Cariniferosides A–F and other steroidal biglycosides from the starfish Asteropsis carinifera

Six new steroidal biglycosides, cariniferosides A–F (1–6), were isolated along with six previously known glycosides, 7–12, from the alcoholic extract of the starfish Asteropsis carinifera. The structures of 1–6 were determined by extensive NMR and ESIMS techniques. The isolated compounds did not show any apparent cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines HCT-116, RPMI-7951, and T-47D, but sulfated compounds 6, 11, and 12 demonstrated a significant inhibition of RPMI-7951 and T-47D cell colony formation in a soft agar clonogenic assay.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► New and known steroid biglycosides (1–12) were isolated from Asteropsis carinifera. ► Some of them were studied on cytotoxic and cell colony inhibitory actions. ► Glycosides 6, 11, and 12 showed a significant inhibition of tumor cell colony formation.