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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">marinedrugs</journal-id>
      <journal-title>Marine Drugs</journal-title>
      <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="publisher">Mar. Drugs</abbrev-journal-title>
      <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="pubmed">Marine Drugs</abbrev-journal-title>
      <issn pub-type="epub">1660-3397</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>MDPI</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.3390/md11020571</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">marinedrugs-11-00571</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group>
          <subject>Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>New Steroids from the Soft Coral <italic>Nephthea chabrolii</italic></article-title>
      </title-group>
      
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Wang</surname>
            <given-names>Shang-Kwei</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref rid="af1-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="aff">1</xref>
          <xref rid="af2-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="aff">2</xref>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Puu</surname>
            <given-names>Shyh-Yueh</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref rid="af3-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="aff">3</xref>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Duh</surname>
            <given-names>Chang-Yih</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref rid="af1-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="aff">1</xref>
          <xref rid="af3-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="aff">3</xref>
          <xref rid="c1-marinedrugs-11-00571" ref-type="corresp">*</xref>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      
	  <aff id="af1-marinedrugs-11-00571"><label>1 </label>Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; E-Mail: <email>skwang@cc.kmu.edu.tw</email></aff>
      <aff id="af2-marinedrugs-11-00571"><label>2 </label>Department of Microbiology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan</aff>
      <aff id="af3-marinedrugs-11-00571"><label>3 </label>Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; E-Mail: <email>a9401098@stmail.isu.edu.tw</email></aff>
	  <author-notes>
        <corresp id="c1-marinedrugs-11-00571"><label>*</label> Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: <email>yihduh@mail.nsysu.edu.tw</email>; Tel.: +886-7-525-2000 (ext. 5036); Fax: +886-7-525-5020.</corresp>
      </author-notes>
      <pub-date pub-type="epub">
        <day>22</day>
        <month>02</month>
        <year>2013</year>
      </pub-date>
      <pub-date pub-type="collection"> <month>02</month>
        <year>2013</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>11</volume>
      <issue>2</issue>
      <fpage>571</fpage>
      <lpage>580</lpage>
      <history>
        <date date-type="received">
          <day>09</day>
          <month>01</month>
          <year>2013</year>
        </date>
        <date date-type="rev-recd">
          <day>18</day>
          <month>02</month>
          <year>2013</year>
        </date>
        <date date-type="accepted">
          <day>18</day>
          <month>02</month>
          <year>2013</year>
        </date>
      </history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2013</copyright-year>
        <license xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" license-type="open-access" xlink:href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/">
          <p>This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).</p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract>
        <p>A new cytotoxic 19-oxygenated steroid, nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>) and two new cytotoxic 19-norergosterols, nebrosteroids R and S (<bold>2</bold> and <bold>3</bold>) were isolated from the soft coral <italic>Nephthea chabrolii</italic> collected at San-Hsian-Tai. The structures of nebrosteroids Q–S (<bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>) were elucidated by spectral analysis, and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells as well as antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were measured <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>
          <italic>Nephthea chabrolii</italic>
        </kwd>
        <kwd>19-oxygenated steroid</kwd>
        <kwd>norergosterol</kwd>
        <kwd>cytotoxicity</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body>
    <sec sec-type="intro">
      <title>1. Introduction</title>
      <p>Numerous secondary metabolites including steroids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids, and meroditerpenoids have been isolated from soft corals of the genus <italic>Nephthea</italic> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B1-marinedrugs-11-00571">1</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B2-marinedrugs-11-00571">2</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B3-marinedrugs-11-00571">3</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B4-marinedrugs-11-00571">4</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B5-marinedrugs-11-00571">5</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B6-marinedrugs-11-00571">6</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B7-marinedrugs-11-00571">7</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B8-marinedrugs-11-00571">8</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B9-marinedrugs-11-00571">9</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B10-marinedrugs-11-00571">10</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B11-marinedrugs-11-00571">11</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B12-marinedrugs-11-00571">12</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B13-marinedrugs-11-00571">13</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B14-marinedrugs-11-00