Scopararane C (1) was obtained as colorless crystals. The molecular formula, C₂₀H₂₈O₃, consistent with seven degrees of unsaturation, was determined by HR-EI-MS (m/z 316.2032, [M]⁺, C₂₀H₂₈O₃⁺; calcd 316.2033). The ¹H NMR spectrum of 1 demonstrated signals characteristic of terminal vinylic protons at [δ_H 5.87 (1H, dd, J = 17.5, 10.7 Hz, H-15), 5.10 (1H, dd, J = 17.5 Hz, 0.7 Hz , H-16a), and 5.06 (1H, dd, J = 10.7, 0.7 Hz, H-16b)] , an olefinic proton at [δ_H 7.04 (1H, d, J = 1.8 Hz, H-14)], and four tertiary methyl groups at [δ_H 1.41 (3H, s, H-18), 1.29 (3H, s, H-19), 1.21 (3H, s, H-20), and 1.13 (3H, s, H-17)] (Table 1; all spectra are provided as supplementary material). Analyses of ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT135 and HSQC NMR data (Table 1) revealed that scopararane C contains 20 carbons including four singlet methyls, six methylenes (one sp² and five sp³), two sp² methines, and eight quaternary carbons (one α,β-unsaturated carbonyl, an oxygenated sp², two sp², an oxygenated sp³, and three sp³). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of 1 were similar to those reported earlier for pimarane-type diterpene libertellenone A (6) [12,14], except the oxymethine at [δ_H 4.34 (dd, J = 9.5, 5.5 Hz, H-1); δ_C 69.3)] in 6 was replaced by the methylene at [δ_H 1.98 (m), 1.53 (m); δ_C 30.6)] in 1, and the chemical shift of C-2 (δ_C 17.7) in 1 was upfield shifted by ∆δ 11.5 ppm compared with that of C-2 (δ_C 29.2) in 6 (Table 1). ¹H,¹H-COSY spectrum of 1 revealed the partial structure H-1 to H-3 via H-2, the connectivity between H-11 and H-12, and also the connectivity between H-15 and H-16 (Figure 2). The observed HMBC correlations from H-18 to C-3, C-4, C-5 and C-19, H-19 to C-3, C-4, C-5 and C-18, H-20 to C-1, C-5, C-9, and C-10, H-17 to C-12, C-13, C-14, and C-15, H-15 to C-12, C-13, C-14, and C-17, H-14 to C-7, C-8 and C-9, H-12 to C-9, and 6-OH to C-5, C-6, and C-7 (Figure 2), further confirmed the structure for 1. The relative configuration of 1 was identical to that in libertellenone A (6) according to proton coupling constants and NOESY spectrum results (Figure 3). The coupling constants of H-11β (ddd, J = 12.4, 12.4, 3.2 Hz) showed the characteristics of geminal and axial-axial relationships, which indicated the pseudoaxial position of H-11β. H-11β showed NOE correlations with H-17 and H-20, and H-20 showed NOE correlation with H-19, demonstrating that C-17, C-19, and C-20 are in axial configurations on the top face of the molecule. The hydroxyl group at C-9 was established as beta-axial based upon the NOE correlation between H-11β and H-20.

Scopararane D (2) was obtained as colorless crystals. Its molecular formula, C₂₀H₂₈O₄, was determined by HR-EI-MS (m/z 332.1983, [M]⁺, C₂₀H₂₈O₄⁺; calcd 332.1982) indicating the presence of seven degrees of unsaturation. Comparison of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data with those of the scopararane C (1) revealed that the signals were similar, except one methylene signal at [δ_H 1.55 (m), 1.45 (m); δ_C 41.4] in 1 was absent, and one new hydroxyl-bearing methine was present in 2 at [δ_H 3.42 (dd, J = 11.4, 4.5 Hz); δ_C 76.8], which suggested that scopararane D (2) was the 3-hydroxyl derivative of scopararane C (1). The HMBC correlations observed between the proton at δ_H 3.42 (H-3) and the ¹³C signals at δ_C 40.7 (C-4), 28.8 (C-1), 24.9 (C-18), and 18.1 (C-19), further confirmed the assignment of new hydroxyl group to the 3-position. The entire sequence of H-atoms and the C-skeleton of 2 was established by ¹H, ¹H-COSY and HMBC. The relative configuration of 2 was identical to that in libertellenone A (6) and scopararane C (1) according to proton coupling constants and NOESY spectrum data. The proton coupling constants of H-11β (ddd, J = 13.6, 13.6, 3.0 Hz), H-1α (ddd, J = 13.0, 13.0, 4.1 Hz), and H-3α (dd, J = 11.4, 4.5 Hz), indicated the axial orientations of H-11β, H-1α, and H-3α. H-11β showed NOE correlations with H-17 and H-20, and H-20 showed NOE correlation with H-19, indicated the beta-axial positions of Me-17, Me-19, and Me-20. H-3α showed NOE correlations with H-1α and H-18, in agreement with the beta-equatorial position of 3-OH.

