Dolabellane Diterpenoids from the Xisha Soft Coral Clavularia viridis

Twelve new members (1-12) of the dolabellane family, co-occurring with three related known diterpenoids (13-15), were isolated from the Xisha soft coral Clavularia viridis. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, modified Mosher's method, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Clavuperoxylides A (3) and B (4) represent the first examples of dolabellanes containing peroxyl groups, especially the novel peroxide bridge in 4, whereas clavufuranolides A-C (9-11) are the first example of dolabellane diterpenoids comprising a tetrahydrofuran ring. The possible biogenetic relationship of all the isolates was proposed. In bioassay, several compounds exhibited considerable cytotoxicity against A549 and P388 cell lines. Compound 7 exhibited inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B), an anti-diabetic target, representing the first report of PTP1B inhibitory activity for dolabellane diterpenoids.