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New cytotoxic triterpene oligoglycoside disulfates, cucumariosides A3 (1) and A6-2 (2), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Cucumaria japonica. The trisulfated cucumarioside A7-3 (4) was found to be the major component in the glycoside fraction of Cucumaria miniata. The structures were assigned on the basis of extensive spectral data (NMR and MS), selective solvolysis of desulfated derivative 3 and other chemical evidence. The presence or absence of a carbonyl group at C-16 of the aglycone and of sulfate groups at C-6 of the glucose and 3-O-methylglucose units are interpreted in terms of the functional evolution of sea cucumbers in order to improve their defensive system. Both (1) and (2) are cytotoxic in vitro at IC50 = 1 μg/ml against a selection of five human and mice tumoral cell lines.

Three new minor triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides I1 (1), I3 (2) and I4 (3) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1-3 belong to the group of cucumariosides I, havingbranched pentasaccharide carbohydrate moieties with two sulfate groups and possessing 3-O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide unit that is a characteristic feature of all the glycosides isolated from E. fraudatrix. Glycosides 1 and 2 differ from each other by the side chain structures in the holostane aglycone moieties, while cucumarioside I4 (3) has a 23, 24, 25, 26, 27-pentanorlanostane aglycone with an 18 (16)-lactone. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1-3 against mouse spleen lymphocytes and ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells, along with hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and antifungal activity were studied. Glycoside 1, having an aglycone side chain with a 24 (25)-double bond, possesses moderate activity in all the tests, while glycoside 2, having 23 (24)-double bond and 25-hydroxy group in the side chain, and glycoside 3 with an aglycone with an 18 (16)-lactone and shortened side chain have either low activity or are non-active.

Five new minor triterpene glycosides, typicosides A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), C1 (4) and C2 (5), along with two known glycosides, intercedenside A and holothurin B3, have been isolated from the sea cucumber Actinocucumis typica. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy andMS. Glycosides 1-5 are linear mono- and disulfated tetraosides differing from each other in both aglycone structures and monosaccharide composition of the carbohydrate chains. Typicosides A1 (1) and A2 (2) have identical monosulfated carbohydrate moieties with a xylose residue as the third monosaccharide unit and differ from each other in aglycon structures. Typicoside B1 (3) has glucose as the third monosaccharide residue. Typicosides C1 (4) and C2 (5) contain the same disulfated carbohydrate chains and differ from each other in structures of aglycone side chains. Antifungal activity of glycosides 1-5 against three species of fungi along with cytotoxic activity against mouse spleen lymphocytes and mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells (ascite form), as well as hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. All new glycosides, except for typicoside C1 (4), containing a hydroxy-group in the aglycone side chain, demonstrate rather strong hemolytic and cytotoxic activities.

Triterpene glycosides isolated from holothurians are natural products known to possess cytotoxic properties against cancer cells. However, their anticancer prophylactic activity has not been studied sufficiently. The anticancer prophylactic, cytotoxic, and pro-apoptotic properties of 18 triterpene glycosides, as well as their effects on the transcriptional activities of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), were examined using methods that included EGF-induced JB6 Cl41 P+ cell transforation in soft agar, flow cytometry, MTS assessment of cell viability, and a luciferase activity assay. The compounds inhibited EGF-induced neoplastic JB6 Cl41 P+ cell transforation in soft agar and caused apoptosis and necrosis of human HL-60 and THP-1 leukemia cells. AP-1 and NF-κB were involved in the cellular response to the treatment by the compounds. Conclusion: glycosides isolated from holothurians of Cucumariidae, Stichopodidae, Psolidae, Holothuriidae and Synaptidae families have potential for development as new antitumor agents and as instruments to study AP-1 and NF-κB.

Four new trisulfated triterpene glycosides, fallaxosides D4 (1), D5 (2), D6 (3) and D7 (4) have been isolated from the sea cucumber Cucumaria fallax (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). The structures of the glycosides have been elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS. All the glycosides have the lanostane aglycones of a rare non-holostane type with 7(8)-, 8(9)- or 9(11)-double bonds, one or two hydroxyl groups occupying unusual positions in the polycyclic nucleus and shortened or normal side chains. The pentasaccharide carbohydrate moieties of 1–4 have three sulfate groups. The cytotoxic activity of glycosides 1–4 against the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells and mouse spleen lymphocytes and hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes have been studied.

