Sponge-derived scalaranes are remarkable sesterterpenoids previously found to exhibit profound inhibitory effects against neutrophilic inflammation. In our current work, we constructed the metabolomic profile of marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. for the first time using a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) molecular networking approach. The results highlighted the rich chemical diversity of these scalaranes, motivating us to conduct further research to discover novel scalaranes targeting neutrophilic inflammation. MS- and NMR-assisted isolation and elucidation led to the discovery of seven new homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes K–Q (1–7), characterized by methylation at C-24, together with five known derivatives, lendenfeldarane B (8), 25-nor-24-methyl-12,24-dioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (9), 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (10), felixin B (11), and 23-hydroxy-20-methyldeoxoscalarin (12). Scalaranes 1–4 and 6–12 were assayed against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively. The results indicated that 1–3 and 6–12 exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities (IC50 for superoxide anion scavenging: 0.87~6.57 μM; IC50 for elastase release: 1.12~6.97 μM).

MicroRNAs involved in the regulation of LC-PUFA biosynthesis in teleosts: miR-33 enhances LC-PUFA biosynthesis in Siganus canaliculatus by targeting insig1 which in turn up-regulates srebp1

Five 8,17-epoxybriaranes, including three new compounds-briarenols I-K (1-3), along with two known analogues, briaexcavatolide P (4) and briaexcavatin P (5), were isolated from the octocoral Briareum excavatum. The structures of briaranes 1-3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR studies and (+)-HRESIMS. Briarane 4 exerted inhibition effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) release from RAW 264.7.Molecules 2020, 25, 1405 2 of 9 ( Figure 1). In the current study, the comprehensive workflow of isolation, structure determination, and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation, was implemented on briaranes 1-5.Molecules 2020, 25, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 9 briaexcavatin P (5) [9], (Figure 1). In the current study, the comprehensive workflow of isolation, structure determination, and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation, was implemented on briaranes 1-5. 1: R1 = OAc, R2 = R6 = OH, R3 = n-OC(O)Pr, R4 = H, R5 = β-OH 2: R1 = R2 = OH, R3 = OAc, R4 = R6 = H, R5 = β-OH 3: R1 = OAc, R2 = R3 = R6 = H, R4 = OH, R5 = β-OH 4: R1 = OAc, R2 = OH, R3 = n-OC(O)Pr, R4 = R6 = H, R5 = β-OH 5: R1 = R3 = OAc, R2 = OH, R4 = R6 = H, R5 = β-OH 6: R1 = OAc, R2 = n-OC(O)Pr, R3 = R4 = R6 = H, R5 = β-OH 7: R1 = OAc, R2 = R3 = R6 = H, R4 = OH, R5 = α-OH Figure 1. Structures of briarenols I-K (1-3), briaexcavatolide P (4), briaexcavatin P (5), excavatolide B (6), and briareolide B (7).

Two new briarane metabolites—fragilides K (1) and L (2)—along with five known analogues—gemmacolide X, praelolide, juncins P and ZI, and gemmacolide V (3–7)—were extracted and purified from Junceella fragilis, a gorgonian coral. Based on data obtained via spectroscopic techniques, the structures of new briaranes 1 and 2 were determined and the cyclohexane rings in 1 and 2 were found to exist in chair and twist boat conformation, respectively. Additionally, anti-inflammatory analysis showed that briaranes 2, 3, and 6 inhibited pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression and briaranes 3 and 7 suppressed the cyclooxygenase-2 level, in LPS-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells.