Diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and a C-15-acetogenin from the marine red alga Laurencia mariannensis

In addition to 10 known compounds (7-16), one new brominated diterpene, 10-hydroxykahukuene B (1), two new sesquiterpenes, 9-deoxyelatol (2) and isodactyloxene A (3), one new brominated C-15-acetogenin, laurenmariallene (4), and two new naturally occurring halogenated sesquiterpenes (5 and 6) that were previously obtained as intemediates in a biomimetic synthetic study of rhodolaureol and rhodolauradiol have been isolated and identified from the organic extract of the marine red alga Laurencia mariannensis. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of new compounds 1-4 were evaluated.

Laurendecumallenes A-B and laurendecumenynes A-B, halogenated nonterpenoid C-15-Acetogenins from the marine red alga Laurencia decumbens

Four new halogenated nonterpenoid C-15-acetogenins, 4:7,6:13-bisepoxy-9,10-diol-1,12-dibromopentadeca-1,2-diene (1, laurendecumallene A), 4:7,6:12-bisepoxy-9,10-diol-1,13-dibromopentadeca-1,2-diene (2, laurendecumallene 13), (3Z)-6:10,7:13-bisepoxy-12-bromo-9-hydroperoxylpentadeca-3-en-1-yne (3, laurendecumenyne A), and (3Z)-6:10,9:13-bisepoxy-12-bromo-7-chloropentadeca-3-en-1-yne (4, laurendecumenyne 13), together with one known halogenated C-15-acetogenin elatenyne (5) were isolated and identified from the organic extract of the marine red alga Laurencia decumbens. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were established by means of spectroscopic analysis including UV, IR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and ID and 2D NMR techniques. All these metabolites were submitted for the cytotoxic assay against tumor cell line A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma), but all of them were found inactive (IC50 > 10 mu g/mL).

Benzaldehyde derivatives from Eurotium rubrum, an endophytic fungus derived from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus

Four new (1-4) and seven known (5-11) benzaldehyde derivatives were characterized from the liquid fermentation cultures of Eurotium rubrum, an endophytic fungus that was isolated from the inner tissue of stems of the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among these metabolites, compound 1, which was named as eurotirumin, possesses a new carbon skeleton with a cyclopentabenzopyran ring system.

Chinikomycins A and B: Isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of novel antibiotics from a marine Streptomyces sp isolate M045

In our screening of marine Streptomycetes for bioactive principles, two novel antitumor antibiotics designated as chinikomycins A (2a) and B (2b) were isolated together with manumycin A (1), and their structures were elucidated by a detailed interpretation of their spectra. Chinikomycins A (2a) and B (2b) are chlorine-containing aromatized manumycin derivatives of the type 64-pABA-2 with an unusual para orientation of the side chains. They exhibited antitumor activity against different human cancer cell lines, but were inactive in antiviral, antimicrobial, and phytotoxicity tests.

Bromophenols from the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata with DPPH radical scavenging activity

Three new (1-3) and three known (4-6) bromophenols were isolated and identified from the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata. On the basis of extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, the structures of these compounds were determined to be 7-bromo-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,3,5,6-tetraol (1), 4,7-dibromo-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,3,5,6-tetraol (2), 1,8-dibromo-5,7-dihydrodibenzo[c,e]oxepine-2,3,9,10-tetraol (3), urceolatol (4), 3-,bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaidehyde (5), and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (6). Each of the isolated compounds was evaluated for alpha,alpha-dipheny1-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and all were found to be potent, with IC50 values ranging from 6.1 to 35.8 mu M, compared to the positive control, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), with an IC50 of 83.8 mu M.

Aglacins I-K, three highly methoxylated lignans from Aglaia cordata

Further chemical investigation of the stem bark of Aglaia cordata has led to the isolation and identification of three new lignans, namely, aglacins I-K (1-3), all of which contain two contiguous trimethoxylated phenyl systems. Among them, aglacins I and J (1 and 2) are new members of the aryltetralin cyclic lactol class, while aglacin K (3) is a new example of tetralrydrofuran lignan. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation.

