New sterols from the South China Sea sponges Halichondria sp.

A detailed chemical investigation of two specimen of South China Sea sponges Halichondria sp. (No. 19-XD-47 and No. 17-XD-87) have resulted in the isolation of three new sterols, namely, halichsterols A (1), B (2) and C (3), together with seven related known ones (4–10). Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with the spectral data reported in the literature. In bioassay, compound 2 displayed significantly anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.