Phorbasones A and B, sesterterpenoids isolated from the marine sponge Phorbas sp. and induction of osteoblast differentiation.

Two new sesterterpenoids, phorbasones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the Korean marine sponge Phorbas sp. Their complete structures were elucidated by spectral data and chemical reactions. Phorbasone A exhibited a positive effect on the calcium deposition activity in C3H10T1/2 cells. The biogenic origin of the core structure is believed to be through a novel rearrangement from the ansellone carbon structure.