Chaetopyranin, a benzaldehyde derivative, and other related metabolites from Chaetomium globosum, an endophytic fungus derived from the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata

Cultivation of the endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum, which was isolated from the inner tissue of the marine red alga Polysiphonia urceolata, resulted in the isolation of chaetopyranin (1), a new benzaldehyde secondary metabolite. Ten known compounds were also isolated, including two benzaldehyde congeners, 2-(2 ',3-epoxy-1 ',3 '-heptadienyl)-6-hydroxy- 5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) benzaldehyde (2) and isotetrahydroauroglaucin (3), two anthraquinone derivatives, erythroglaucin (4) and parietin (5), five asperentin derivatives including asperentin ( 6, also known as cladosporin), 5 '-hydroxy-asperentin-8-methylether (7), asperentin-8-methyl ether (8), 4 '-hydroxyasperentin (9), and 5 '-hydroxyasperentin (10), and the prenylated diketopiperazine congener neoechinulin A (11). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data analysis (H-1, C-13, H-1-H-1 COSY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR, as well as low- and high-resolution mass experiments). To our knowledge, compound 1 represents the first example of a 2H-benzopyran derivative of marine algal-derived fungi as well as of the fungal genus Chaetomium. Each isolate was tested for its DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging property. Compounds 1-4 were found to have moderate activity. Chaetopyranin (1) also exhibited moderate to weak cytotoxic activity toward several tumor cell lines.

Amorphane sesquiterpenes from a marine Streptomyces sp.

The chemical investigation of the crude extract of the marine-derived Streptomyces sp. M491 yielded three new sesquiterpenes, namely, 10 alpha,11-dihydroxyamorph-4-ene (4), 10 alpha,15-dihydroxyamorph-4-en-3-one (6), and 5 alpha,10 alpha,11-trihydroxyamorphan-3-one (7). In addition, the known compounds 10 alpha-hydroxyamorph-4-en-3-one (2), o-hydroxyacetanilide, genistein, prunetin, and indole-3-carbaldehyde and the macrolide antibiotic chalcomycin A were identified. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D and 2D NMR data. This is the first report of these sesquiterpenes from bacteria.

A new method for screening alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and application to marine microorganisms

A new enzyme assay method for screening alpha-glucosidase inhibitors with rapidity and simplicity was developed. The enzyme-substituted alpha-glucosidases for this assay was glucoamylase. Samples were spotted or developed on the silica gel plate. The agar solution containing substrate was poured on the plate, and paper impregnated with enzyme was layered on the agar. After incubation, an inhibitory circle would appear around the inhibitor. By using this method, more than 200 strains of marine microorganisms were screened. Among them, three active strains were found to secrete inhibitors in the culture medium.

Chandrananimycins A-C: Production of novel anticancer antibiotics from a marine Actinomadura sp isolate M048 by variation of medium composition and growth conditions

In our screening of marine actinomycetes for bioactive principles, three novel antibiotics designated as chandrananimycin A (3c), B (3d) and C (4) were isolated from the culture broth of a marine Actinomadura sp. isolate M045. The structures of the new antibiotics were determined by detailed interpretation of mass, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectra.

The experimental research of R-phycoerythrin subunits on cancer treatment: A new photosensitizer in PDT

The mouse tumor cell 5180 and human liver carcinoma cell SMC 7721 cells were first treated with R-PE and its subunits (alpha, beta, gamma subunits), then irradiated with Argon laser (496 nm, 28.8 J/cm(2)). Survival rate was measured by MTT method. In order to compare the phototoxicity in normal cells, the mouse marrow cells were treated with photofrin II and beta-subunit, irradiated with 45 J/cm(2) of light; survival rate was also measured by MTT method. The result showed that R-PE subunits had better PDT effect on s180 cells than R-PE and lower phototoxicity in marrow cells than photofrin II Flow cytometric analysis showed that PDT results in a growth inhibition and a G(0)-G(1) cell cycle arrest in SMC 7721 cells. The tumor cells inhibited by PDT in vivo were morphologically observed by TEM, the tumor cell death was daze to the occlusion of tumor blood vessels and inducement of cell programmed death in nuclei. Therefore, with the advantage in special fluorescence activity, loth molecular weight, good light absorbent character and weak phototoxicity, R-PE subunit is art attractive option for improving the selectivity of PDT.