571">14</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B15-marinedrugs-11-00571">15</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B16-marinedrugs-11-00571">16</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B17-marinedrugs-11-00571">17</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B18-marinedrugs-11-00571">18</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B19-marinedrugs-11-00571">19</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B20-marinedrugs-11-00571">20</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B21-marinedrugs-11-00571">21</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B22-marinedrugs-11-00571">22</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B23-marinedrugs-11-00571">23</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B24-marinedrugs-11-00571">24</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B25-marinedrugs-11-00571">25</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B26-marinedrugs-11-00571">26</xref>]. Previous studies on these materials showed them to exhibit diverse biological properties including cytotoxic [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B3-marinedrugs-11-00571">3</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B4-marinedrugs-11-00571">4</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B5-marinedrugs-11-00571">5</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B6-marinedrugs-11-00571">6</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B17-marinedrugs-11-00571">17</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B19-marinedrugs-11-00571">19</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B26-marinedrugs-11-00571">26</xref>], anti-inflammatory [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B12-marinedrugs-11-00571">12</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B13-marinedrugs-11-00571">13</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B22-marinedrugs-11-00571">22</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B25-marinedrugs-11-00571">25</xref>] and antimicrobial activities [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B18-marinedrugs-11-00571">18</xref>]. The acetone extract of the soft coral <italic>Nephthea chabrolii</italic> (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f001">Figure 1</xref>) was found to be cytotoxic towards P-388 mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells. Chromatographic fractionation led to the isolation of a new cytotoxic 19-oxygenated steroid, nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>) and two new cytotoxic 19-norergosterols, nebrosteroids R and S (<bold>2</bold> and <bold>3</bold>) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f002">Figure 2</xref>).</p>
      <fig id="marinedrugs-11-00571-f001" position="float">
        <label>Figure 1</label>
        <caption>
          <p>Soft coral <italic>Nephthea chabrolii</italic>.</p>
        </caption>
        <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="marinedrugs-11-00571-g001.tif"/>
      </fig>
      <fig id="marinedrugs-11-00571-f002" position="float">
        <label>Figure 2</label>
        <caption>
          <p>Structures of compounds <bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>.</p>
        </caption>
        <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="marinedrugs-11-00571-g002.tif"/>
      </fig>
    </sec>
    <sec sec-type="results">
      <title>2. Results and Discussion</title>
      <p>Nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>) had a molecular formula of C<sub>30</sub>H<sub>48</sub>O<sub>4</sub> as established by interpretation of its HRESIMS and NMR data (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>). The IR spectrum of <bold>1</bold> indicated the presence of hydroxyl(s) (ν<sub>max</sub> 3375 cm<sup>−1</sup>) and ester groups (ν<sub>max</sub> 1737 cm<sup>−1</sup>). Further, the <sup>1</sup>H NMR data (in CD<sub>3</sub>OD) revealed the presence of a tertiary methyl (δ<sub>H</sub> 0.97), three secondary methyls (δ<sub>H</sub> 0.97, 1.02, and 1.03), two oxymethines [δ<sub>H</sub> 3.44 (1H, m), 4.14 (1H, td, <italic>J</italic> = 5.6, 2.0 Hz)], and an oxymethylene [δ<sub>H</sub> 4.02, 4.53 (<italic>J</italic><sub>AB</sub> = 12.0 Hz)]. The presence of a trisubstituted double bond was revealed by NMR data (in CD<sub>3</sub>OD) [δ<sub>H</sub> 5.62 (1H, d, <italic>J</italic> = 5.6 Hz), δ<sub>C</sub> 126.7 (CH), 137.2 (C<sub>q</sub>)] (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>). NMR data (in CD<sub>3</sub>OD) of <bold>1</bold> exhibited the presence of an acetoxyl group [δ<sub>H</sub> 2.04 (3H, s), δ<sub>C</sub> 21.1 (CH<sub>3</sub>), 172.7 (C<sub>q</sub>)]. The <sup>13</sup>C NMR and DEPT spectra of <bold>1</bold> contained resonances for ten sp<sup>3</sup> methylenes, eight sp<sup>3</sup> methines, two quaternary sp<sup>3</sup> carbons, one sp<sup>2</sup> methine, one sp<sup>2</sup> methylene, two quaternary sp<sup>2</sup> carbons, and one carbonyl. Comparison of NMR chemical shift values of <bold>1</bold> with those of ergost-5-en-3β,15β,19-triol [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B5-marinedrugs-11-00571">5</xref>] reported from the soft coral <italic>Nephthea erecta</italic> as well as its HMBC cross-peaks of H<sub>2</sub>-19/C-1, C-5, C-9, C-10, carbonyl carbon at C-19 suggested that <bold>1</bold> may be a 19-acetyl analogue of ergost-5-en-3β,15β,19-triol. Interpretation of the <sup>1</sup>H-<sup>1</sup>H COSY spectrum led to partial structures I and II (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f003">Figure 3</xref>). Rings A and B were elucidated on the basis of HMBC cross-peaks (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f003">Figure 3</xref>) between H<sub>2</sub>-19/C-1, C-5, C-9, C-10 and H<sub>2</sub>-4, H-6/C-10, whereas rings C and D were completed based on HMBC correlations between H<sub>3</sub>-18/C-12, C-13, C-14, C-17. The NOESY correlations (in CDCl<sub>3</sub>) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f004">Figure 4</xref>) observed between H-11β and H<sub>3</sub>-18, H-11β and H-19, H-19 and H-4β, H<sub>3</sub>-18 and H-8, H<sub>3</sub>-18 and H-20, H-3 and H-4α, H-9 and H-14, H-15 and H-16α, and H-15 and H-14 in <bold>1</bold> confirmed that nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>) was ergost-5-en-3β,15β,19-triol 19-acetate.</p>
