Novel Caryophyllane-Related Sesquiterpenoids With Anti-Inflammatory Activity From Rumphella Antipathes (Linnaeus, 1758)

Two previously undescribed caryophyllane-related sesquiterpenoids, antipacids A (1) and B (2), with a novel bicyclo[5.2.0] core skeleton, and known compound clovane-2 beta,9 alpha-diol (3), along with rumphellolide L (4), an esterified product of 1 and 3, were isolated from the organic extract of octocoral Rumphella antipathes. Their structures, including the absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical experiments. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity analysis indicated that antipacid B (2) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils, with IC50 values of 11.22 and 23.53 mu M, respectively, while rumphellolide L (4) suppressed the release of elastase with an IC50 value of 7.63 mu M.