Antimicrobial activity of the diterpenes flexibilide and sinulariolide derived from Sinularia flexibilis Quoy and Gaimard 1833 (Coelenterata: Alcyonacea, Octocorallia)

Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1998 Jul;120(1):121-6. doi: 10.1016/s0742-8413(98)00032-2.

Abstract

The soft coral Sinularia flexibilis is rarely overgrown by bacteria and algae. Various studies have shown that it contains diterpenes that protect it from competitors and predators. However, of the many diterpenoids isolated from S. flexibilis, only sinulariolide has been studied for antibiotic properties. Samples of soft corals were collected from Orpheus Island and freeze-dried for chemical extraction and isolation of pure diterpenes. Antimicrobial activity of the diterpenes was determined using the disc assay method with antibiotics as controls and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the diterpenes were determined using the Tube Dilution Technique. Two out of the five diterpenes tested (sinulariolide and flexibilide), showed marked antimicrobial activity and inhibited growth of Gram-positive bacteria. Flexibilide was effective even at concentrations as low as 5 ppm, whereas sinulariolide was effective at concentrations of 10 ppm. These compounds show potential as antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cnidaria / chemistry*
  • Diterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Lactones / isolation & purification
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diterpenes
  • Lactones
  • flexibilide
  • sinulariolide