Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
07:59
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
10.5K
Terpenoids from the Octocoral Sinularia gaweli
Wun-Jie Lin1,2, Tung-Ying Wu3, Tzu-Rong Su4,5
1Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung 944, Taiwan. abcdewq213@hotmail.com.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 22, 2015
Summary
Researchers isolated four terpenoids from the octocoral Sinularia gaweli, including three novel compounds. One new compound, sinulacembranolide A, demonstrated potential in inhibiting pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein.
Area of Science:
- Marine Natural Products Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Octocorals, such as Sinularia gaweli, are prolific sources of structurally diverse terpenoids.
- Terpenoids exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize terpenoids from the octocoral Sinularia gaweli.
- To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the isolated compounds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of compounds using chromatographic techniques.
- Structure elucidation of new terpenoids via spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS).
- Assessment of inhibitory activity against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells.
Main Results:
- Four terpenoids were isolated: verticillatol (1), 5α-acetoxy-4(14)-eudesmene-1β-ol (2), (-)-leptodiol acetate (3), and sinulacembranolide A (4).
- Compounds 2, 3, and 4 are new chemical entities.
- Sinulacembranolide A (4) significantly inhibited the accumulation of pro-inflammatory iNOS protein in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified novel terpenoids from Sinularia gaweli.
- Sinulacembranolide A exhibits potential as an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting iNOS production.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biosynthesis of Lipids
876
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
876
01:15Antifungal Agents
62
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to...
62
02:26Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
30.0K
Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
30.0K