Scopararane E (3) was obtained as colorless crystals, which were analyzed for the molecular formula C₂₀H₂₈O₅ (seven unsaturation equivalents) by HR-EI-MS (m/z 371.1833, [M + Na]⁺, C₂₀H₂₈O₅Na⁺; calcd 371.1834). The ¹H NMR spectrum of 3 was similar to that of scopararane D (2), except the methylene proton signal at [δ_H 2.03 (ddd, J = 13.6, 13.6, 3.0 Hz), 1.74 (m)] in 2 was replaced by the oxymethine proton resonance in 3 at [δ_H 4.23 (dd, J = 12.1, 4.2 Hz)]. Comparison of the ¹³C NMR data with those of 2 showed analogy of the chemical shifts except for C-11 and C-12. The above evidence suggested that scopararane E (3) was the 11-hydroxyl derivative of scopararane D (2). The HMBC correlations observed between the proton at δ_H 4.23 (H-11) and the ¹³C signals at δ_C 39.9 (C-12), and 46.7 (C-10), further confirmed the assignment of new hydroxyl group to the 11-position. Analyses of ¹H, ¹H COSY and HMBC spectral data allowed complete assignment of protons and carbons in 3 (Table 1). The relative configuration of 3 was identical to that in libertellenone A (6), scopararane C (1), and scopararane D (2) according to proton coupling constants and NOESY spectrum data.

The absolute stereostructures of compounds 1–3 were determined on the basis of their CD spectra. The absolute configuration of libertellenone A had been established by the modified Mosher method and its CD spectra data had also been reported in the literature [14]. Our results showed that the CD spectra of compounds 1–3 were virtually identical to that of libertellenone A with all demonstrating a clear negative Cotton effect between 350 and 353 nm, which was derived from the π-π* transition of the cross-conjugated system. Compounds 1–3 also have the same positive Cotton effect as libertellenone A at 308–312 nm. Based on the above evidence, compounds 1–3 and 6 belong to the same stereochemical series. Thus, the absolute stereochemistry of 1 was established as 9S, 10S, and 13R, that of 2 as 3S, 9S, 10S, and 13R, and that of 3 as 3S, 9S, 10S, 11R, and 13R.

Scopararane F (4) was obtained as colorless crystals, having a molecular formula of C₂₀H₃₀O₅ (six unsaturation equivalents), determined by HR-EI-MS (m/z 373.1984, [M + Na]⁺, C₂₀H₃₀O₅Na⁺; calcd 373.1991). The ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT135 and HSQC NMR spectra of 4 showed 20 carbon signals and 26 protons for three singlet methyls, seven methylenes (one sp², an oxygenated sp³, and five sp³), three methines (one sp², and two oxygenated sp³), and seven quaternary carbons (two sp², two oxygenated sp³, and three sp³). Comparison of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of 4 with those of scopararane B (7) [9,12] revealed similar signals, except one hydroxyl-bearing double doublet methine signal at [δ_H 4.42 (dd, J = 6.3, 4.8 Hz); δ_C 70.0], and the α,β-unsaturated ketone C-7 (δ_C 194.6) in 7 were absent, and one new methylene at [δ_H 2.19 (ddd, J = 13.6, 5.8, 2.9 Hz), 1.92 (m); δ_C 21.7], and a hydroxyl-bearing singlet methine signal at [δ_H 4.48 (s); δ_C 74.6] were present in 4. The new methylene protons and singlet methine signal were then attributed to H₂-11 and H-7 respectively. HMBC cross-peaks of H-7 with C-6, C-8, and C-9, and H-11 with C-8, C-9, C-12, and C-13, further confirmed the 7-position of the methine and 11-position of the methylene respectively. Analyses of ¹H, ¹H COSY and HMBC spectral data allowed complete assignment of protons and carbons in 4 (Table 2). The relative configuration of 4 was determined by analysis of the ¹H–¹H J-value and NOESY data (Figure 3). The small coupling constants of H-11α [δ_H 2.19 (dd, J = 5.8, 2.9 Hz)] with H-12, indicated the axial location of H-11β (δ_H 1.92). H-11β showed NOE correlations with H-17 and H-20b [δ_H 3.40 (d, J = 9.2 Hz)], and H-20a [δ_H 4.13 (d, J = 9.2 Hz)] showed NOE correlation with H-19, indicating the beta-axial orientation of Me-17, Me-19, and H-20. H-14 showed NOE correlations with H-7 and H-17, in agreement with alpha-axial positions of 7-OH and 14-OH. The relative configurations of C-7 and C-14 were identical to that in sphaeropsidin E [16]. Compound 4 has the same negative optical rotation as compounds 1–3 and 6, and also has the same relative configuration as compounds 1–3 and 6. On the base of biogenetical reasons, the absolute configuration of compound 4 can be assumed to be similar to those of compounds 1–3 and 6. Accordingly, the absolute stereochemistry of 4 was established as 6R, 7R, 8S, 10R, 13R, and 14S.

