Nor-24-homoscalaranes, Neutrophilic Inflammatory Mediators from the Marine Sponge Lendenfeldia sp.

The marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp., collected from the Southern waters of Taiwan, was subjected to chemical composition screening, resulting in the isolation of four new 24-homoscalarane compounds, namely lendenfeldaranes R–U (1–4). The structures and relative stereochemistry of the new metabolites 1–4 were assigned based on NMR studies. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–4 were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental values of specific optical rotation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were assayed using superoxide anion generation and elastase release assays. These assays are used to determine neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation. Compounds 2 and 4 inhibited superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB) with IC50: 3.98–4.46 μM. Compounds 2 and 4 inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release, with IC50 values ranging from 4.73 to 5.24 μM. These findings suggested that these new 24-homoscalarane compounds possess unique structures and potential anti-inflammatory activity.


Introduction
Marine sponges belonging to the genus Lendenfeldia (phylum Porifera, class Demospongia, subclass Keratosa, order Dictyoceratida, family Thorectidae) are widely distributed in the flat reefs of the Asia-Pacific region.These sponges can also be found in aquarium tanks and are considered pests as they can proliferate in aquacultures even under standard conditions [1].Previous research on Lendenfeldia sponges revealed a rich diversity of secondary metabolites, with sesterterpenoids being particularly prominent [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].These sesterterpenoids exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including cytotoxicity , anti-inflammatory properties [5,7,18,[32][33][34][35][36], anti-HIV effects [3,37], antimicrobial [15,16,22,[38][39][40][41] and anti-neurofibroma activity [42].Anti-neutrophil inflammatory agents refer to substances that aim to reduce or inhibit the inflammatory response mediated by neutrophils.Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that are essential to the immune response.They play a crucial role in the initial response to infection and tissue injury [43].While neutrophils are important for combating pathogens and promoting tissue repair, their excessive or prolonged activation can lead to harmful inflammation and tissue damage.Therefore, targeting neutrophil-mediated inflammation is an area of interest in various inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [44].In our two previous reports, we isolated a series of scalarane-type sesterterpenoids from the marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. and tested their anti-inflammatory activity against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively.The results indicated that the potent activity of this class of compounds could lead to their further development as anti-neutrophilic agents [5,7].In our ongoing investigation, aiming to discover new metabolites from Lendenfeldia sp., we identified four novel 24-homoscalarane-type sesterterpenoids named lendenfeldaranes R-U (1-4) (Figure 1).The determination of the structures of compounds 1-4 involved a thorough analysis of their Infrared (IR), Specific Optical Rotation (SOR), Mass (MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra.Moreover, their NMR data were compared with those of known compounds with structural similarities.To establish the absolute configuration of compounds 1-4, we compared the experimental optical rotation with the calculated optical rotation spectra.Additionally, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds by assessing their ability to inhibit superoxide anion generation and elastase release in N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced human neutrophils.

Introduction
Marine sponges belonging to the genus Lendenfeldia (phylum Porifera, class Demospongia, subclass Keratosa, order Dictyoceratida, family Thorectidae) are widely distributed in the flat reefs of the Asia-Pacific region.These sponges can also be found in aquarium tanks and are considered pests as they can proliferate in aquacultures even under standard conditions [1].Previous research on Lendenfeldia sponges revealed a rich diversity of secondary metabolites, with sesterterpenoids being particularly prominent [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].These sesterterpenoids exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including cytotoxicity , anti-inflammatory properties [5,7,18,[32][33][34][35][36], anti-HIV effects [3,37], anti-microbial [15,16,22,[38][39][40][41] and anti-neurofibroma activity [42].Anti-neutrophil inflammatory agents refer to substances that aim to reduce or inhibit the inflammatory response mediated by neutrophils.Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that are essential to the immune response.They play a crucial role in the initial response to infection and tissue injury [43].While neutrophils are important for combating pathogens and promoting tissue repair, their excessive or prolonged activation can lead to harmful inflammation and tissue damage.Therefore, targeting neutrophil-mediated inflammation is an area of interest in various inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [44].In our two previous reports, we isolated a series of scalarane-type sesterterpenoids from the marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. and tested their anti-inflammatory activity against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively.The results indicated that the potent activity of this class of compounds could lead to their further development as anti-neutrophilic agents [5,7].In our ongoing investigation, aiming to discover new metabolites from Lendenfeldia sp., we identified four novel 24-homoscalarane-type sesterterpenoids named lendenfeldaranes R-U (1-4) (Figure 1).The determination of the structures of compounds 1-4 involved a thorough analysis of their Infrared (IR), Specific Optical Rotation (SOR), Mass (MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra.Moreover, their NMR data were compared with those of known compounds with structural similarities.To establish the absolute configuration of compounds 1-4, we compared the experimental optical rotation with the calculated optical rotation spectra.Additionally, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds by assessing their ability to inhibit superoxide anion generation and elastase release in N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLF/CB)-induced human neutrophils.