      <table-wrap id="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001" position="float">
        <object-id pub-id-type="pii">marinedrugs-11-00571-t001_Table 1</object-id>
        <label>Table 1</label>
        <caption>
          <p><sup>1</sup>H and <sup>13</sup>C NMR data for compounds <bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>. </p>
        </caption>
        <table>
          <thead>
            <tr>
              <th rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">position</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle"> </th>
              <th colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">1</th>
              <th colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">2</th>
              <th colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">3</th>
            </tr>
            <tr style="border-top:solid thin">
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>H</sub> <sup>a</sup> (<italic>J</italic> in Hz)</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>H</sub> <sup>b</sup> (<italic>J</italic> in Hz)</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>C</sub> <sup>c</sup></th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>H</sub> <sup>d</sup> (<italic>J</italic> in Hz)</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>C</sub> <sup>e</sup></th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>H</sub> <sup>f</sup> (<italic>J</italic> in Hz)</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">δ<sub>C</sub> <sup>g</sup></th>
            </tr>
          </thead>
          <tbody>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.10 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.09 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">34.9 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.90 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23.0 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.88 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23.3 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.11 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.09 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.32 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.32 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.80 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.87 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">32.5 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.69 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">29.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.71 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">30.0 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.39 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.41 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.75 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.75 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.44 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.57 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">72.2 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.09 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">65.8 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.03 brs</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">66.1 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.28 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 2.28 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">43.1 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 2.20 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">36.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 2.17 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">37.2 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.26 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.40 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.36 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">5</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">137.2 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">125.8 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">124.7 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">5.62 d (5.2)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">5.63 d (5.2)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">126.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.83 brs</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">68.6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.31 brs</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">78.1</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">7</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.60 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.65 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">31.7</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.31 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">36.5 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.07 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">30.8 </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.32 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.23 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.82 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.98 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">8</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.13 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.08 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">30.0 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.50 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23.0</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.48 