Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer

Wang, Yi-Chen; Tai, Shun-Ban; Yang, Jenq-Lin; Liu, Pei-Feng; Sung, Ping-Jyun; Su, Jui-Hsin; Chen, Chun-Lin

doi:10.3390/ijms262311280

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Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer

by

Yi-Chen Wang

^1,2,3,†,

Shun-Ban Tai

^4,5,†,

Jenq-Lin Yang

⁶

,

Pei-Feng Liu

⁷,

Ping-Jyun Sung

⁸

,

Jui-Hsin Su

^8,9,* and

Chun-Lin Chen

^10,11,12,*

¹

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 802301, Taiwan

²

Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

³

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical University, Taipei 100050, Taiwan

⁴

Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81342, Taiwan

⁵

Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

⁶

Institute for Translational Research in Biomedicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan

⁷

Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan

⁸

National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung 94450, Taiwan

⁹

Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung 974301, Taiwan

¹⁰

Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

¹¹

Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

¹²

Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan

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^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311280

Submission received: 24 September 2025 / Revised: 12 November 2025 / Accepted: 15 November 2025 / Published: 21 November 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Molecules from Food or Other Natural Sources Against Cancer: 2nd Edition)

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Abstract

Cembrane-type diterpenoids (cembranoids), natural compounds derived from soft coral Sclerophytum flexibile, exhibit diverse biological activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-viral effects. Our previous research demonstrated that Sinulariolide, a member of this group, effectively inhibits TGF-β-induced IL-6 secretion, thereby suppressing inflammation-associated cancer development. Building on these findings, the present study employs a structure-activity relationship (SAR) approach to compare the anti-inflammatory properties of various cembranoids extracted from cultured soft coral Sclerophytum flexibile—a sustainable and environmentally friendly source that offers a consistent supply for research and therapeutic development. By isolating multiple cembrane-type analogs and analyzing their structural differences, we identified key chemical features that enhance their ability to interfere with TGF-β signaling and subsequent IL-6 production. The SAR analysis revealed distinct variations in anti-inflammatory efficacy among the tested compounds, pinpointing structural motifs crucial for inhibiting TGF-β-induced IL-6 secretion. These insights deepen our understanding of the molecular basis behind the anti-inflammatory action of cembranoids and guide the optimization of these compounds for potential therapeutic use.

Keywords: cembranoids; TGF-β; intracellular trafficking

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, Y.-C.; Tai, S.-B.; Yang, J.-L.; Liu, P.-F.; Sung, P.-J.; Su, J.-H.; Chen, C.-L. Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 11280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311280

AMA Style

Wang Y-C, Tai S-B, Yang J-L, Liu P-F, Sung P-J, Su J-H, Chen C-L. Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(23):11280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311280

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Yi-Chen, Shun-Ban Tai, Jenq-Lin Yang, Pei-Feng Liu, Ping-Jyun Sung, Jui-Hsin Su, and Chun-Lin Chen. 2025. "Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 23: 11280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311280

APA Style

Wang, Y.-C., Tai, S.-B., Yang, J.-L., Liu, P.-F., Sung, P.-J., Su, J.-H., & Chen, C.-L. (2025). Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(23), 11280. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311280

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Analysis of Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids from Cultured Soft Coral Sclerophytum flexibile for Inhibition of TGF-β-Induced IL-6 Secretion in Inflammation-Associated Cancer

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