Rumphellaones B and C, new 4,5-seco-caryophyllane sesquiterpenoids from Rumphellan antipathies.

Two new 4,5-seco-caryophyllane sesquiterpenoids, rumphellaones B (1) and C (2), which were found to possess unprecedented γ-lactone moieties, were obtained from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compound 2 was found to display modest inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils at a concentration of 10 μg/mL.

1. Introduction

The chemical constituents of gorgonian corals of the genus Rumphella, which are widely distributed in the subtropical and tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean have been investigated for ecological and medical uses [1,2,3]. As part of our ongoing investigation into the isolation of new substances from marine invertebrates collected in the waters of Taiwan, an intersection of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents, the chemical constituents of an organic extract of the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies (Scheme 1) which displayed meaningful signals in NMR studies were studied. Previous chemical investigations on R. antipathies yielded a series of caryophyllane-type sesquiterpenoid analogues, including kobusone [4], isokobusone [5], rumphellolides A–I [6,7,8,9], and rumphellatins A–D [10,11,12], which mostly possess a bicyclo[7.2.0] carbon skeleton. Moreover, in an our previous study, the first 4,5-seco-caryophyllane derivative, rumphellaone A [13], was isolated from R. antipathies. In further studies on this interesting organism, two new 4,5-seco-caryophyllane derivatives, rumphellaones B (1) and C (2), were isolated. In this paper, we describe the isolation, structure determination and anti-inflammatory properties of compounds 1 and 2 (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1

The gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies and the structures of rumphellaones B (1), C (2) and A (3).

Rumphella antipathies

2. Results and Discussion

Rumphellaone B (1) was isolated as a colorless oil that gave a pseudomolecular ion [M–H]+ at m/z 249.1493 in the HRESIMS, indicating the molecular formula C15H22O3 (calcd. for C15H21O3, 249.1485) implying five degrees of unsaturation. IR absorptions were observed at 1,767 and 1,712 cm−1, suggesting the presence of γ-lactone and α,β-unsaturated ketone groups. The 13C-NMR and DEPT spectra of 1 (Table 1) showed that this compound has 15 carbons, including four methyls, three sp3 methylenes, two sp3 methines, two sp2 methines and four quaternary carbons (including an oxygenated quaternary carbon, an ester carbonyl and a ketone carbonyl). From the 13C-NMR data, three degrees of unsaturation were accounted for and 1 must thus be a compound with two rings. From the 1H-1H COSY experiment of 1 (Table 1 and Figure 1), it was possible to establish the spin systems that map out the proton sequences from H2-10/H-9/H-1/H-2/H-3 and H2-6/H2-7, which were assembled with the assistance of an HMBC experiment (Table 1 and Figure 1). The HMBC correlations between protons and quaternary carbons of 1, such as H-2, H-3, H3-12/C-4; H2-6, H2-7/C-5; H-1, H2-10, H3-13/C-8; and H-1, H2-10, H3-14, H3-15/C-11 permitted elucidation of the main carbon skeleton of 1. The tertiary methyls at C-4 and C-8 were confirmed by the HMBC correlations between H3-12/C-3, -4 and H3-13/C-7, -8, -9, respectively. Moreover, two tertiary methyls at C-11 were elucidated by the HMBC correlations between H3-14/C-1, -10, -11, -15 and H3-15/C-1, -10, -11, -14. The linkage between the fragments cyclobutane and γ-lactone was established by the HMBC correlations between H-1, H2-10/C-8 and H3-13/C-9. Based on the consideration of molecular formula, an oxygen atom had to be placed between the C-5 carbonyl carbon (δC 176.7) and the C-8 oxygenated quaternary carbon (δC 86.6) to form a γ-lactone moiety.

Table 1

1H (400 MHz, CDCl3) and 13C (100 MHz, CDCl3) NMR data, 1H-1H COSY and HMBC correlations for rumphellaone B (1).

Position	δH (J in Hz)	δC, Multiple	1H–1H COSY	HMBC
1	2.78 dd (9.2, 8.4)	48.0, CH	H-2, H-9	C-2, -3, -8, -9, -11, -14, -15
2	6.77 dd (16.0, 8.4)	147.1, CH	H-1, H-3	C-4, -9
3	6.09 d (16.0)	131.4, CH	H-2	C-1, -4
4		198.1, C
5		176.7, C
6	2.51–2.68 m	29.1, CH2	H2-7	C-5
7	1.85–2.02 m	30.9, CH2	H2-6	C-5, -6
8		86.6, C
9	2.39 m	43.0, CH	H-1, H2-10	C-1, -2, -10
10	1.51–1.70 m	33.1, CH2	H-9	C-1, -8, -9, -11, -14, -15
11		36.0, C
12	2.25 s	27.4, CH3		C-3, -4
13	1.25 s	24.6, CH3		C-7, -8, -9
14	1.04 s	23.8, CH3		C-1, -10, -11, -15
15	1.10 s	29.6, CH3		C-1, -10, -11, -14

Figure 1

Selective key 1H-1H COSY and HMBCcorrelations for 1.