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">33.4</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">9</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.02 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.02 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">52.1 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.49 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">46.5</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.45 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">46.4</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">10</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">41.1 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">135.4</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">135.6</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">11</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.58 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.50 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22.8 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.84 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">25.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.82 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">25.2</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.58 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.24 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.22 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">12</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.14 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.12 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">42.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.23 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">40.2</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.21 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">40.2</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.00 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.00 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.03 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 2.02 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">13</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">43.3 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">43.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">43.1</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">14</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.82 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.83 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">63.3 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">54.8</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.13 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">54.9</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">15</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.14 td </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.18 td </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">70.5 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.61 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23.6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.62 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23.6</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">(5.6, 2.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">(5.6, 2.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.13 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">16</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 2.39 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 2.43 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">42.1 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.88 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">28.3</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">α: 1.88 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">28.3</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.34 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.33 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.30 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">β: 1.30 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">17</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.10 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.09 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">57.6 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.17 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">56.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">56.2</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">18</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.97 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.97 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">15.1 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.71 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">12.2</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.70 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">12.2</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">19</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.02 d (12.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.02 d (12.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">65.6 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.53 d (12.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.47 d (12.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">20</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.55 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.54 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">36.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.43 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">35.7</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.44 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">34.7</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">21</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.97 d (6.4)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.96 d (6.4)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">19.3 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.95 d (6.8)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">18.6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.95 d (6.5)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">18.6</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.15 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">35.9 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">34.6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.16 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">34.7</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.58 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.54 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.55 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.56 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">23</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.92 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.89 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">32.0 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.88 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">30.9</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.88 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">30.9</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.11 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.08 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.10 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.11 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">24</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">157.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">156.8</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">156.9</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">25</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.22 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.22 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">34.9 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.22 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">33.8</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.24 m</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">33.8</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">26</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.02 d (6.4)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (6.8)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22.3</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (6.8)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22.0</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (7.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22.0</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">27</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (6.4)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (6.8)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">22.4</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.02 d (6.8)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">21.9</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.03 d (7.0)</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">21.9</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">28</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.72 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.72 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">106.9</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.72 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">105.6</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.72 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">105.6</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.66 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.66 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.66 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">4.66 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">OAc</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.04 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">2.06 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">21.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"/>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">172.7</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">OMe</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle"> </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.34 s</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">57.0</td>
            </tr>
          </tbody>
        </table>
		<table-wrap-foot><fn>
		<p><sup>a</sup> Spectra were measured in CD<sub>3</sub>OD (400 MHz); <sup>b</sup> Spectra were measured in CDCl<sub>3</sub> (400 MHz); <sup>c</sup> Spectra were measured in CD<sub>3</sub>OD (100 MHz); <sup>d</sup> Spectra were measured in CDCl<sub>3</sub> (400 MHz); <sup>e</sup> Spectra were measured in CDCl<sub>3</sub> (100 MHz); <sup>f</sup> Spectra were measured in CDCl<sub>3</sub> (500 MHz); <sup>g</sup> Spectra were measured in CDCl<sub>3</sub> (125 MHz).</p>
		</fn></table-wrap-foot>
		</table-wrap>
      
	  <fig id="marinedrugs-11-00571-f003" position="float">
        <label>Figure 3</label>
        <caption>
          <p>COSY and HMBC correlations of compounds <bold>1</bold> and <bold>2</bold>.</p>
        </caption>
        <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="marinedrugs-11-00571-g003.tif"/>
      </fig>
      <fig id="marinedrugs-11-00571-f004" position="float">
        <label>Figure 4</label>
        <caption>
          <p>NOESY correlations of compound <bold>1</bold>.</p>
        </caption>
        <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="marinedrugs-11-00571-g004.tif"/>
      </fig>
      
