Palinurin,a new linear sesterterpene from a marine sponge

Summary The structure of a new linear sesterterpene, palinurin (1), obtained from the marine spongeIrcinia variabilis, was determined by spectral and chemical means.This work was carried out at the Progetto Finalizzato Oceanografia e Fondi Marini, C.N.R., Roma. We thank Professor M. Sarà (University of Genova) for the identification of the sponge, Mr C. Di Pinto for¹H-and¹³C-NMR, Mr G. Scognamiglio for technical assistance.     

The inhibitory effects of a dermal extract upon granulation tissue

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences - Injection of a water-soluble dermal extract into adult rats resulted in depression of DNA synthesis in granulation tissue at 3 different sites of injury, but...     

Isolation of a hexaprenylhydroquinone sulfate from the marine sponge Dysidea sp. as an H,K-ATPase inhibitor

A hexaprenylhydroquinone sulfate has been isolated as an H,K-ATPase inhibitor from a marine sponge Dysidea sp. It also inhibited phospholipase A2 as well as secretion of gastric acid in rats.     

Molliorin-B,a second scalarin-like pyrroloterpene from the sponge Cacospongia mollior

Summary On the basis of chemical and spectral evidence, structureIV was assigned to molliorin-b, a scalarin-like pyrroloterpene present in the marine sponge Cacospongia mollior. StructureIV was confirmed by synthesis.Acknowledgements. We are grateful to C. Sepe, I. Giudicianni and A. Cantilena (Istituto di Chimica Organica dell'Università di Napoli, Italia) for the technical assistance. This investigation was supported by a grant of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome.     

Isometachromin,a new cytotoxic sesquiterpenoid from a deep water sponge of the family Spongiidae

Isometachromin (1), a new sesquiterpene-quinone that is related structurally to metachromin C (2), and the known compounds ilimaquinone (3) and and 5-epi-ilimaquinone (4), were isolated from a deep water sponge in the family Spongiidae; the structure of isometachromin was elucidated by spectral methods. Isometachromin exhibits in vitro cytotoxicity against the human lung cancer cell line A 549 (IC₅₀=2.6 g/ml), but not against P 388 murine leukemia (IC₅₀10 g/ml) and also exhibits antimicrobial activity.This research is Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) contribution number 911. We thank Drs S. A. Pomponi and M. Kelly-Borges (HBOI) for sponge taxonomy, and Dr P. McCarthy and T. Peterson (HBOI) for antimicrobial data.     

Luffolide, a novel anti-inflammatory terpene from the sponge Luffariella sp.

Luffolide (4) is a minor metabolite of the sponge Luffariella sp. from Palau. The structure of luffolide was determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. Luffolide is relatively unstable and undergoes a complex cyclization reaction to give the hexacyclic products 5 and 6. Luffolide (4) has some of the anti-inflammatory properties of manoalide (1): this may help to define the chemical reaction between manoalide (1) and phospholipase A2.     

Isometachromin, a new cytotoxic sesquiterpenoid from a deep water sponge of the family Spongiidae.

Isometachromin (1), a new sesquiterpene-quinone that is related structurally to metachromin C (2), and the known compounds ilimaquinone (3) and 5-epi-ilimaquinone (4), were isolated from a deep water sponge in the family Spongiidae; the structure of isometachromin was elucidated by spectral methods. Isometachromin exhibits in vitro cytotoxicity against the human lung cancer cell line A549 (IC50 = 2.6 micrograms/ml), but not against P388 murine leukemia (IC 50 > or equal to 10 micrograms/ml) and also exhibits antimicrobial activity.     

Hymenin, a novel alpha-adrenoreceptor blocking agent from the Okinawan marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp

A novel bromine-containing alkaloid, hymenin, has been isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge Hymeniacidon sp. as a potent alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agent and its structure determined to be 1 on the basis of the spectral data.     

1,1-Dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxyindolinium chloride from a deep water marine sponge,Dercitus sp.

Summary 1,1-Dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxyindolinium chloride (1a)was identified from a deep water sample of the marine sponge,Dercitus sp., and its structure was elucidated by spectral methods.Acknowledgments. This is Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc., SeaPharm Project Contribution No. 612. We thank Drs K. Rinehart, Jr, S. Pomponi and E. Armstrong for sponge collection.     

(+)-Curcuphenol and dehydrocurcuphenol, novel sesquiterpenes which inhibit H,K-ATPase, from a marine sponge Epipolasis sp

Two H,K-ATPase inhibitors and an inactive related compound have been isolated from a marine sponge Epipolasis sp. They are aromatic sesquiterpene alpha-curcumenes.     

Possible origin of zeaxanthin in the marine sponge,Reniera japonica

As part of a study to clarify the origins of biologically active substances in marine sponges, the carotenoids produced by two species of marine bacteria,Flexibacter sp. strain number DK30213 and DK30223, associated with the marine sponge,Reniera japonica, were investigated. Both bacteria were found to produce zeaxanthin [(3R, 3R)-dihydroxy-,-carotene] which is widely distributed in marine organisms. This carotenoid was also detected in the host sponge, suggesting the transport of zeaxanthin from the microorganisms to the host. As zeaxanthin plays the role of a quencher and scavenger for active species of oxygen, it is presumed that the sponge accumulates the bacterial product as a defense substance against the active oxygen species produced under irradiation by strong sunlight. It is thought that the bacteria are symbionts of the host sponge and act by obtaining the solid substrate and medium needed for settlement and growth from the host, and by producing and transmitting the biologically active substance to the host. Zeaxanthin-producing bacteria are also considered to have potential for practical uses by the aquacultural, pharmaceutical and food industries.     

Antitumor activity of an aqueous extract ofAmanita phalloides Fr.

Riassunto L'estratto totale ecquoso diAmanita phalloides Fr., se somministrato in dose non letale, inibisce il trapianto del tumore ascite di Yoshida AH130 nel ratto. Tale attività non dipende nè dalla -amanitina nè dalla falloidina. I ratti cosi trattati sono immunizzati contro altre inoculazioni di ascite. L'attività inibitoria dellaAmanita phalloides è confermata con ricerche in vitro.