Results and Discussion
Compound 1 was obtained as a white powder, and its molecular formula was determined as C27H42O5 based on the presence of a sodium adduct at m/z 469.29256 in HRESIMS (calculated for C27H42O5 + Na, 469.29245) and 13 C NMR data (Table 1).The IR spectrum of 1 exhibited characteristic peaks indicating the presence of ketone carbonyl (νmax 1703 cm −1 ),
Compound 3 was acquired in the form of a white powder, and its molecular formula was determined as C27H42O6 based on the HRESIMS signal at m/z 485.28737 [M + Na] + (calculated for C27H42O6 + Na, 485.28736) and 13 C data suggesting the presence of seven degrees of unsaturation.The IR spectrum of 3 exhibited prominent peaks at νmax 3459, Compound 2 was discovered to have the molecular formula C25H38O4, which was determined from a (+)-HRESIMS signal at m/z 425.26645 (calculated for C25H38O4+Na, 425.26623) and 13 C data indicating the presence of seven unsaturated degrees.The IR spectrum of 2 showed absorption peaks for carbonyl groups (νmax 1707 cm −1 and 1676 cm −1 ) and a hydroxy group (νmax 3417 cm −1 ).Analyzing the 1D NMR data (Table 2), it was found that compound 2 was similar to felixin B (6) [46], with the main difference being the presence of a functional group at C-12.In compound 2, the chemical shift of H-12 (δH 3.98, 1H, br s) was shifted downfield compared to its counterpart in felixin B (6) (δH 4.97, 1H, dd, J = 2.8, 2.8 Hz).The absence of acetoxy signals suggested that felixin B (6) was the 12-acetyl derivative of compound 2. Further confirmation of the planar structure of compound 2 was obtained through the interpretation of 2D NMR spectroscopic data (Figure 2).The correlations observed among the chiral centers in the core rings A-D of 2 were identical to those observed in 1.In the NOESY experiment of 2 (Figure 3), the α-orientation of the hydroxy group at C-12 was determined based on the NOESY correlation between H-12 and H3-23.As a result, the configurations of the stereogenic carbons in 2 were established as (5S*,8R*,9S*,10R*,12S*, 13R*,14S*).The SOR was employed to determine the absolute configuration of 2. The calculated SOR values for 2-5S,8R,9S,10R,12S,13R,14S and 2-5R,8S,9R,10S,12R,13S,14R were positive (78) and negative (−78), respectively (Table 2).The experimental SOR data of 2 (positive) matched with the configuration 2-5S,8R,9S,10R,12S,13R,14S.Based on the aforementioned analyses, the structure of 2 was successfully determined, leading to its identification and designation as lendenfeldarane S.
Compound 3 was acquired in the form of a white powder, and its molecular formula was determined as C27H42O6 based on the HRESIMS signal at m/z 485.28737 [M + Na] + (calculated for C27H42O6 + Na, 485.28736) and 13 C data suggesting the presence of seven degrees of unsaturation.The IR spectrum of 3 exhibited prominent peaks at νmax 3459, ) of relative structures of 1-4.
Compound 3 was acquired in the form of a white powder, and its molecular formula was determined as C 27 H 42 O 6 based on the HRESIMS signal at m/z 485.28737 [M + Na] + (calculated for C 27 H 42 O 6 + Na, 485.28736) and 13 C data suggesting the presence of seven degrees of unsaturation.The IR spectrum of 3 exhibited prominent peaks at ν max 3459, 1727, and 1666, indicating the presence of hydroxy, ester, and α,β-unsaturated ketone groups, respectively.Analysis of the 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopic data (Table 3) revealed the presence of an acetoxy group (δ H 2.03, 3H, s; δ C 170.8, C; 21.3, CH 3 ) and a ketonic carbonyl group (δ C 199.3) within compound 3.Moreover, the 13 C resonances at δ C 133.6 (C) and 155.7 (CH) suggested the existence of a trisubstituted olefin, accounting for three degrees of unsaturation.Compound 3 was identified as an analog of tetracyclic sesterterpenoid.The NMR data resembled those of felixin C ( 7) [46].The chemical shift of H-16 in felixin C (7) (δ H 4.55, d, J = 4.8 Hz) was shifted downfield in 3 (δ H 4.91, dd, J = 4.0, 1.6 Hz), with an additional signal for a hydroxyperoxide group (δ H 9.27, 1H, s).The presence of a hydroperoxide group substitution at position 16 was deduced from the HMBC cross-peak (Figure 2) between H-16 and C-14, C-17, C-18, and from H-14 to C-16, as well as from the COSY correlation between H-15, H-14, and H-16.Additionally, comparing the 13 C NMR data with those of 1 and 4, the C-16 carbon resonating at δ C 77.2 in 3 was more downfield than δ C 70.9 in 1 and δ C 68.1 in 4, revealing that the hydroxyperoxide group was located at C-16 position.Further insights into the structure of 3 were obtained through the NOESY experiment (Figure 3).The observed correlations provided valuable information regarding the configurations of the chiral centers in the core rings A-C of 3, which were found to be identical to those observed in 1. Notably, H 3 -23 showed NOE correlations with H 3 -21 and H-12, indicating the β-orientation of H-12.Additionally, H-14 displayed NOE correlations with H-9 and H-16, indicating the β-orientation of the hydroperoxide group at C-16.To determine the absolute configuration of 3, a comparison was made between its experimental optical rotation and the corresponding SOR value.The calculated SOR values for 3-5S,8R,9S,10R,12S,13R,14S,16S and 3-5R,8S,9R,10S,12R,13S,14R,16R were positive (15) and negative (−15), respectively (Table 2).The experimental SOR data of 3 (positive) matched with the configuration 3-5S,8R,9S,10R,12S,13R,14S,16S.Based on the aforementioned results, the structure of 3 was determined and assigned the name lendenfeldarane T.
Compound 4 was obtained in the form of an unstructured fine powder.Its molecular formula was determined to be C 27 H 42 O 5 based on the (+)-HRESIMS pseudo-molecular ion peak at m/z 469.29221 (calculated for C 27 H 42 O 5 +Na, 469.29245) and 13 C data, which indicated the presence of seven degrees of unsaturation.The IR spectrum of 4 exhibited absorption bands corresponding to hydroxy groups (maximum absorption at 3486 cm −1 ), ester carbonyl groups (maximum absorption at 1726 cm −1 ), and α,β-unsaturated ketone groups (maximum absorption at 1655 cm −1 ).The structure of 4 was determined through the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data (refer to Table 3).Based on these findings, it was observed that the overall structure of 4 closely resembled that of felixin B (7) [46].The 13 C and 1 H NMR data of 4 were similar to those of compound 7, except for carbon resonances at C-16 and C-17, which appeared at δ C 63.3 (CH) and 138.2 (C) in compound 7 and at δ C 68.1 (CH) and 134.2 (C) in 4, indicating that 4 was the 16S isomer of compound 7. Analysis of the NOESY spectra (refer to Figure 3) revealed a cross-peak from H-14 to H-16, indicating an α-orientation of H-16 in 4. According to the above data, the structure of 4 was determined, and the compound was named lendenfeldarane U.
N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) can stimulate neutrophils, leading to the initiation of inflammatory responses such as the generation of O 2 •− (respiratory burst) and the release of elastase (degranulation) [7].To evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of nor-24-homoscalaranes, all the isolated compounds were tested on fMLF-induced human neutrophils, and the findings are summarized in Table 4.As a positive control, LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, was employed, given the established role of PI3K in regulating neutrophil respiratory burst and/or degranulation [47,48].Compounds 2 and 4 demonstrated significant activity against both O 2 •− accumulation (IC 50 = 3.98-4.46µM) and elastase release (IC 50 = 4.73-5.24µM).On the other hand, compounds 1 and 3 were inactive at a concentration of 10 µM.These results emphasized the importance of the conjugated functionality at C-17-18-24 for anti-inflammatory activity, while the substitution of the peroxyl group at C-16 may diminish this effect.