      <p>Nebrosteroid R (<bold>2</bold>) was isolated as a white amorphous powder. HRESIMS of <bold>2</bold> exhibited a pseudo molecular ion peak at <italic>m</italic>/<italic>z</italic> 423.3241 [M + Na]<sup>+</sup> (calcd for 423.3239) and established a molecular formula of C<sub>27</sub>H<sub>44</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, indicating six degrees of unsaturation. The <sup>13</sup>C NMR (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>) displayed 27 carbon signals, which were identified by the assistance of the DEPT spectrum as four methyls, eleven methylenes, eight methines, and four quaternary carbons. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR signal [δ<sub>H</sub> 4.09 (m, 1H), 3.83 (brs, 1H)] (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>) and IR absorption at 3423 cm<sup>−1</sup>, together with the observation of two oxygen-bearing carbon resonances (δ<sub>C</sub> 65.8 and 68.6) in the <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectrum, revealed the presence of two hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, one tetrasubstituted double bond (δ<sub>C</sub> 125.8 and 135.4), and one terminal double bond (δ<sub>C</sub> 105.6 and 156.8) were assigned from <sup>13</sup>C NMR and DEPT spectra of <bold>2</bold>. The above functionalities accounted for two of the six degrees of unsaturation, suggesting a tetracyclic skeleton for <bold>2</bold>. Interpretation of the <sup>1</sup>H-<sup>1</sup>H COSY spectrum led to partial structures III and IV (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f003">Figure 3</xref>). The connectivities of these partial structures were further established by the HMBC correlations (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f003">Figure 3</xref>). Moreover, the COSY correlations from H<sub>2</sub>-1 to H-3 through H<sub>2</sub>-2 and from H-8 to H-6 through H<sub>2</sub>-7 led to the assignment of the secondary hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-6. The location of the tetrasubstituted double bond at C-5/C-10 was clarified by analysis of the HMBC correlations from H<sub>2</sub>-6 to C-10, H<sub>2</sub>-2 to C-10, H-11 to C-10, and H-6 to C-5. The NOESY correlations (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-f005">Figure 5</xref>) observed between H-3 and H-2α, H-3 and H-4α, H-4α and H-6α, H-6α and H-7α, H-7α and H-9, H-7β and H-8 indicated the β-orientations of the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-6. Moreover, the NOESY correlations observed between H-2β and H-1β, H-4α and H-6α, H-6α and H-7α, H-7α and H-9, H-7β and H-8, H-9 and H-14, H-11β and H-8, H-12β and Me-18, Me-18 and H-20, and Me-21 and H-12β in <bold>2</bold> confirmed the relative configurations for each ring junction and chiral center. Thus, the structure of <bold>2</bold> was established unambiguously.</p>
      <fig id="marinedrugs-11-00571-f005" position="float">
        <label>Figure 5</label>
        <caption>
          <p>NOESY correlations of compound <bold>2</bold>.</p>
        </caption>
        <graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="marinedrugs-11-00571-g005.tif"/>
      </fig>
      <p>Nebrosteroid R (<bold>3</bold>) was isolated as a white amorphous powder. HRESIMS of <bold>3</bold> exhibited a pseudo molecular ion peak at <italic>m</italic>/<italic>z</italic> 437.3398 [M + Na]<sup>+</sup> (calcd for 437.3395) and established a molecular formula of C<sub>28</sub>H<sub>46</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, indicating six degrees of unsaturation. The <sup>13</sup>C NMR (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>) displayed 28 carbon signals, which were identified with the assistance of the DEPT spectrum as five methyls, eleven methylenes, eight methines, and four quaternary carbons. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR signal [δ<sub>H</sub> 4.03 m (m, 1H)] (<xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>) and IR absorption at 3445 cm<sup>−1</sup>, together with the observation of one oxygen-bearing carbon resonance (δ<sub>C</sub> 66.1) in the <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectrum, revealed the presence of a secondary hydroxyl group. The <sup>1</sup>H NMR signal [δ<sub>H</sub> 3.31 (brs, 1H), 3.34 (s, 3H)] together with the observation of two oxygen-bearing carbon resonances (δ<sub>C</sub> 57.0 and 78.1 in the <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectrum, revealed the presence of a secondary methoxyl group. Furthermore, one tetrasubstituted double bond (δ<sub>C</sub> 124.7 and 135.6), and one terminal double bond (δ<sub>C</sub> 105.6 and 156.9) were assigned from <sup>13</sup>C NMR and DEPT spectra of <bold>3</bold>. The above functionalities accounted for two of the six degrees of unsaturation, suggesting a tetracyclic skeleton for <bold>3</bold>. Interpretation of the <sup>1</sup>H-<sup>1</sup>H COSY spectrum led to two similar partial structures as <bold>2</bold>. The connectivities of these partial structures were further established by HMBC correlations as <bold>2</bold>. Moreover, the COSY correlations from H<sub>2</sub>-1 to H-3 through H<sub>2</sub>-2 and from H-8 to H-6 through H<sub>2</sub>-7 as well as HMBC correlations from 6-OMe to H-6 led to the assignment of the secondary hydroxyl group at C-3 and the secondary methoxyl group at C-6. The location of the tetrasubstituted double bond at C-5/C-10 was clarified by analysis of the HMBC correlations from H<sub>2</sub>-6 to C-10, H<sub>2</sub>-2 to C-10, H-11 to C-10, and H-7 to C-5. The NOESY correlations observed between H-3 and H-2α, H-3 and H-4α, H-4α and H-6α, H-6α and H-7α, H-7α and H-9, H-7β and H-8 indicated the β-orientation of the hydroxyl group at C-3 and β-orientation of methoxyl group at C-6. Moreover, the NOESY correlations observed between H-2β and H-1β, H-4α and H-6α, H-6α and H-7α, H-7α and H-9, H-7β and H-8, H-9 and H-14, H-11β and H-12β, H-12β and Me-18, Me-18 and H-20, and Me-21 and H-12β in <bold>3</bold> confirmed the relative configurations for each ring junction and chiral center. Thus, the structure of <bold>3</bold> was established unambiguously. </p>