Scopararane G (5) was obtained as a colorless oil. The HR-EI-MS (m/z 334.2138, [M]⁺, C₂₀H₃₀O₄⁺; calcd 334.2144) indicated a molecular formula of C₂₀H₃₀O₄, requiring six unsaturations. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of 5 were similar to those of scopararane F (4), except for the missing signal of the oxygenated methylene at [δ_H 4.13 (d, J = 9.2 Hz), 3.40 (d, J = 9.2 Hz); δ_C 72.4] in 4, the presence of a singlet methyl at [δ_H 1.07 (s); δ_C 23.5] in 5, and the replacement from the oxygenated quaternary C-6 at (δ_C 107.2) in 4 to the carbonyl resonance at (δ_C 210.9) in 5. Based on these spectral data, scopararane G (5) was assigned as the ketone derivative of scopararane F (4). HMBC cross-peaks of H-20 with C-1, C-5, and C-9, and H-7 with C-6, C-8, and C-9, further confirmed the 20-position of the methyl and 6-position of the carbonyl respectively. The entire sequence of H-atoms and the C-skeleton of 5 was established by ¹H, ¹H COSY and HMBC (Table 2). The relative configurations of rings A and C were identical to those in 4, and the relative configurations of C-7 and C-14 were also identical to those in sphaeropsidin E [16] according to NOE results. The absolute stereochemistry of 5 was assigned by comparison its CD spectra with those of sphaeropsidin E [16]. Compound 5 showed similar Cotton effect to sphaeropsidin E at 277 nm, 250 nm, and 227 nm. Due to the presence of carbonyl in B ring of 5, an additional negative Cotton effect was also observed at 342 nm. Based on the evidence above, in addition to biogenetical reasons, the absolute stereochemistry of 5 was established as 6R, 8S, 10R, 13R, and 14S.

Compounds 1–11 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against three human cell lines, including SF-268 (human glioma cell line), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line) and NCI-H460 (human non-small cell lung cancer cell line) by the MTT method. The results of the cytotoxicity tests suggested that all the analogues demonstrated quite different cytotoxic activities (Table 3). Diaporthein B (9) exhibited strong cytotoxicities against SF-268, MCF-7 and NCI-H460 cell growth with IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.4–9.9 μM. Libertellenone A (6) displayed varying cytotoxic activities against the three cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 12.0–40.2 μM. Scopararanes C (1) and D (2) showed moderate cytotoxic activities against the tumor cell line MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 35.9 μM and 25.6 μM, respectively. The other compounds displayed no appreciable activity, except that compounds 3, 5, and 7 showed weak cytotoxic activities against the MCF-7 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 74.1 μM, 85.5 μM, and 60.1 μM, respectively.

By comparing the structures of diaporthein B (9) with diaporthein A (8), scopararane B (7), and libertellenone A (6), we found that compound 9 displayed strong analogies with compounds 8 and 7, differing only in the presence of a ketone moiety at C-7 replacing a hydroxy group, and a ∆^{8, 14} olefinic bond instead of a ∆^{8, 9} olefinic bond, respectively; compound 9 exhibited high structural similarity with compound 6 and the main structural difference between them is at position C-20. It also should be noted that the only structural differences between libertellenone A (6) and scopararanes C–E (1–3) are the number and positions of hydroxyl groups. All the above suggested that the carbonyl at position C-7, ∆^8,14 olefinic bond, whether the C-20 methyl forms a furan ring with C-6, C-5, and C-10, and the number and positions of hydroxyl groups, might be the important structural factors leading to the distinction of their cytotoxicities. Diaporthein B and the 11-dehydroxy derivative of diaporthein B (scopararane A) were reported to show significant cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines (KB, MCF-7, NCI-H187) and nonmalignant Vero cells (African green monkey kidney fibroblasts) [10,17], which further demonstrates that the structural features described above are important determinants of cytotoxic activity. The target of the cytotoxic effect of these compounds is still unknown.