The relative configuration of 1 was established by an analysis of interactions that were found in the NOESY experiment (Figure 2) and by vicinal 1H–1H coupling constant analysis. Due to the α-orientation of H-9, a large coupling constant was found between H-9 and H-1 (J = 9.2 Hz), indicating that H-1 has a β-orientation. H-1 showed a correlation with the tertiary methyl Me-15 suggesting that H-1 and H3-15 are located on the same face. Me-13 showed an interaction with H-9 and by comparison the NMR data of C-8 oxygenated quaternary carbon (δC 86.6) and Me-13 (δH 1.25, 3H, s; δC 24.6) with those of a similar analogue, rumphellaone A (3) (δC 87.2, C-8; δH 1.31, 3H, s; δC 24.9, CH3-13) [13], indicating that Me-13 was α-oriented at C-8. The trans geometry of the C-2/3 double bond was indicated by a 16.0 Hz coupling constant between H-2 (δH 6.77) and H-3 (δH 6.09). Based on the above findings, the configurations of all chiarl carbons of 1 were assigned to be 1R*, 8S* and 9S*.

Figure 2

Selective key NOESY correlations for 1.

Rumphellaone C (2) was isolated as a colorless oil that gave a pseudomolecular ion [M+Na]+ at m/z 291.1570 in the HRESIMS, indicating the molecular formula C15H24O4 (calcd. for C15H24O4Na, 291.1572) and implying four degrees of unsaturation. IR absorptions were observed at 3,435, 1,763 and 1,714 cm−1, suggesting the presence of hydroxy, γ-lactone and ketone groups in 2. The 13C-NMR and DEPT spectra showed that this compound has 15 carbons (Table 2), including three methyls, six methylenes (including an oxymethylene), two methines and four quaternary carbons (including an oxygenated quaternary carbon and two carbonyls). Thus, from the 13C-NMR data, two degrees of unsaturation was accounted for, and 2 must have two rings. The 1H-NMR spectrum of 2 showed that all three methyl groups are isolated. In addition, six pairs of aliphatic methylene protons and two aliphatic methine protons were observed in the 1H-NMR spectrum of 2 (Table 2). It was found that the spectral data (IR, 1H and 13C-NMR) of 2 were similar to those of a known analogue, rumphellaone A (3) [13]. However, the 1H and 13C-NMR spectra revealed that the signals corresponding to the C-13 methyl group in 2 disappeared and were replaced by those of an additional hydroxymethyl group. Thus, compound 2 was found to be the 13-hydroxy derivative of 3 with the structure as described by formula 2.

Table 2

1H (400 MHz, CDCl3) and 13C (100 MHz, CDCl3) NMR data, 1H-1H COSY and HMBC correlations for rumphellaone C (2).

Position	δH (J in Hz)	δC, Multiple	1H–1H COSY	HMBC
1	1.90 m	44.0, CH	H2-2, H-9	C-10, -11, -15
2	1.62 m	24.9, CH2	H-1, H2-3	C-1, -3, -4, -9, -11
3	2.36 t (7.2)	41.8, CH2	H2-2	C-1, -2, -4
4		208.6, C
5		177.6, C
6	2.54 ddd (18.0, 10.8, 5.2)	29.7, CH2	H2-7	C-5, -7
	2.71 ddd (18.0, 10.8, 7.6)
7	1.94 ddd (14.2, 10.8, 7.6)	25.6, CH2	H2-6	C-5, -8, -9, -13
	2.20 ddd (14.2, 10.8, 5.2)
8		89.5, C
9	2.12 ddd (10.0, 10.0, 9.6)	40.2, CH	H-1, H2-10	n. o. a
10	1.43 dd (10.4, 10.0)	33.0, CH2	H-9	C-1, -8, -9, -11, -14, -15
	1.57 dd (10.4, 9.6)
11		33.5, C
12	2.12 s	30.0, CH3		C-3, -4
13	3.43 d (11.6)	66.6, CH2		C-7, -8
	3.73 d (11.6)
14	1.03 s	22.5, CH3		C-1, -10, -11, -15
15	1.07 s	30.8, CH3		C-1, -10, -11, -14

a n. o. = not observed.