      <p>Nebrosteroids Q–S (<bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>) were evaluated for cytotoxicity against P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), and A-549 (human lung epithelial carcinoma) tumor cells and the results are shown in <xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t002">Table 2</xref>. Nebrosteroids Q–S (<bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>) exhibited cytotoxicity against P-388 cell line with ED<sub>50</sub> of 1.1, 1.2, and 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. Nebrosteroids Q–S (<bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>) were also examined for antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) using a human embryonic lung (HEL) cell line. None was found to have anti-HCMV activity.</p>
      <table-wrap id="marinedrugs-11-00571-t002" position="float">
        <object-id pub-id-type="pii">marinedrugs-11-00571-t002_Table 2</object-id>
        <label>Table 2</label>
        <caption>
          <p>Cytotoxicity and anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activities of <bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>.</p>
        </caption>
        <table>
          <thead>
            <tr>
              <th rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">Compounds</th>
              <th colspan="4" align="center" valign="middle">ED<sub>50</sub> (μg/mL)</th>
              <th rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle">Anti-HCMV (IC<sub>50</sub>; μg/mL)</th>
            </tr>
            <tr style="border-top:solid thin">
              <th align="center" valign="middle">A549</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">HT-29</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">P-388</th>
              <th align="center" valign="middle">HEL</th>
            </tr>
          </thead>
          <tbody>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">
                <bold>1</bold>
              </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">6.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">8.0</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.1</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">
                <bold>2</bold>
              </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">11.4</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">20.9 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.2</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">
                <bold>3</bold>
              </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">8.7 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">15.3 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">1.0 </td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">&gt;100</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">Mithramycin</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.18</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.21</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">0.15</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">Ganciclovir</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">NT</td>
              <td align="center" valign="middle">3.3</td>
            </tr>
          </tbody>
        </table>
		</table-wrap>
    </sec>
    <sec>
      <title>3. Experimental Section</title>
      <sec sec-type="methods">
        <title>3.1. General Experimental Procedures</title>
        <p>Optical rotations were determined with a JASCO P1020 digital polarimeter. UV and IR spectra were obtained on JASCO V-650 and JASCO FT/IR-4100 spectrophotometers, respectively. NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian MR 400 NMR spectrometer at 400 MHz for <sup>1</sup>H and 100 MHz for <sup>13</sup>C or on a Varian Unity INOVA 500 FT-NMR spectrometer at 500 MHz for <sup>1</sup>H and 125 MHz for <sup>13</sup>C, respectively. <sup>1</sup>H NMR chemical shifts are expressed in δ referring to the solvent peak δ<sub>H</sub> 3.30 for CD<sub>3</sub>OD or δ<sub>H</sub> 7.27 for CDCl<sub>3</sub>, and coupling constants are expressed in Hz. <sup>13</sup>C NMR chemical shifts are expressed in δ referring to the solvent peak δ<sub>H</sub> 49.0 for CD<sub>3</sub>OD or δ<sub>C</sub> 77.0 for CDCl<sub>3</sub>. MS were recorded by a Bruker APEX II mass spectrometer. Silica gel 60 (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, 230–400 mesh) and LiChroprep RP-18 (Merck, 40–63 μm) were used for column chromatography. Precoated silica gel plates (Merck, Kieselgel 60 F<sub>254</sub>, 0.25 mm) and precoated RP-18 F<sub>254s</sub> plates (Merck) were used for thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was carried out using a Hitachi L-7100 pump equipped with a Hitachi L-7400 UV detector at 220 nm together with a preparative reversed-phase column (Merck, Hibar LiChrospher RP-18e, 5 μm, 250 × 25 mm).</p>
      </sec>
      <sec>
        <title>3.2. Biological Material</title>
        <p>The soft coral <italic>N. chabrolii</italic> was collected by hand using scuba off the San-Hsian-Tai coast, Taitong County, Taiwan, in July 2009 at a depth of 6 m and stored in a freezer until extraction. The voucher specimen (SST-32) was identified by Prof. Chang-Feng Dai, National Taiwan University and deposited at the Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan.</p>
      </sec>
      <sec>
        <title>3.3. Extraction and Isolation</title>
        <p>A specimen of soft coral <italic>N. chabrolii</italic> (2.2 kg) was minced and extracted with acetone (3 × 4 L) at room temperature. The combined acetone extracts were then partitioned between H<sub>2</sub>O and EtOAc. The resulting EtOAc extract (24.6 g) was subjected to gravity silica gel 60 column chromatography (Si 60 CC) using <italic>n</italic>-hexane and <italic>n</italic>-hexane/EtOAc of increasing polarity, to give 22 fractions. The fraction 12 (0.84 g), eluted with <italic>n</italic>-hexane/EtOAc (1:10), was further subjected to Si 60 CC (<italic>n</italic>-hexane/EtOAc, 10:1 to 100% EtOAc) to give six subfractions. A subfraction 12-2 (299 mg), was separated by a RP-18 flash column (MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O, 50:50 to 100% MeOH) to give eight fractions. The subfraction 12-2-6, eluted with MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O (90:10), was purified by RP-18 HPLC (MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O, 95:5) to afford <bold>1</bold> (2.5 mg). The fraction 13 (0.69 g), eluted with EtOAc, was further subjected to Si 60 CC (<italic>n</italic>-hexane/EtOAc, 50:1 to 100% EtOAc) to give four subfractions. The subfraction 13-3 (299 mg), was separated by a RP-18 flash column (MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O, 45:55 to 100% MeOH) to give three fractions. In turn, a subfraction 13-3-3, eluted with MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O (90:10), was further purified by RP-18 HPLC (MeOH/H<sub>2</sub>O, 95:5) to afford <bold>2</bold> (3.0 mg) and <bold>3</bold> (1.0 mg).</p>