¹H, ¹³C NMR and DEPT spectra and 2D NMR were recorded on a Bruker Avance-500 spectrometer with TMS as internal standard; at 500/125 MHz, respectively; δ in ppm, J in Hz. HR-EI-MS were measured on a Thermo MAT95XP High Resolution mass spectrometer and EIMS on a Thermo DSQ EI-mass spectrometer; in m/z. Optical rotations were measured in methanol using a Perkin-Elmer 341 polarimeter from Perkin Elmer. CD measurements were carried out under N₂ gas on a Jasco 820 spectropolarimeter. IR spectra were recorded on a Bruker EQUINOX 55 spectrophotometer. UV spectra were measured on a Biochrom Ultrospec 6300 pro UV-visible spectrophotometer; λ_max (log ε) in nm. Column chromatography (CC) was performed with silica gel (SiO₂; 200–300 mesh; Qingdao Haiyang Chemical Group Co., Qingdao, China), Chromatorex ODS (40–75 μm; Fuji Silysia), and Sephadex LH-20 (Amersham Biosciences). TLC was conducted with precoated glass plates GF-254 (Qingdao Haiyang Chemical Group Co., Qingdao, China). Melting points were measured with a Netzsch DSC 204 apparatus. Solvents were of the industrial purity and distilled prior to use.

The strain FS26 was isolated from a marine sediment sample, which was collected at the depth of 139 m in the South China Sea (18°42.878′N，111°2.797′E), in August 2008. The strain was identified by sequence analysis of the rDNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region. The sequence of the ITS region of the marine fungus E. scoparia FS26 has been submitted to GenBank (Accession No. HM989831). By using BLAST (nucleotide sequence comparison program) to search the GenBank database, E. scoparia FS26 has 100% similarity to E. scoparia BAFC 3321 (Accession No. EU702431.1). The strain is preserved at the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbiol Culture Collection and Application, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology [11,12].

E. scoparia FS26 was cultured in potato dextrose broth (potato 20%, glucose 2%, K₂HPO₄ 0.3%, MgSO₄·7H₂O 0.15%, vitamin B₁ 10 mg/L), which was prepared in 50% (v/v) sea water instead of distilled water. The fungus E. scoparia FS26 was maintained on 50% (v/v) sea water potato dextrose agar medium at 28 °C for 5 days, and then three pieces (0.5 × 0.5 cm²) of mycelial agar plugs were inoculated into 20 × 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks, each containing 250 mL 50% (v/v) sea water potato dextrose broth. After 6 days of incubation at 28 °C on a rotary shaker at 130 r/m, 25 mL seed cultures was aseptically transferred into a total of 200 flasks (1000 mL) containing 500 mL of 50% (v/v) sea water potato dextrose broth. The liquid cultivation that followed was kept for 7 days at 28 °C and 130 r/m on a rotary shaker.

The culture (100 L) was centrifuged to give the broth and mycelia. The broth was exhaustively extracted with EtOAc four times, then the EtOAc layers were combined and evaporated under reduced pressure at a temperature not exceeding 40 °C to yield a dark brown gum (24.8 g). Fungal mycelia were thoroughly extracted with EtOAc four times and then the extracts were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a mycelial crude extract (132.4 g). Both crude EtOAc extracts were subjected to silica gel column chromatography (200–300 mesh) with a gradient system of increasing polarity (petroleum ether/AcOEt/MeOH), to afford 20 fractions (Fr.A–Fr.V) for the liquid culture and 20 fractions for the mycelia (Fr.1–Fr.20), respectively.

