Klymollins A-H, bioactive eunicellin-based diterpenoids from the formosan soft coral Klyxum molle

Eight new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, klymollins A-H (1-8), were isolated during the chemical investigation of the soft coral Klyxum molle from Taiwan waters. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of 4 was determined by Mosher's method. Bioassays of the new metabolites showed that compounds 3-8 displayed significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the expression of the iNOS protein, and compounds 3, 4, and 6-8 also could effectively reduce the accumulation of COX-2 protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.