Search

The detailed chemical investigations of the South China Sea soft corals Sinularia tumulosa and Sinularia depressa, yielded two new compounds, namely tumulosterol A (1) and 11'-hydroxy-α-tocopherylquinone (3), along with four related known ones (2, 5–7). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the spectral data previously reported in the literature. In bioassays, compound 1 displayed significant cytotoxic effects against H1975 and MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 values of 6.0 and 6.3 µM, respectively. In addition, compound 3 exhibited interesting inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 cells with IC50 value of 9.5 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the soft coral Sinularia acuta Manuputty and van Ofwegen, 2007 was sequenced and annotated using Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS). The mitogenome of S. acuta was 18,730 bp in length and consisted of 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and only one transfer RNA gene (tRNA-Met). The base composition was 30.18% A, 16.46% C, 19.35% G, and 34.00% T, with a total A + T content of 64.19%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among Sinularia acuta, Sinularia penghuensis, and Sinularia maxima.

Nanolobatone A, featuring an unprecedented tricyclo[10.3.0.01,2]pentadecane carbon skeleton, along with four new polyoxygenated and four unusual endoperoxide‐bridged casbane‐type diterpenoids were isolated from the Hainan soft coral Sinularia nanolobata. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and time‐dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of new isolates was proposed. Bioassays revealed that nanolobatone A showed weak antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the soft coral Sinularia acuta Manuputty and van Ofwegen, 2007 was sequenced and annotated using Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS). The mitogenome of S. acuta was 18,730 bp in length and consisted of 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and only one transfer RNA gene (tRNA-Met). The base composition was 30.18% A, 16.46% C, 19.35% G, and 34.00% T, with a total A + T content of 64.19%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among Sinularia acuta, Sinularia penghuensis, and Sinularia maxima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft corals are zooxanthellate sessile animals supporting various organisms in coral reefs. However, their populations are threatened by the impacts of ocean warming. Under thermal stress conditions, soft corals may experience mild to severe bleaching which may lead to death. Understanding soft coral bleaching responses highlights the importance in predicting how populations and diversity may be affected by changing climate scenarios. In this study, we examined the bleaching responses of the three dominant soft coral genera (Lobophytum, n = 1318; Sarcophyton, n = 116; Sinularia, n = 639 colonies) in the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex (BARC), Pangasinan, north-western Philippines during the 2020 thermal stress event in terms of genus and colony size susceptibility, and zooxanthellae density. Degree heating week (DHW) data from 1986–2020 were obtained using remotely sensed data to determine thermal anomalies in the study sites. The maximum DHW (6.3) in 2020 occurred between July–August while bleaching surveys were done during October of the same year. The percentage of bleached portions in each colony was used to determine bleaching category: no bleaching (0%), moderately bleached (1–50%) and heavily bleached (>50%). Quantification of bleaching prevalence and susceptibility of colony sizes were determined by colony count and mean diameter measurements taken from quadrat photographs in October 2020. Haphazard tissue collection (∼3 cm) in each colony of three soft coral genera per bleaching category was done to quantify zooxanthellae density. Results showed that Lobophytum colonies had the lowest bleaching prevalence (41%), followed by Sinularia (66%) and Sarcophyton (78%). All colony size classes of the three genera were susceptible to bleaching. However, smaller colonies of Lobophytum (<15 cm), Sarcophyton (<5 cm) and Sinularia (<5 cm) showed less susceptibility than large colonies. Zooxanthellae density was significantly reduced in moderately and heavily bleached colonies. The results of this study highlight that bleaching susceptibility is genus specific, with Sarcophyton and Sinularia being more susceptible to bleaching than Lobophytum. Smaller colonies seemed to be less susceptible to bleaching than large-sized soft corals suggesting a differential thermal stress response. Spatial variations in bleaching prevalence were also found among reef sites with varying environmental conditions and thermal stress histories. This work provided initial observations on how bleaching affects soft corals. Further studies on soft coral community recovery are recommended to fully understand how these organisms perform after thermal stress events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending our knowledge about the bleaching and recovery processes in octocorals can offer valuable insights to predict future reef responses to continuing climate change. The octocoral Sinularia heterospiculata was exposed to a heat stress (32°C) for 2 days and then recovered within 205 days. The coral's response was assessed by measuring total lipids, chlorophylls , carotenoids, and relative endosymbiont density. During the bleaching period, the coral lost half of its dinoflagellate symbionts; during the recovery period, it could completely restore their population. Photosynthetic activity of dinoflagellate symbionts was reduced after 1 week of recovery. However, the level of lipids was stable. The contents of chlorophyll b after the 2-day bleaching period increased relative to their proportion in the endosymbionts, which may be associated with the chlorophyll repackaging and absorption of more light. The content of carotenoids increases, which is probably associated with the complementary function of carotenoids as antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaktif antioksidan merupakan substansi yang penting bagi kesehatan manusia. Karang lunak telah diketahui memproduksi bioaktif dengan keragaman struktur dan aktivitas biologi, termasuk memproduksi bioaktif antioksidan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan bioprospeksi karang lunak dari perairan Teluk Palu sebagai penghasil antioksidan. Penelitian meliputi pengambilan sampel, identifikasi, ekstraksi (maserasi) karang lunak, skrining konstituen kimia, pengujian aktivitas antioksidan (penangkapan radikal DPPH), dan penentuan IC50. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan di Teluk Palu, pesisir desa Kabonga Besar, Kabupaten Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah. Berdasarkan bentuk koloni monomorfik, tujuh sampel karang lunak yang digunakan pada penelitian ini termasuk dalam genus Sinularia, Dampia dan Sarcophyton. Analisis konstituen kimia mengindikasikan adanya senyawa saponin, fenolik, triterpenoid, dan alkaloid. Hasil pengujian aktivitas antioksidan dengan metode DPPH, menunjukkan ekstrak kasar karang lunak menunjukkan persentase inhibisi radikal DPPH yang lemah. Hasil pengujian aktivitas antioksidan (metode DPPH) dari fraksi hasil partisi tujuh ekstrak kasar karang lunak berpotensi sebagai antioksidan dengan kategori kuat sampai lemah. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa ekstrak karang lunak asal Teluk Palu berpotensi sebagai sumber antioksidan. Karang lunak di pesisir Desa Kabonga Besar didominasi oleh genus Sinularia.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sinularia penghuensis was sequenced and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The present mitochondrial genome was 18730 bp in length, containing 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (cox1-cox3.nad1-nad6, nad4L, atp6, atp8, cytb, and MutS), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) (12S and 16S), and one transfer RNA gene (Met-tRNA). The phylogenetic analysis of family Alcyoniidae revealed that S. penghuensis and Sinularia maxima cluster together. Five species in Sinularia reveals high identity in mitogenome sequences that the lowest variable sites (SNPs) were found between S. penghuensis and S. maxima.