Comparative researches on effects of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and sodium dodecyl sulfate upon Lateolabrax japonicus biomarker system

Fish Lateolabrax japonicus were exposed to anion surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at 1 mg/l, respectively, for 6, 12 and 18 d, with one control group. Liver antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were determined; brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and liver inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities were also measured. The results of the study indicated that these parameters made different, sometimes, adverse responses to SDBS and SDS exposure, such as the activity of NOS can be inhibited by SDBS and induced by SDS, the different physico-chemical characteristics of SDBS and SDS should be responsible for their effects on enzyme activities. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of egg hatching success and larvae survival of the scallop, Chlamys farreri, associated with exposure to cells and cell fragments of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense

We report an apparently novel toxic effect of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, manifested by inhibition of the egg hatching success of the scallop, Chlamys farreri. The hatching rate of C. farreri approached only 30% of controls when its fertilised eggs were exposed for 36 h to A. tamarense cells or cellular fragments at a concentration of 100 cells/ml, and the hatching rate was just 5% after exposure to A. tamarense of 500 cells/ml. Similar exposures of the fertilised scallop eggs to two other algal species, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and the raphidophyte Heterosigma carterae, resulted in no such toxicity or inhibitory effects.. Likewise, exposure of eggs to standard STX toxin. as well as to A. tamarense cell contents (supernant of re-suspended algal cells following ultrasonication and centrifugation), did not elicit this inhibitory response. However, exposure of the scallop eggs to cell cultures, intact algal cells, or cell fragments of A. tamarense produced marked toxicity. The alga also influenced larvae at early D-shape stage of scallop. The survival rates began to decrease significantly after exposed for 6 days at concentration of 3000 cells/ml and above: no larvae could survive after 14-day exposure to A. tamarense at 10,000 cells/ml or 20-day at 5000 cells/ml. The results indicated the production of novel substances from A. tamarense which can cause adverse effects on egg hatching and survival of the scallop larvae, The experiment also found that the developmental stages before blastula was the developmental period most sensitive to the A. tamarense toxin(s) and the alga at early exponential stage had the strongest effect on egg hatching comparing with other growth phases. The adverse effect of A. tamarense on early development of scallops may cause decline of shellfish population and may have further impact on marine ecosystem. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toxin-screening and identification of bacteria isolated from highly toxic marine gastropod Nassarius semiplicatus

Bacteria isolated from a highly toxic sample of gastropod Nassarius semiplicatus in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province in July 2007, were studied to probe into the relationship between bacteria and toxicity of nassariid gastropod. The toxicity of the gastropod sample was 2 x 10(2) mouse unit (MU) Per gram Of tissue (wet weight). High concentration of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and its analogues (TTXs) were found in the digestive gland and muscle of the gastropod, using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass chromatography (LC-MS). Bacterial strains isolated from the digestive gland were cultured and screened for TTX with a competitive ELISA method. Tetrodotoxin was detected in a proportion of bacterial strains, but the toxin content was low. Partial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of the TTX-producing strains was then sequenced and compared with those published in the GenBank to tentatively identify the toxic strains. It was found that most of the toxic strains were closely affiliated with genus Vibrio, and the others were related to genus Shewanella, Marinomonas, Tenacibaculum and Aeromonas. These findings suggest that tetrodotoxin-producing bacteria might play an important role in tetrodotoxin accumulation/production in N. semiplicatus. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dibenzyl bromophenols with diverse dimerization patterns from the brown alga Leathesia nana

Six novel dibenzyl bromophenols (1-6) with different dimerization patterns and two propyl bromophenol derivatives (7 and 8), together with 11 known bromophenol derivatives, were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the brown alga Leathesia nana. On the basis of spectroscopic methods the structures of the new compounds were determined as 5,6'-diethyloxymethyl-3,4,2'-tribromo-2,3',4'-trihydroxydiphenyl ether (1), 2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (2), 6-(2,3-dibromo-4,5dihydroxybenzyl)-2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxy benzyl methyl ether (3), 9,10-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3,4,7,8-tetrabromo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydroxyanthracene (4), (+)-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-4-bromo-5,6-dihydroxy-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran (5), rel-(4aS*,10aR*)-(+/-)-6,7-dibromo-4a-hydroxy-3,8-dihydroxymethyl-10a-methoxy- 1,4,4a, 10a-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin-1-one (6), (E)-2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)propenal (7), and 2-methyl-3-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanol (8). Some compounds including 3 showed in vitro selective cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines. This is the first brown alga to be reported containing bromophenols.