Four new triterpene glycosides, fallaxosides C1 (1), C2 (2), D1 (3) and D2 (4) along with the known cucumarioside A3-2 (5) and koreoside A (6) have been isolated from the sea cucumber Cucumaria fallax (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of the glycosides have been elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. All of the glycosides are rare non-holostane derivatives having shortened side chains and contain pentasaccharide carbohydrate moieties with two or three sulfate groups. Structures of these triterpene glycosides and their comparison with those earlier isolated from Cucumaria spp. and Pseudocnus dubiosus leoninus allow us to suggest that the present assignment of C. fallax to the genus Pseudocnus is not correct, and this species should be assigned to the genus Cucumaria. Cytotoxic activity of glycosides 1–5 against the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells and mouse spleen lymphocytes and hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. The glycosides were expectedly not active in all the tests due to the absence of an 18(20)-lactone in their aglycones and the presence of several sulfate groups. There was one exception, cucumarioside A3-2 (5), which demonstrated a weak cytotoxicity against lymphocytes and moderate hemolytic activity.

The unusual non-holostane triterpene glycoside, colochiroside E (1) was isolated from the sea cucumber Colochirus robustus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). The structure of 1 was established by analysis of ID, 2D NMR and HRESI MS data. Colochiroside E (1) belongs to a rare group of glycosylated 9β-H-lanosta-18(16)-lactones and has an unprecedented sulfated trisaccharide carbohydrate chain consisting of two glucose and one xylose units. In contrast with (9β-H)-7(8)-unsaturated holostane glycosides, the 7(8)-double bond in the having (9β-H)-configuration aglycone of colochiroside E is not capable of migration into the 8(9)- and then into the 9(11)-position on treatment with HC1. The formation of a chlorine derivative of 1 was observed under these conditions.

Two new minor triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides B1 (1) and B2 (2) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1 and 2 belong to the cucumariosides B group and have unprecedented trisaccharide carbohydrate moieties without sulfate groups. Glycosides 1 and 2 differ from each other in side chain structures in the aglycone moieties. These minor substances are probably intermediate metabolites in the biosynthesis of triterpene pentaosides. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1 and 2 against mouse spleen lymphocytes and the cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma were studied, along with hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and antifungal activity. Cucumarioside B1 (1) was not active in any of the tests, while cucumarioside B2 (2) demonstrated moderate hemolytic activity and low cytotoxic action against Ehrlich carcinoma cells.

Seven new minor triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides A2 (1), A7 (2), A9 (3), A10 (4), A11 (5), A13 (6) and A14 (7) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1-7 belong to the group of cucumariosides A, having linear tetrasaccharide carbohydrate moieties without any sulfate group and possessing 3-O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide unit. Glycosides 1, 2, 5-7 differ from each other in side chain structures in aglycone moieties, while cucumarioside A10 (4) has a 23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanostane aglycone with 18(16)-lactone. Cucumarioside A9 (3), having an uncommon 18-hydroxy group, is the second representative of the unique metabolically active glycosides that are regarded as intermediates of glycoside biosynthesis in sea cucumbers. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1-7 and cucumarioside A8 (8) against mouse spleen lymphocytes and the cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma, along with hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and antifungal activity were studied. Cucumariosides A2 (1), A8 (8) and A13 (6) demonstrated high hemolytic activities. Glycosides 1, 4 and 6 showed moderate cytotoxic activity. Only cucumarioside A8 (8), having an 18-oxymethylene group and a 24(25)-double bond, was very active in all the tests.

Seven new minor triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides A1 (1), A3 (2), A4 (3), A5 (4), A6 (5), A12 (6) and A15 (7) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1-7 belong to the group of cucumariosides A, having linear tetrasaccharide carbohydrate moieties without any sulfate group and possessing 3-O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide unit. The latter peculiarity is rare in sea cucumber glycosides, but typical for the glycosides from E. fraudatrix. Glycosides 1-7 differ from each other by side chain structures in the aglycone moieties; three of them have unique structural features. The first is the presence of a 25-butoxy-group in the side chain of cucumarioside A3 (2), the second is a 23E,25-diene system in cucumarioside A6 (5) and the third is a 25-keto-27-nor-holostane aglycone in cucumarioside A12 (6); these were never previously found in sea cucumber glycosides. Cytotoxic activity of glycosides 1-7 against mouse spleen lymphocytes and the cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma, along with hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and antifungal activity were studied. Glycosides 1 and 5 were the most active in all the tests.