Soft corals are well-known as excellent sources of marine-derived natural products. Among them, members of the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum are especially attractive targets for marine natural product research. In this review, we reported the marine-derived natural products called cembranoids isolated from soft corals, including the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum. Here, we reviewed 72 reports published between 2016 and 2020, comprising 360 compounds, of which 260 are new compounds and 100 are previously known compounds with newly recognized activities. The novelty of the organic molecules and their relevant biological activities, delivered by the year of publication, are presented. Among the genera presented in this report, Sarcophyton spp. produce the most cembranoid diterpenes; thus, they are considered as the most important soft corals for marine natural product research. Cembranoids display diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. As cembranoids have been credited with a broad range of biological activities, they present a huge potential for the development of various drugs with potential health and ecological benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the potential antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Sinulariasp. and Sarcophyton sp. from the Palu Bay, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Soft corals were identified as Sinulariasp. (SC1), Sinularia sp. (SC2), andSarcophytonsp. (SC3). Antibacterial activity was examined using agar diffusion well method. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH radical scavenging method. The samples were macerated in MeOH: DCM. The crude extracts were partitioned with DCM, EtOAc, and BuOH. The crude extract of Sinulariasp. (SC2) showed a very strong antibacterial activity as it was able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureusand Escherichia coliup to 10 mg/mL. Sinularia sp. (SC1) crude extract showed strong activity againstS. aureus, whereas it showed moderate against E. coli.Sarcophyton sp. (SC3) crude extract showed moderate activity against S. aureus, whereas it showed weak against E. coli. The partition fractions of the three soft coral extracts had the potential to be a potent antioxidant agent.

