1–5) and three known derivatives (6–8), have been isolated from the South China Sea sponge Aaptos aaptos. The structures of all compounds were unambiguously elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, as well as by comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1–2 are characterized with triazapyrene lactam skeleton, whereas compounds 4–5 share an imidazole-fused aaptamine moiety. These compounds were evaluated in antifungal and anti-HIV-1 assays. Compounds 3, 7, and 8 showed antifungal activity against six fungi, with MIC values in the range of 4 to 64 μg/mL. Compounds 7–8 exhibited anti-HIV-1 activity, with inhibitory rates of 88.0% and 72.3%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM.     

Briarane Diterpenes from the South China Sea Gorgonian Coral,Junceella gemmacea

Four new briarane diterpenoids, junceellolides M–P (1–4), were isolated together with seven known analogs (5–11) from the South China Sea gorgonian, Junceella gemmacea. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the reported data. The absolute configuration of compounds 1–3 were determined based on an ECD experiment, while the absolute configuration of compound 4 was genetically determined. All the compounds were isolated for the first time from J. gemmacea. These compounds showed no growth inhibitory activity against A549, MG63 and SMMC-7721 cell lines in an in vitro bioassay.     

Five New Cytotoxic Metabolites from the Marine Fungus Neosartorya pseudofischeri

The marine fungus Neosartorya pseudofischeri was isolated from Acanthaster planci from the South China Sea. In a preliminary bioactivity screening, the crude methanol extract of the fungal mycelia showed significant inhibitory activity against the Sf9 cell line from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. Five novel compounds, including 5-olefin phenylpyropene A (1), 13-dehydroxylpyripyropene A (4), deacetylsesquiterpene (7), 5-formyl-6-hydroxy-8-isopropyl-2- naphthoic acid (9) and 6,8-dihydroxy-3-((1E,3E)-penta-1,3-dien-1-yl)isochroman-1-one (10), together with eleven known compounds, phenylpyropene A (2) and C (3), pyripyropene A (5), 7-deacetylpyripyropene A (6), (1S,2R,4aR,5R,8R,8aR)-1,8a-dihydroxy-2-acetoxy-3,8-dimethyl-5- (prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,2,4a, 5,6,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalene (8), isochaetominine C (11), trichodermamide A (12), indolyl-3-acetic acid methyl ester (13), 1-acetyl-β-carboline (14), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-hydroxyl-2-methyl-l,3,4-trioxopyrazino[l,2-a]-indole (15) and fumiquinazoline F (16), were obtained. The structures of these compounds were determined mainly by MS and NMR data. The absolute configuration of 9 was assigned by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 1–11 and 15 showed significant cytotoxicity against the Sf9 cells from S. frugiperda.     

Bioactive Steroids from the Formosan Soft Coral Umbellulifera petasites

Three new steroids, petasitosterones A and B (1 and 2) and a spirosteroid petasitosterone C (3), along with eight known steroids (4–11), were isolated from a Formosan marine soft coral Umbellulifera petasites. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison of spectroscopic data with those reported. Compound 3 is a marine steroid with a rarely found A/B spiro[4,5]decane ring system. Compounds 1–3 and 5 displayed inhibitory activity against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines, whereas 2 and 5 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production. The inhibitory activities for superoxide anion generation and elastase release of compounds 1–11 were also examined to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential, and 2–4 were shown to exhibit significant activities.     

A Coralline Algal-Associated Bacterium,Pseudoalteromonas Strain J010, Yields Five New Korormicins and a Bromopyrrole

The ethanol extract of Pseudoalteromonas strain J010, isolated from the surface of the crustose coralline alga Neogoniolithon fosliei, yielded thirteen natural products. These included a new bromopyrrole, 4′-((3,4,5-tribromo-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyl)phenol (1) and five new korormicins G–K (2–6). Also isolated was the known inducer of coral larval metamorphosis, tetrabromopyrrole (TBP), five known korormicins (A–E, previously named 1, 1a–c and 3) and bromoalterochromide A (BAC-A). Structures of the new compounds were elucidated through interpretation of spectra obtained after extensive NMR and MS investigations and comparison with literature values. The antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal potential of 1–6, TBP and BAC-A was assessed. Compounds 1–6 showed antibacterial activity while BAC-A exhibited antiprotozoal properties against Tetrahymena pyriformis. TBP was found to have broad-spectrum activity against all bacteria, the protozoan and the fungus Candida albicans.     

New Furan and Cyclopentenone Derivatives from the Sponge-Associated Fungus Hypocrea Koningii PF04

Two new furan derivatives, hypofurans A and B (1 and 2), and three new cyclopentenone derivatives, hypocrenones A–C (3–5), along with seven known compounds (6–12), were isolated from a marine fungus Hypocrea koningii PF04 associated with the sponge Phakellia fusca. Among them, compounds 10 and 11 were obtained for the first time as natural products. The planar structures of compounds 1–5 were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Meanwhile, the absolute configuration of 1 was determined as 2R,3R by the comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. All the isolates were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Compounds 1, 10, and 12 all showed modest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 (MIC, 32 μg/mL). In addition, compounds 1, 10 and 11 exhibited moderate DPPH radical scavenging capacity with IC₅₀ values of 27.4, 16.8, and 61.7 µg/mL, respectively.