The in vitro interactions between triterpene glycoside, cucumarioside A(2)-2, isolated from the Far-Eastern holothurian Cucumaria japonica, and mouse splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage biomembranes were studied. Multiple experimental approaches were employed, including determination of biomembrane microviscosity, membrane potential and Ca(2+) signaling, and radioligand binding assays. Cucumarioside A(2)-2 exhibited strong cytotoxic effect in the micromolar range of concentrations and showed pronounced immunomodulatory activity in the nanomolar concentration range. It was established that the cucumarioside A(2)-2 effectively interacted with immune cells and increased the cellular biomembrane microviscosity. This interaction led to a dose-dependent reversible shift in cellular membrane potential and temporary biomembrane depolarization; and an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in the cytoplasm. It is suggested that there are at least two binding sites for [(3)H]-cucumarioside A(2)-2 on cellular membranes corresponding to different biomembrane components: a low affinity site match to membrane cholesterol that is responsible for the cytotoxic properties, and a high affinity site corresponding to a hypothetical receptor that is responsible for immunostimulation.

The new triterpene glycoside cucumarioside G2 [1] has been isolated from the sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Glycoside 1 is the first triterpene glycoside with the 23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanostane type of aglycone. Its structure has been established by chemical transformations as well as 13C- and 1H-nmr, eims, and liquid sims studies.

New triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides H₂ (1), H₃ (2) and H₄ (3), have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated using extensive NMR spectroscopy (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, DEPT, ¹H-¹H COSY, 1D TOCSY, H2BC, HMBC, heteronuclear single-quantum coherence, and NOESY) and ESI-MS. Glycosides 1-3 are monosulphated branched pentaosides having rare 3-O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide. Glycosides 1 and 3 contain holostane aglycones, whereas 2 has a 23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanostane aglycone with an 18(16)-lactone, which is also uncommon for the sea cucumbers. Glycoside 3 contains a very rare ethoxyl radical at C-25 of the aglycone side chain, and it is most probably an artefact that was formed during long storage of the ethanolic extract. Cytotoxic activities of 1-3 against mouse spleen lymphocytes, haemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and Ehrlich carcinoma cells have been studied. The presence of 25-hydroxy group in aglycone moiety significantly decreased the activities.

Four new triterpene glycosides cucumariosides H5 (1), H6 (2), H7 (3) and H8 (4) along with the known cucumarioside H (5) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. The structures of glycosides 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of spectral data (2D NMR and MS). Glycosides 1-4 belong to the group o f cucumariosides H having branched rare pentasaccharidecarbohydrate moieties with one sulfate group and 3-O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide unit. Glycosides 1-3 and 5 differ from each other in structures of side chains of the aglycones, while cucumarioside H8 (4) has a novel aglycone with unprecedented 16(22)-epoxy-group, never found in the sea cucumbers glycosides. Glycosides 1-3, and 5 were cytotoxic against mouse lymphocytes and hemolytic against mouse erythrocytes. Glycoside 2 was less active in comparison with others.

Two new minor triterpene glycosides, liouvillosides A(4) (1) and A(5) (2) have been isolated from the sea cucumber Staurocucumis liouvillei living in Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic waters. The structures of the new glycosides were elucidated using extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy ((1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, (1)H-(1)H COSY, 1D-TOCSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY), ESI-MS and MALDI TOF MS. The glycosides 1 and 2 are disulphated tetraosides having very rare 3-O-methylquinovose as terminal monosaccharide.

Six monosulfated triterpene glycosides, frondoside A1 (1), okhotoside B1 (2), okhotoside A1-1 (3), frondoside A (4), okhotoside A2-1 (5) and cucumarioside A2-5 (6), isolated from Cucumaria okhotensis Levin et Stepanov, stimulate spreading and lysosomal activity of mouse macrophages and ROS-formation in the macrophages. The highest macrophage spreading and stimulation of their lysosomal activity was induced by glycosides 1, 4 and 6. All glycosides similarly stimulate ROS formation in macrophages, but glycoside 2 caused minimal stimulation.

