Fragilolides A-Q, norditerpenoid and briarane diterpenoids from the gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis

Abstract Chemical investigation of the gorgonian coral Junceella fragilis resulted in the isolation of a new norditerpenoid fragilolide A ( 1 ), sixteen new briarane diterpenoids fragilolides B-Q ( 2–17 ), together with frajunolides H and N, and three known norcembranoids scabrolide D, sinuleptolide and 5- epi -sinuleptolide. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including the experimental and calculated ECD data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction for the configurational assignments. The structure of fragilolide A featured an unprecedented 4,13- and 7,11-fused tetracyclic norcembranoid, while the biogenetic relationships of the briarane analogues were postulated. Frajunolide H exerted significant inhibition against a panel of tumor cell lines, and six briarane diterpenoids ( 3 , 6 , 8 , 12 , 16 , and frajunolide N) exhibited the inhibitory effects against the HBeAg express of hepatitis B virus in HepAD38 cells. In addition, sinuleptolide and 5- epi -sinuleptolide exerted the effects to inhibit NO production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, in addition to the activation of ARE and the inhibition of NF-κB expression.