        <p>Nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>): White amorphous powder; mp 176–177 °C [α]<sub>D</sub><sup>25</sup> −17.0 (<italic>c</italic> 0.1, CHCl<sub>3</sub>); IR (neat) ν<sub>max</sub> 3375, 2926, 2853, 1737, 1640, 1593, 1363, 1240, 1039, 889 cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>; <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CD<sub>3</sub>OD, 400 MHz) and <sup>13</sup>C NMR (CD<sub>3</sub>OD, 100 MHz) data in <xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>; HRESIMS <italic>m</italic>/<italic>z</italic> 495.3447 [M + Na]<sup>+</sup> (calcd for C<sub>30</sub>H<sub>48</sub>O<sub>4</sub>Na, 495.3450).</p>
        <p>Nebrosteroid R (<bold>2</bold>): White amorphous powder; mp 168–167 °C; [α]<sub>D</sub><sup>25</sup> +30.4 (<italic>c</italic> 0.1, CHCl<sub>3</sub>); IR (neat) ν<sub>max</sub> 3423, 2926, 2853, 1640, 1596, 1458, 1378, 1042, 886 cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>; <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, 400 MHz) and <sup>13</sup>C NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, 100 MHz) data in <xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>; HRESIMS <italic>m</italic>/<italic>z</italic> 423.3241 [M + Na]<sup>+</sup> (calcd for C<sub>27</sub>H<sub>44</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Na, 423.3239).</p>
        <p>Nebrosteroid S (<bold>3</bold>): White amorphous powder; mp 155–156 °C; [α]<sub>D</sub><sup>25</sup> +35.7 (<italic>c</italic> 0.1, CHCl<sub>3</sub>); IR (neat) ν<sub>max</sub> 3445, 2922, 2851, 1640, 1456, 1380, 1081 cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>; <sup>1</sup>H NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, 500 MHz) and <sup>13</sup>C NMR (CDCl<sub>3</sub>, 125 MHz) data in <xref ref-type="table" rid="marinedrugs-11-00571-t001">Table 1</xref>; HRESIMS <italic>m</italic>/<italic>z</italic> 437.3398 [M + Na]<sup>+</sup> (calcd for C<sub>28</sub>H<sub>46</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Na, 437.3395).</p>
      </sec>
      <sec>
        <title>3.4. Cytotoxicity Assay</title>
        <p>Cytotoxicity was determined on P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), and A-549 (human lung epithelial carcinoma) tumor cells using a modification of the MTT colorimetric method according to a previously described procedure [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B27-marinedrugs-11-00571">27</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B28-marinedrugs-11-00571">28</xref>]. The provision of the P-388 cell line was supported by J. M. Pezzuto, formerly of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago. HT-29 and A-549 cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection. To measure the cytotoxic activities of tested compounds, five concentrations (50, 10, 2, 0.4, 0.08 μg/mL) with three replications were performed on each cell line. Mithramycin was used as a positive control.</p>
      </sec>
      <sec>
        <title>3.5. Anti-HCMV Assay</title>
        <p>To determine the effects of natural products upon HCMV cytopathic effect (CPE), confluent human embryonic lung (HEL) cells grown in 24-well plates were incubated for 1 h in the presence or absence of various concentrations of tested natural products with three replications. Ganciclovir was used as a positive control. Then, cells were infected with HCMV at an input of 1000 pfu (plaque forming units) per well of a 24-well dish. Antiviral activity was expressed as IC<sub>50</sub> (50% inhibitory concentration), or compound concentration required to reduce virus induced CPE by 50% after seven days as compared with the untreated control. To monitor the cell growth upon treating with natural products, an MTT-colorimetric assay was employed [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B29-marinedrugs-11-00571">29</xref>].</p>
      </sec>
    </sec>
    <sec>
      <title>4. Conclusion</title>
      <p>This investigation of soft coral <italic>N. chabrolii</italic> collected at San-Hsian-Tai (Taitong County, Taiwan) has led to the isolation of a new cytotoxic 19-oxygenated steroid, nebrosteroid Q (<bold>1</bold>) and two new cytotoxic norergosterols, nebrosteroids R and S (<bold>2</bold> and <bold>3</bold>). Nebrosteroids Q–S (<bold>1</bold>–<bold>3</bold>) exhibited cytotoxicity against P-388 cell line with ED<sub>50</sub> of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. However, previously isolated cholestene derivatives, nebrosteroids I–K [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B12-marinedrugs-11-00571">12</xref>] did not show cytotoxicity. In order to rule out the possibility of <bold>3</bold> being an isolation artifact, a solution of <bold>2</bold> was kept at room temperature for three days in the presence of Si-60 or RP-18 gel in MeOH. However, the formation of <bold>3</bold> was not observed.</p>
    </sec>
    
  </body>
  <back>
  <ack>
      <title>Acknowledgments</title>
      <p>This research was financially supported by grants from the National Science Council (NSC99-2628-B-110-002-MY3) and Ministry of Education of Taiwan awarded to C.-Y.D.</p>
    </ack>
	
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	<fn-group>
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 <p><italic>Samples Availability</italic>: Not available.</p>
 </fn>
 </fn-group>
  </back>
</article>