Three new triterpene glycosides have been isolated from an alcoholic extract of the Pacific Ocean commercial holothurian Cucumaria japonica: cucumariosides AT1 (I), AT2 (II), and AT3 (III). The structures of these glycosides have been established by chemical and physical methods.

Four new compounds have been isolated from the fraction of weakly polar triterpene glycosides of the holothurianCucumaria japonica: cucumariosides A1-2 (I), A0-1 (II), A0-2 (III), and A0-3 (IV). The structures of these substances have been established by chemical and physical methods.

A minor glycoside — cucumarioside G4 (I) — has been isolated from the total triterpeneglycosides of the holothurianEupentacta fraudatrix, and its structure has been determined by physical and chemical methods as 16β-acetoxyholosta-7,23E-diene-3β, 25-diol 3-O-(3-O-methyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-quinovopyransoyl-(1→2)-(4-O-(sodium sulfato)-β-D-xylopyranoside)].

Four triterpene glycosides from sea cucumbers belonging to the genus Cucumaria, okhotoside A(1)-1 (1), cucumarioside A(0)-1 (2), frondoside A (3) and cucumarioside A(2)-2 (4) inhibit the activity of nonspecific esterase of mouse spleen lymphocytes. The dependence of the inhibitory activity of the glycosides on their structure is similar to that for hemolytic activity. The absence of inhibitory activity for the preparation Cumaside, which is a complex of cucumarioside A(2)-2 and related compounds with cholesterol, shows a cholesterol-dependent character of the inhibitory action of the glycosides. The effective inhibitory concentrations of frondoside A and cucumarioside A(2)-2 are significantly higher than the immunomodulatory doses of these glycosides.

Three new triterpene glycosides, achlioniceosides A(1) (1), A(2) (2), and A(3) (3), have been isolated from the Antarctic sea cucumber Achlionice violaecuspidata. The glycoside structures were elucidated using extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis including one-dimensional (1)H and (13)C spectra, (1)H-(1)H-COSY, HMBC, HMQC, and NOESY and mass spectrometry. Gycosides 1-3 are disulfated pentaosides that are branched at the first xylose residue. The sulfates are attached to C-6 of the glucose residues. Glycosides 1-3 are the first triterpene glycosides isolated from a sea cucumber belonging to the order Elasipodida.

Five new triterpene glycosides, liouvillosides A1 (1), A2 (2), A3 (3), B1 (4), and B2 (5), have been isolated from the Antarctic sea cucumber Staurocucumis liouviellei along with the known liouvilloside A(6), isolated earlier from the same species, and hemoiedemosides A (7) and B (8), isolated earlier from the Patagonian sea cucumber Hemioedema spectabilis. The isolation was carried out using a new chromatographic procedure including application of ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography followed by chiral chromatography on a cyclodextrin ChiraDex column. The structures of the new glycosides were elucidated using extensive NMR spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR spectrometry, DEPT, 1H-(1)H COSY, HMBC, HMQC, and NOESY), ESI-FTMS, and CID MS/MS, and chemical transformations. Glycosides 1-3 are disulfated tetraosides and glycosides 4 and 5 are trisulfated tetraosides. Glycosides 2 and 3 contain 3-O-methylquinovose, found for the first time as a natural monosaccharide in sea cucumber glycosides. On the basis of analyses of glycoside structures a taxonomic revision is proposed.

Two novel triterpene holostane glycosides, synaptosides A ( 1) and A 1 ( 2), have been isolated from the Vietnamese sea cucumber Synapta maculata (Synaptida, Apodida). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods (NMR and MS) and chemical transformations. Glycosides 1 and 2 have rare branched pentasaccharide carbohydrate chains featuring a 3- O-methylglucuronic acid residue not previously reported in glycosides from sea cucumbers and a 6- O-sulfated glucose. Glycoside 2 has an oxo group at C-7 and a 8(9)-double bond. All these structural features are unknown in glycosides from sea cucumbers. Glycoside 1 has moderate cytotoxic activity (IC 50 8.6 microg/mL) and glycoside 2 is inactive against HeLa tumor cells.

Three new triterpene oligoglycosides, okhotosides B 1 ( 1), B 2 ( 2), and B 3 ( 3), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Cucumaria okhotensis along with the known compounds frondoside A ( 4), frondoside A 1, cucumarioside A 2-5, and koreoside A. The structures of 1- 3 were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data (2D NMR and MS). Compounds 1- 3 were moderately toxic against HeLa tumor cells. Frondoside A ( 4) showed more potent cytotoxicity against THP-1 and HeLa tumor cell lines (with IC 50 values of 4.5 and 2.1 microg/mL, respectively) and decreased both the AP-1-dependent trascriptional activities induced by UVB, EGF, or TPA in JB6-LucAP-1 cells and the EGF-induced NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity in JB6-LucNF-kB cells at doses of about 1 microg/mL. At the same doses, it increased the p53-dependent transcriptional activity in nonactivated JB6-Lucp53 cells and inhibited the colony formation of JB6 P (+) Cl 41 cells activated with EGF (INCC 50 = 0.8 microg/mL).

Seven highly polar trisulfated triterpene glycosides belonging to the frondoside A7 group have been isolated from the North Atlantic sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa. The structures of five new glyc...

The absolute R-configuration of the C-22 chiral center in cladoloside C (1) and therefore in all related glycosides isolated from the sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii has been assigned by Mosher‘s method. Some chemical transformations of the native glycoside 1 were carried out to apply this method. This resulted in the isolation and elucidation of chemical structures of progenin 2 and artefact aglycones 3 and 4, obtained from 1 and assignment of the absolute R-configuration of C-22 in the progenin 2. The coincidence of C-22 configurations in the studied compounds with those of the earlier known lanostane-type aglycone of frondoside C and holostane-type aglycone of cladoloside C (1) confirms the generic biosynthetic pathways to different types of sea cucumber glycoside aglycones. It suggests the same R-configuration of C-22 chiral centers in all the sea cucumber glycosides having C-22 functionalities.

Estrogenic potency of six triterpene glycosides, Holothurin A, Holotoxin A1, Frondoside A, Cucumarioside A2-2 and Cauloside C, that are natural products and semi-synthesized Ginsenoside-Rh2, were examined with yeast two-hybrid system, including expressed genes of human estrogen receptor, hERalpha, the co-activator TIF2 and lacZ as a reporter gene. Only Ginsenoside-Rh2 exhibited significant moderate estrogenic activity in the concentration range of 10(-7) to 10(-6)M. Its effect was approximately 30% of the activity of 17beta-estradiol applied at half-effective concentration. This indicates Ginsenosides-Rh2 is a weak phytoestrogen. The sea cucumber triterpene glycosides, Holothurin A, Holotoxin A1, Cucumarioside A2-2 and Frondoside A, and plant glycoside Cauloside C had no appreciable estrogenic activity. Data obtained by yeast two-hybrid assay reflect structure-activity relationship between tested compounds and 17beta-estradiol. Only Ginsenoside-Rh2 has some similarity in chemical structure with 17beta-estradiol that might explain affinity of this glycoside to the hERalpha receptor.

The new triterpene saponin eximisoside A (1) has been isolated from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Psolus eximius and its structure elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR (13C, 1H, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and NOESY spectra), and FABMS studies. The structural features of eximisoside A (1) are the rare presence of a 23 double bond in the aglycon and the absence of quinovose, typically found in the oligosaccharide chain of holothurian glycosides.

The new triterpene glycoside koreoside A (1) has been isolated from the sea cucumber Cucumaria koraiensis. Koreoside A (1) is the first glycoside reported from holothurians that presents a delta(7) nonholostane aglycon without a lactone group and with a shortened side chain. Its structure has been elucidated by 13C and 1H NMR as well as FABMS studies.

Three new monosulfated triterpene glycosides, mollisosides A (2), B(1) (3), and B(2) (4), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis. Their structures were determined by NMR and mass spectra. The presence of sulfated glycosides in sea cucumbers belonging to the family Stichopodidae is uncommon.

Triterpene glycosides of three species of the Mediterranean sea cucumbers Holothuria polii, Holothuria tubulosa, and Holothuria sp. were studied. Three new monosulfated biosides, holothurins B(2) (1), B(3) (2), and B(4) (3), along with the previously known holothurins A (4) and B (5) were isolated from the sea cucumber H. polii. Triterpene glycosides belonging to holothurin A and B groups were found in H. tubulosa, while only one individual glycoside, holothurin A (4), was isolated from Holothuria sp. Structures of new substances were elucidated on the basis of spectral data (2D NMR and MS). The significance of holothurins as chemotaxonomic markers of the animals belonging to the genus Holothuria and taxonomic status of some representatives of the holothurians studied are discussed.

