New cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory steroids from the soft coral Klyxum flaccidum

Abstract

Four new steroids, namely klyflaccisteroids G–J (1–4) were isolated from the Formosan soft coral Klyxum flaccidum. The structures of compounds 1–4 were established by spectral data analysis (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) and comparison of spectral data with those of the related known compounds. Cytotoxicity assay revealed that 4 exhibited inhibition activity against the growth of HT-29, P388 and K562 cancer cell lines, whereas 2 showed selective cytotoxicity toward P388 cells. Compound 4 was also found to display significant anti-inflammatory activity for suppressing superoxide anion generation (O2−) and elastase release.