Additional alkaloids from Zoanthus vietnamensis with neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic effects

A chemical investigation of the zoantharian Zoanthus vietnamensis, collected off Taiwan, yielded eleven new alkaloids, 7 alpha-hydroxykuroshine J (1), 18 beta-hydroxykuroshine J (2), 5 alpha-hydroxyzoanthenamine (3), 5 beta-hydroxyzoanthenamine (4), 14 alpha-hydroxyzoanthenamine (5), 30-hydroxyzoanthenamine (6), 11-dehydroxy-18-epikuroshine A (7), 5 alpha-hydroxykuroshine A (8), 7 beta-hydroxykuroshine A (9), 11-keto-oxyzoanthamine (10), and 30-hydroxyzoanthamine (11), along with eight known compounds (12-19). The structures of these compounds were identified by detailed spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, IR, NMR, and UV spectra. All secondary metabolites isolated from Z. vietnamensis were investigated for the anti-angiogenic effect in human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Compounds 6, 7, 11, and 13 exhibited mild anti-angiogenic effect by blocking cell growth and tube formation of EPCs. The neuroprotective potential of four major compounds 12, 14, 15, and 19 against paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity was evaluated. Pretreatment of 14 and 15 protected paclitaxel-damaged neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, without interfering the cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel on cervical cancer SiHa cells.

Automated summary

Chemical investigation of the zoantharian Zoanthus vietnamensis collected off Taiwan led to the discovery of eleven new alkaloids and eight known compounds. Some of these compounds showed mild anti-angiogenic effects and neuroprotective potential.