New triterpene disulfated tetraoside, pseudostichoposide B (1) has been isolated from the sea cucumber Pseudostichopus trachus. The structure of this glycoside has been deduced by the extensive analysis of NMR and mass-spectra and chemical evidence. Except for a common sulfate group at C-4 of the first xylose residue, pseudostichoposide B contains an additional sulfate group at C-3 of quinovose residue in the carbohydrate chain, not earlier found in sea cucumber glycosides.

Biological effects of the triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides A(2)-2 and A(7)-1 from the edible sea cucumber Cucumaria japonica and their aglycones were investigated using embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus and the BALB/C line mouse peritoneal macrophages. Cucumariosides were highly cytotoxic in a sea urchin embryo development test with EC(50) values of 0.3 and 1.98 microg/mL, respectively. The aglycone was completely lacking in cytotoxicity. In subtoxic concentrations (0.001-0.1 microg/mL), cucumarioside A(2)-2 showed more then 2-fold stimulation of lysosomal activity and induced a rapid short-term increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) content in mouse macrophages. The maximal stimulatory effect was detected after 1-2 h of cultivation of cells with this glycoside. Cucumarioside A(7)-1 demonstrated more weak effects and even slightly inhibited lysosomal activity, while the aglycone was completely ineffective. At the toxic concentration (1 microg/mL), cucumarioside A(2)-2 induced the sharp irreversable increase of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. We suggested that cucumariosides, especially A(2)-2, may act as Ca(2+) agonists due to their membranolytic properties.

Five non-sulfated triterpene glycosides, synallactosides A(1) (1), A(2) (2), B(1) (3), B(2) (4), and C (5), have been isolated from the sea cucumber Synallactes nozawai. Their structures have been deduced by extensive analysis of NMR and mass spectra. The glycosides 2-5 are new glycosides. Glycosides 2-4 have carbohydrate chains without precedent in the glycosides from sea cucumbers. This is the first time glycosides are found in members of the family Synallactidae.

Two triterpene glycosides have been isolated from an alcoholic extract of the holothurianCucumaria frondosa collected in the Kola littoral, Barents Sea: the main component of the glycoside fraction — frondoside A (I) — and a minor component — frondoside A1 (II).

Six new triterpene glycosides, cladolosides A1–A6(1–6), have been isolated from the Vietnamese sea cucumber Cladolabes schmeltzii (Cladolabinae, Sclerodactylidae, Dendrochirotida). Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. All the glycosides have nonsulfated tetrasaccharide linear carbohydrate moieties. Glycoside 6 has a glucose residue as the third monosaccharide unit, while the rest of the compounds comprise a xylose in this postion of the carbohydrate chain. Glycosides 1–6 differ from each other in the structures of their holostane aglycones. Cytotoxic activities of glycosides 1–6 were studied against mouse spleenocytes, along with hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes. All the compounds, except cladoloside A5(5) posessing a hydroxy-group in the aglycone side chain, demonstrated rather strong cytotoxic and hemolytic effects. The most active glycosides were cladolosides A1(1) and A2(2) having two O-acetic groups and the xylose residue in the third position of the sugar chain.

Two novel triterpene holostane nonsulfated pentaosides, kolgaosides A (1) and B (2), and one known, holothurinoside B (3), were isolated from the Arctic sea cucumber Kolga hyalina, the second representative of the family Elpidiidae, order Elasipodida, from which triterpene glycosides have been obtained. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using 1H and 13C NMR and 2D NMR procedures (HSQC, HMBC, COSY, ROESY, TOCSY) and HRESI mass-spectrometry. Kolgaosides A (1) and B (2) demonstrate low cytotoxic activity against the cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma and moderate hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes, despite the presence of hydroxy groups in the side chains of the aglycones. The glycosides of K. hyalina are similar to those of the Antarctic sea cucumber Rhipidothuria racowitzai Hèrouard, 1901 (= Achlionice violaescupidata) (Elasipodida: Elpidiidae); this may have chemotaxonomic significance.