Aim: Spinal cord traumas have become a serious health problem with the increase in the ageing population in society. The present study aimed to show the anti-inflammatory activity of methylprednisolone and sinularia administered following spinal cord trauma. Materials and Methods: Sea corals are widely found on earth. Sinularia is one of the 17 known active substances of sinularia flexibilis, and several studies have been conducted on its anti-inflammatory, anti-oedema and cytotoxic effects. Despite the recent scientific studies, discussions continue as there are no effective treatment methods in use apart from methylprednisolone; however, the test animals received methylprednisolone treatment to compareits effects with those of sinularia, a secondary active ingredient of s. flexibilis. Results: Paired comparisons for serum IL-1β and tissue TNF-α were made with Dunn's test. When serum IL-1β and tissue TNF-α levels were evaluated, a significant difference was detected in the group taking sinularia treatment compared to the trauma group Sinularia treatment was more efficient on different cytokines and compared to methylprednisolone treatment used routinely, it significantly affected both IL-1β level and TNF-α levels in serum Conclusion: Anti-edematous, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of sinularia have been shown in our study. Sinularia, which has no known harmful effect on the human body according to the literature, may be clinically used in the future; however, more detailed and supportive experimental studies should be conducted on the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical examination of the octocoral Sinularia humilis, collected in the waters of Taiwan, led to the isolation of S8 (1). Its structure was determined by a single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis and this is the first time that S8 has been reported from a marine invertebrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinularia is one of the conspicuous soft coral species widely distributed in the world’s oceans at a depth of about 12 m. Secondary metabolites from the genus Sinularia show great chemical diversity. More than 700 secondary metabolites have been reported to date, including terpenoids, norterpenoids, steroids/steroidal glycosides, and other types. They showed a broad range of potent biological activities. There were detailed reviews on the terpenoids from Sinularia in 2013, and now, it still plays a vital role in the innovation of lead compounds for drug development. The structures, names, and pharmacological activities of compounds isolated from the genus Sinularia from 2013 to March 2021 are summarized in this review.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sinularia penghuensis was sequenced and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The present mitochondrial genome was 18730 bp in length, containing 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (cox1-cox3.nad1-nad6, nad4L, atp6, atp8, cytb, and MutS), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) (12S and 16S), and one transfer RNA gene (Met-tRNA). The phylogenetic analysis of family Alcyoniidae revealed that S. penghuensis and Sinularia maxima cluster together. Five species in Sinularia reveals high identity in mitogenome sequences that the lowest variable sites (SNPs) were found between S. penghuensis and S. maxima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new steroids, ximaosteroid E ( 1 ) and ximaosteroid F ( 2 ), along with two known related compounds ( 3 and 4 ), were isolated from the Chinese soft coral Sinularia sp . Notably, 1 possesses an uncommon dihydrofuran group. Their structures were established from extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparisons of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. The absolute configuration of 2 was determined by applying the modified Mosher’s method. In bioassay, compounds 1 , 2 , and 4 showed significant cytotoxicity against the HL-60 tumor cell line with IC 50 values of 1.79, 4.03 and 0.69 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reviews the new isolated cembranoid derivatives from species of the genera Sarcophyton, Sinularia, and Lobophytum as well as their biological properties, during 2016⁻2018. The compilation permitted to conclude that much more new cembranoid diterpenes were found in the soft corals of the genus Sarcophyton than in those belonging to the genera Lobophytum or Sinularia. Beyond the chemical composition, the biological properties were also reviewed, namely anti-microbial against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumoral against several types of cancer cells. In spite of the biological activities detected in almost all samples, there is a remarkable diversity in the results which may be attributed to the chemical variability that needs to be deepened in order to develop new molecules with potential application in medicine.

Five new oxygenated sesquiterpenes, molestins A⁻D (1, 3⁻5) and epi-gibberodione (2), three new cyclopentenone derivatives, ent-sinulolides C, D, and F ((+)-9⁻(+)-11), one new butenolide derivative, ent-sinulolide H ((+)-13), and one new cembranolide, molestin E (14), together with 14 known related metabolites (6⁻8, (⁻)-9⁻(⁻)-11, (±)-12, (⁻)-13, 15⁻19) were isolated from the Paracel Islands soft coral Sinularia cf. molesta. The structures and absolute configurations were elucidated based on comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum chemical calculations, and comparison with the literature data. Compound 5 is the first example of a norsesquiterpene with a de-isopropyl guaiane skeleton isolated from the genus Sinularia. Molestin E (14) exhibited cytotoxicities against HeLa and HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 values of 5.26 and 8.37 μM, respectively. Compounds 4, 5, and 8 showed significant inhibitory activities against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) with IC50 values of 218, 344, and 1.24 μM, respectively.

