Capnosane-type cembranoids from the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum with antibacterial effects

Nineteen new cembranoids with unusual capnosane skeleton named trocheliophols A–S (1–19) together with four known analogues were isolated from the Chinese soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) analysis, in addition to the modified Mosher's method, CD and X-ray diffraction for the configuration assignments. The inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds against inflammation-related NF-κB and bacterial pathogens were evaluated. Compounds 8, 9 and 19 exhibited potent inhibitory effects against phytopathogens and human disease-related Gram positive and negative bacteria, while the preliminary structure–activity relationship is discussed.

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