Stimulation of lysosomal activity and ROS formation in mouse peritoneal macrophages by five triterpene glycosides, typicosides A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), C1 (4) and C2 (5) has been studied and compared with their cytotoxic activities. Glycosides 1–3 possess moderate activities, but the most cytotoxic glycoside 5 is not active. Typicoside C1 (4), with low toxicity, was proved to be the most active concerning stimulation of ROS formation. This is the first example of a triterpene glycoside from sea cucumbers with low cytotoxicity, but which demonstrates a strong immunostimulatory effect on mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro.

Four new triterpene glycosides, violaceusosides C (1), D (2), E (3) and G (4) have been isolated from the sea cucumber Pseudocolochirus violaceus (Cucumariidae, Dendrochirotida). Eight known glycosides, DS-holothurin A and holothurinoside A, isolated earlier from Holothuria forskalii (order Aspidochirotida); and violaceuside A, lefevreoside C, philinopside E, intercedenside B, violaceuside II and liovilloside A isolated earlier from representatives of the family Cucumariidae, order Dendrochirotida have also been found in P. violaceus. The chemical structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Violaceusosides C (1), D (2), E (3) and G (4) have holostane-type aglycones and tetrasaccharide linear carbohydrate chains differing in the sugar composition and the number and position of sulfate groups. Violaceusosides E (3) and G (4) are characterized by the presence of a sulfate group at C-3 of the quinovose residue that is very rare among sea cucumber glycosides. Cytotoxic activities of the glycosides 1–4 against cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma and hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. Violaceusosides C (1) and D (2) demonstrated moderate cytotoxic and hemolytic effects, while violaceusosides E (3) and G (4) have more powerful activities.

The presence of triterpene glycosides in such high organized animals as the sea cucumbers is very interesting. About 100 chemical structures of these substances have been elucidated and more than half of them have been established in our laboratory [1]. Here we discuss some peculiarities of the structures, taxonomical distribution, biological activities, as well as biological roles and possible evolutionary pathways of these glycosides.

In non-cytotoxic concentrations, frondoside A (1) from the sea cucumber Cucumaria okhotensis and cucumarioside A2-2 (2) from C. japonica, as well as their complexes with cholesterol block the activity of membrane transport P-glycoprotein in cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma. They prevent in this way an efflux of fluorescent probe Calcein from the cells. Since the blocking of P-glycoprotein activity results in decrease of multidrug resistance, these glycosides and their complexes with cholesterol may be considered as potential inhibitors of multidrug resistance of tumor cells.

Five new minor triterpene glycosides, typicosides A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), C1 (4) and C2 (5), along with two known glycosides, intercedenside A and holothurin B3, have been isolated from the sea cucumber Actinocucumis typica. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1–5 are linear mono- and disulfated tetraosides differing from each other in both aglycone structures and monosaccharide composition of the carbohydrate chains. Typicosides A1 (1) and A2 (2) have identical monosulfated carbohydrate moieties with a xylose residue as the third monosaccharide unit and differ from each other in aglycon structures. Typicoside B1 (3) has glucose as the third monosaccharide residue. Typicosides C1 (4) and C2 (5) contain the same disulfated carbohydrate chains and differ from each other in structures of aglycone side chains. Antifungal activity of glycosides 1–5 against three species of fungi along with cytotoxic activity against mouse spleen lymphocytes and mouse Ehrlich carcinoma cells (ascite form), as well as hemolytic activities against mouse erythrocytes have been studied. All new glycosides, except for typicoside C1 (4), containing a hydroxy-group in the aglycone side chain, demonstrate rather strong hemolytic and cytotoxic activities.

Hemolysis and K+ loss from mouse erythrocytes, induced by triterpene glycosides and their derivatives from this order of sea cucumbers were studied. Sulfate groups, attached to position 4 of the first xylose residue and to position 6 of the third glucose residue of the branched pentaosides, having 3-O-methyl-groups in terminal monosaccharide moieties increase K+ loss. A sulfate group at C-4 of the first xylose residue increases the hemolytic activity while a sulfate at C-6 of the third monosaccharide unit decreases it. A sulfate group at C-6 of terminal 3-O-methylglucose drastically decreases the hemolytic activity and rate of K+ loss. The presence of a sulfate group at the first xylose residue in glycosides having no 3-O-methyl group at the terminal monosaccharide decreases hemolytic activity and rate of K+ loss. The presence of the 16-ketone group in aglycones having the 7(8)-double bond significantly decreases activity. These results correlate with the previously proposed trends in evolution of sea cucumber glycosides from substances having sulfate groups at C-6 of glucose and 3-O-methylglucose units to substances sulfated at C-4 of the first xylose or having no sulfate groups, and from substances with aglycone 16-ketone to substances having no oxygen functions in this position.

