Brominated aliphatic hydrocarbons and sterols from the sponge Xestospongia testudinaria with their bioactivities

Four brominated aliphatic hydrocarbons (1–4), including a novel brominated ene-tetrahydrofuran named as mutafuran H (1), and five sterols (5–9) were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Xestospongia testudinaria. The structure of 1 was determined on the basis of NMR (1H, 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC, 1H–1H COSY, and NOESY), MS, and optical rotation analysis. Known compounds were identified by comparison of their NMR data with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1–4, and 6–9 were evaluated for their toxicity against Artemia salina larvae, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity.

► A novel brominated ene-tetrahydrofuran, named mutafuran H (1), was isolated and determined from the sponge Xestospongia testudinaria. ► This study supported that aliphatic hydrocarbons and sterols were the main chemical constituents of X. testudinaria. ► Several special secondary metabolisms, such as brominated ene-tetrahydrofuran and hydroperoxyl steroids, might be the important chemical defence substances of the sponge X. testudinaria.