The Fr.F eluting with 15:1 petroleum ether-EtOAc was subjected to CC on Sephadex LH-20 (CHCl₃/MeOH, 1:1), to yield compound 1 (114.2 mg). The Fr.M eluting with 3:1 petroleum ether-EtOAc was subjected to CC on Sephadex LH-20 (CHCl₃/MeOH, 1:1), to give 2 sub-fractions Fr.M-1 and Fr.M-2. Fr.M-2 was first purified by CC over reversed-phase silica gel C₁₈ (MeOH/H₂O, 60:40), then followed by CC (SiO₂; petroleum ether/AcOEt, 5:1) to get compound 5 (57.1 mg). The Fr.N eluting with 7:3 petroleum ether-EtOAc was subjected to CC on Sephadex LH-20 (CHCl₃/MeOH, 1:1), and then followed by CC over reversed-phase silica gel C₁₈ (MeOH/H₂O, 50:50 to 70:30) to yield compounds 2 (36.6 mg). The Fr.P eluting with 1:1 petroleum ether-EtOAc was subjected to CC on Sephadex LH-20 (CHCl₃/MeOH, 1:1), and followed by CC over reversed-phase silica gel C₁₈ (MeOH/H₂O, 40:60 to 60:40) to yield 3 sub-fractions Fr.P-1 to Fr.P-3. Fr.P-2 was further purified by CC (SiO₂; petroleum ether/AcOEt, 2:1) to get compound 3 (8.0 mg). The Fr.14 eluting with 2:1 petroleum ether-EtOAc was subjected to CC on Sephadex LH-20 (CHCl₃/MeOH, 1:1), followed by CC over reversed-phase silica gel C₁₈ (MeOH/H₂O, 70:30) and CC (SiO₂; petroleum ether/AcOEt, 2:1) to get compound 4 (11.1 mg).

Scopararane C (1): colorless crystals; mp 170.4 °C; [α]²⁵_D −160.40 (c 1.53, CHCl₃); UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 219 (3.75), 263 (3.68), 325 (3.92) nm; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 352 (−32.4), 308 (+7.3); IR (KBr) v_max 3528, 3412, 3011, 2954, 2924, 2866, 1652, 1622, 1590, 1462, 1394, 1369, 1287, 1211, 1122, 1085, 1046, 997, 842, 806, 780, 679, 545 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR, see Table 1; HR-EI-MS m/z 316.2032 [M]⁺(calcd for C₂₀H₂₈O₃⁺, 316.2033).

Scopararane D (2): colorless crystals; mp 197.4 °C; [α]²⁵_D −200.36 (c 0.84, CHCl₃); UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 218 (3.94), 260 (3.81), 325 (4.02) nm; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 351 (−37.7), 310 (+9.1); IR (KBr) v_max 3522, 3410, 3089, 2968, 2877, 1650, 1620, 1591, 1465, 1392, 1369, 1289, 1231, 1206, 1142, 1085, 1044, 1012, 957, 919, 878, 806, 780, 679, 548 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR, see Table 1; HR-EI-MS m/z 332.1983 [M]⁺ (calcd for C₂₀H₂₈O₄⁺, 332.1982).

Scopararane E (3): colorless crystals; colorless crystals; mp 100.0 °C; [α]²⁵_D −92.30 (c 0.77, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 218 (4.02), 259 (3.90), 324 (4.12) nm; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 350 (−36.4), 312 (+15.1); IR (KBr) v_max 3417, 3087, 2970, 2941, 2874, 1653, 1622, 1592, 1464, 1396, 1374, 1333, 1289, 1230, 1153, 1064, 1041, 1017, 1002, 968, 916, 877, 835, 778, 731, 678, 545 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR, see Table 1; HR-EI-MS m/z 371.1833 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd for C₂₀H₂₈O₅ Na⁺, 371.1834).

Scopararane F (4): colorless crystals; mp 170.0 °C; [α]²⁵_D −94.70 (c 0.66, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 207 (3.41) nm; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 207 (−103.4); IR (KBr) v_max 3382, 3086, 2932, 1641, 1460, 1393, 1302, 1247, 1212, 1180, 1125, 1001, 949, 914, 877, 845, 804, 709 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR, see Table 2; HR-EI-MS m/z 373.1984 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd for C₂₀H₃₀O₅Na⁺, 373.1991).

Scopararane G (5): a colorless oil; [α]²⁵_D +1.43 (c 0.42, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (log ε) 206 (3.67), 232 (3.45), 278 (3.21) nm; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 342 (−0.8), 277 (+0.4), 250 (−1.1), 227 (+1.8); IR (KBr) v_max 3436, 2960, 2928, 2874, 1725, 1461, 1379, 1286, 1125, 1074, 1043, 844, 805, 745 cm⁻¹; ¹H and ¹³C NMR, see Table 2; HR-EI-MS m/z 334.2138 [M]⁺ (calcd for C₂₀H₃₀O₄⁺, 334.2144).

Libertellenone A (6): colorless crystals; CD (CH₃CN) (∆ε) 353 (−46.3), 311 (+13.8).

Cytotoxicities of compounds (1–5) were assayed against three tumor cell lines MCF-7, NCI-H460 and SF-268. Assays were performed by the MTT method [18].