Triterpene glycosides from sea cucumbers are taxonomically specific,complicated and variable in their chemical structures and biological activities1. As well known cytotoxic, antifungal, and hemolytic effects of glycosides correlate with each other and due to the glycoside membranotropic action2,3. Hemolytic activity was used as a measure of membranolytic action of these glycosides. Previously we studied the influence of a sulfate group at C-4 of the first xylose residue and length of the carbohydrate chain on the hemolytic activity of triterpene glycosides from Cucumariidae family holothurians4. However, questions concerning the influence on the membranolytic activity of sulfate groups attached to the C-6 position of monosaccharide residues in the carbohydrate chains, 3-Omethyl groups in terminal monosaccharide residues, and 16 -oxo groups in aglycones with the 7(8)-double bond remained unresolved. Herein we report studies on hemolytic activity of glycosides and their derivatives from the sea cucumber order Dendrochirotida which attempt to resolve the above-mentioned questions.

Seven new minor triterpene glycosides, cucumariosides A1(1), A3(2), A4(3), A5(4), A6(5), A12(6) and A15(7) have been isolated from the Far Eastern sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix. Structures of the glycosides were elucidated by 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS. Glycosides 1–7 belong to the group of cucumariosides A, having linear tetrasaccharide carbohydrate moieties without any sulfate group and possessing 3- O-methyl-D-xylose as a terminal monosaccharide unit. The latter peculiarity is rare in sea cucumber glycosides, but typical for the glycosides from E. fraudatrix. Glycosides 1–7 differ from each other by side chain structures in the aglycone moieties; three of them have unique structural features. The first is the presence of a 25-butoxy-group in the side chain of cucumarioside A3(2), the second is a 23 E,25-diene system in cucumarioside A6(5) and the third is a 25-keto-27-nor-holostane aglycone in cucumarioside A12(6); these were never previously found in sea cucumber glycosides. Cytotoxic activity of glycosides 1–7 against mouse spleen lymphocytes and the cells of the ascite form of mouse Ehrlich carcinoma, along with hemolytic activity against mouse erythrocytes and antifungal activity were studied. Glycosides 1 and 5 were the most active in all the tests.

The radioprotective activity has been studied of a new immunomodulatory lead material, Cumaside, which is a complex of monosulfated triterpene glycosides from the edible sea cucumber Cucumaria japonica and cholesterol. Female CD-1 strain mice administered with prophylactic doses of Cumaside were irradiated using a Gamma-therapeutic device with a 60Co source (exposure dose 6.5 Gy, dose rate 1.14 Gy /min) and the average life span of the mice was determined. The animals administrated with Cumaside and irradiated were killed by pervisceral dislocation on days 4 and 9. Peripheral blood cell composition indexes, blood forming function and cell number in blood-forming organs and the number of pluripotent blood-forming stem cells were determined using standard procedures and the results compared with those of non-treated irradiated mice. The survivability percentage and average life span of the irradiated mice that were not treated with Cumaside were decreased in comparison with the Cumaside-treated groups. Especially, the leukocyte and neutrophil numbers in the blood (bone marrow from hip), and the weight and cell number of lymphoid organs were higher in the Cumaside-treated groups compared with the non-treated irradiated mice. It was concluded that at low prophylactic doses Cumaside possesses moderate radioprotective properties.

Six monosulfated triterpene glycosides, frondoside A1 (1), okhotoside B1 (2), okhotoside A1-1 (3), frondoside A (4), okhotoside A2-1 (5) and cucumarioside A2-5 (6), isolated from Cucumaria okhotensis Levin et Stepanov, stimulate spreading and lysosomal activity of mouse macrophages and ROS-formation in the macrophages. The highest macrophage spreading and stimulation of their lysosomal activity was induced by glycosides 1, 4 and 6. All glycosides similarly stimulate ROS formation in macrophages, but glycoside 2 caused minimal stimulation.