The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1 and 2 were examined and 2 displayed modestly inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions (inhibition rate = 24.7%) and the release of elastase (inhibition rate = 21.1%) by human neutrophils in response to FMLP/CB at a concentration of 10 μg/mL.

3. Experimental Section

3.1. General Experimental Procedures

Optical rotation values were measured with a Jasco P-1010 digital polarimeter (Japan Spectroscopic Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). IR spectra were obtained on a Varian Diglab FTS 1000 FT-IR spectrophotometer (Varian Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA); peaks are reported in cm−1. NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Mercury Plus 400 NMR spectrometer (Varian Inc.) using the residual CHCl3 signal (δH 7.26 ppm) as the internal standard for 1H-NMR and CDCl3 (δC 77.1 ppm) for 13C-NMR. Coupling constants (J) are given in Hz. ESIMS and HRESIMS were recorded using a Bruker 7 Tesla solariX FTMS system (Bruker, Bremen, Germany). Column chromatography was performed on silica gel (230–400 mesh, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). TLC was carried out on precoated Kieselgel 60 F254 (0.25 mm, Merck); spots were visualized by spraying with 10% H2SO4 solution followed by heating. Normal-phase HPLC (NP-HPLC) was performed using a system comprised of a Hitachi L-7110 pump (Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), a Hitachi L-7455 photodiode array detector (Hitachi Ltd.) and a Rheodyne 7725 injection port (Rheodyne LLC, Rohnert Park, CA, USA). A semi-preparative normal-phase column (Hibar 250 × 10 mm, LiChrospher Si 60, 5 μm, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) was used for HPLC.

3.2. Animal Material

Specimens of the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies (Nutting) were collected by hand using scuba equipment off the coast of Pingtung, Southern Taiwan. A voucher specimen (specimen No. NMMBA-TWGC-010) was deposited in the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Taiwan.

3.3. Extraction and Isolation

Sliced bodies of the gorgonian R. antipathies (wet weight 402 g, dry weight 144 g) are extracted with a mixture of methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) (1:1) at room temperature. The extract was partitioned between ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and H2O and the EtOAc layer was subjected to silica gel and eluted using n-hexane/EtOAc (stepwise, 25:1-pure EtOAc) to yield 29 fractions. Every fraction was checked using the 1H-NMR spectra. Fractions 21 and 27 were re-purified by normal phase HPLC (NP-HPLC) using a mixture of n-hexane and acetone as the mobile phase to afford 1 (5.0 mg, 3:1) and 2 (3.4 mg, 2:1), respectively.

Rumphellaone B (1): Colorless oil; +18 (c 0.25, CHCl3); IR (neat) νmax 1,767, 1,712 cm−1; 1H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) and 13C-NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) data, see Table 1; ESIMS m/z 249 [M − H]+; HRESIMS m/z 249.1493 (calcd. for C15H22O3–H, 249.1485).

Rumphellaone C (2): Colorless oil; −8 (c 0.18, CHCl3); IR (neat) νmax 3,435, 1,763, 1,714 cm−1; 1H-NMR(CDCl3, 400 MHz) and 13C-NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) data: see Table 2; ESIMS m/z 291 [M + Na]+; HRESIMS m/z 291.1570 (calcd. for C15H24O4+Na, 291.1572).

3.4. Generation of Superoxide Anions and Release of Elastase by Human Neutrophils

Human neutrophils were obtained by means of dextran sedimentation and Ficoll centrifugation. Measurements of superoxide anion generation and elastase release were carried out according to previously described procedures [14,15]. Briefly, superoxide anion production was assayed by monitoring the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. Elastase release experiments were performed using MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Valp-nitroanilide as the elastase substrate. In the in vitro anti-inflammatory bioassay, the inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anion and the release of elastase by activated neutrophils were used as indicators. For significant activity of pure compounds, an inhibition rate ≥ 50% is required (inhibition rate ≤ 10%, not active; 20% ≥ inhibition rate ≥ 10%, weakly anti-inflammatory; 50% ≥ inhibition rate ≥ 20%, modestly anti-inflammatory).

4. Conclusions

The gorgonian coral R. antipathies, collected off the waters of Taiwan, has proven to be a rich source of caryophyllane- and clovane-type sesquiterpenoids. In our continuing investigation on the chemical constituents of R. antipathies, two new 4,5-secocaryophyllane derivatives, rumphellaones B (1) and C (2), were isolated. It is noteworthy to mention that metabolites 1 and 2 represent the second and third 4,5-secocaryophyllane derivative containing a γ-lactone moiety, respectively, and compound 2 was found to display modestly inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils.