Scalarane sesterterpenoids: semisynthesis and biological activity

J Nat Prod. 2009 Aug;72(8):1492-6. doi: 10.1021/np900326a.

Abstract

Aiming to improve the potency and selectivity of scalarane sesterterpenoids, a series of natural and semisynthetic analogues, derived from the cytotoxic naturally abundant sesterterpene heteronemin (1), were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. The new sesterterpenes 16-O-methylsesterstatin 4 (6c), 17, 24-dihydroheteronemin (7a), 16, 25-deacetoxy-17, 24-dihydroheteronemin (7b), and 16-deacetoxy-25-methoxy-17, 24-dihydroheteronemin (7c) were structurally defined via physical data analyses. Scalarane sesterterpenes possessing an unsaturated 1,4-dialdehyde moiety showed potent inhibitory activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations that are not significantly cytotoxic to mammalian cells. The structural features for the cytotoxicity of scalarane sesterterpenoids are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mycobacterium avium Complex / drug effects
  • Porifera / chemistry
  • Sesterterpenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Sesterterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesterterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Terpenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Terpenes / chemistry
  • Terpenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Sesterterpenes
  • Terpenes
  • heteronemin