Herein, we provide observation on the ecological relationships between the hydrozoan species Pteroclava krempfi and three alcyonacean genera: Lobophytum, Sarcophyton and Sinularia from protected and exposed reef habitats in the Maldives. The associations were found to be widespread in the investigated area with both an overall and taxon-specific symbiosis prevalence higher in the exposed reef sites. Pteroclava krempfi most frequently occurred with Lobophytum, followed by Sinularia and Sarcophyton. The prevalence of P. krempfi with soft corals was also positively correlated to percent host cover, which was higher in the outer reef sites, suggesting a host-reliant relationship for the hydrozoan. However, the nature of these relationships, as as well as the factors that drive their establishment, requires further investigation. The widespread degradation of coral reef ecosystems endangers the existence of many poorly understood, but intimate relationships that often go unrecognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sterol, (22R,23R,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-22,23-methylene-24-methyl-cholest-6,9(11)-dien-3β-ol (1), and two known sterols, (22R,23R,24R)-5α,8α-epidioxy-22,23-methylene-24-methylcholest-6-en-3β-ol (2) and 24-methylenecholestane-1α,3β,5α, 6β,11α-pentol (3), were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia gaweli. The structure of sterol 1 was established by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of known analogues. The cytotoxicity of sterols 1–3 towards various tumor cells is reported.

Six new casbane diterpenoids, named as sinularcasbanes A–F (1–6), along with six known analogues 7–12, were isolated from a South China Sea soft coral, Sinularia sp. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with data reported in the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cell lines and the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Two norcembranoidal diterpenes, 5-episinuleptolide acetate (1) and scabrolide D (2), were isolated from a Formosan octocoral identified as Sinularia sp. The structures of norcembranoids 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of known analogues and 1 was proven to be a new natural product. Norcembranoid 1 was found to exhibit cytotoxicity toward a panel of tumor cells.

The methanol extract of a Sinularia sp., collected from Bowden Reef, Queensland, Australia, yielded ten natural products. These included the new nitrogenous diterpene (4R*,5R*,9S*,10R*,11Z)-4-methoxy-9-((dimethylamino)-methyl)-12,15-epoxy-11(13)-en-decahydronaphthalen-16-ol (1), and the new lobane, (1R*,2R*,4S*,15E)-loba-8,10,13(14),15(16)-tetraen-17,18-diol-17-acetate (2). Also isolated were two known cembranes, sarcophytol-B and (1E,3E,7E)-11,12-epoxycembratrien-15-ol, and six known lobanes, loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-16,17,18-triol, 14,18-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-17-ol, lobatrientriol, lobatrienolide, 14,17-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-18-ol-18-acetate and (17R)-loba-8,10,13(15)-trien-17,18-diol. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated through interpretation of spectra obtained after extensive NMR and MS investigations and comparison with literature values. The tumour cell growth inhibition potential of 1 and 2 along with loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-16,17,18-triol, 14,17-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-18-ol-18-acetate, lobatrienolide, (1E,3E,7E)-11,12-epoxycembratrien-15-ol and sarcophytol-B were assessed against three human tumour cell lines (SF-268, MCF-7 and H460). The lobanes and cembranes tested demonstrated 50% growth inhibition in the range 6.8–18.5 µM, with no selectivity, whilst 1 was less active (GI50 70–175 µM).

Soft corals of the genus Sinularia are one of the most widespread soft corals. They are a rich source of bioactive substances with intriguing and unique structural features. The present paper reviews the latest progress in the chemistry and pharmacological activities of terpenoids from Sinularia soft corals and provides a perspective on future areas of research interest.

Soft corals are known to be prolific producers of a wide spectrum of biologically active cembranoids. One new cembranoid, sinularolide F (2), along with three known compounds, cembranolide (1), (E,E,E)-6,10,14-trimethyl-3-methylene-cis-3α,4,5,8,9,12,13,15α-octahydrocyclo tetradeca[β]furan-2(3H)-one (3), and denticulatolide (4), were isolated from the Bornean soft coral Sinularia sp. Compounds 2 and 4 showed potential anti-inflammatory activities against lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 with IC50 values less than 6.25 µg/mL and anticancer activity against HL60 cell lines. The compounds’ mechanisms of action were investigated via the Western blot evaluation of their protein markers. These activities could be attributed to the presence of tertiary methyl at C-8 and the compounds’ 3D configurations.

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the soft coral Sinularia acuta Manuputty and van Ofwegen, 2007 was sequenced and annotated using Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS). The mitogenome of S. acuta was 18,730 bp in length and consisted of 14 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and only one transfer RNA gene ( tRNA-Met ). The base composition was 30.18% A, 16.46% C, 19.35% G, and 34.00% T, with a total A + T content of 64.19%. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among Sinularia acuta , Sinularia penghuensis , and Sinularia maxima ., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids, endoperoxide ( 1) and hydroperoxides ( 2, 3) together with three known sesquiterpenoids ( 4- 6) were isolated from an Okinawan soft coral, Sinularia species. Structures of these isolates were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses (NMR, IR and MS) and molecular modeling. In addition, the isolates 1- 3 as new compounds were examined for biological activities, resulting that they have antibacterial activity and weak cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells as well as anti-inflammatory effect on LPS/IFN-γ-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]