Animal Material and Isolation of Compounds
The Lendenfeldia sp.specimen was obtained by scuba diving off the coast of Southern Taiwan in April 2019.At the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, Taiwan, a specimen with a voucher number (specimen No. 2019-04-SP) was deposited.Lendenfeldia sp. was taxonomically identified by Prof. Yusheng M. Huang from the National Penghu University of Science and Technology, Taiwan.Lendenfeldia sp. was collected (2.9 kg) and freeze-dried.The freeze-dried material (213 g, dry weight) was minced and an extract was prepared using a 1:1 mixture of CH 2 Cl 2 :MeOH (1 L × 6).The resulting extract underwent liquid-liquid partitioning between EtOAc and H 2 O.The obtained EtOAc layer (7.9 g) was further subjected to normal-phase column chromatography.Elution was carried out using a gradient solvent system comprising n-hexane, followed by increasing polarity mixtures of n-hexane and EtOAc, pure acetone, and finally pure methanol as eluting solvents.This process resulted in the production of 14 sub-fractions labeled A-N.Sub-fraction H underwent reversed-phase chromatography on C 18 silica gel, eluted with a MeOH:H 2 O mixture (50% MeOH to pure MeOH), and yielded six additional sub-fractions, H1-H6.Sub-fraction H5 then underwent RP-HPLC using an isocratic solvent system of MeOH:H 2 O (8:2), resulting in the isolation of compound 2 (1.3 mg).Fraction I was purified using NP-HPLC using a CH 2 Cl 2 :acetone mixture (4:1) as an isocratic solvent system with a flow

In Silico Calculations
To minimize molecular energy, the molecular structures were optimized at the MM2 level, resulting in the generation of a mol file.This mol file was analyzed using the MMFF94 force field in GaussView 6.1 (Gaussian Inc., Wallingford, CT, USA) with the assistance of the GMMX package, which allowed us to explore the conformational search results.The obtained data were imported into Gaussian 16 software (Gaussian Inc., Wallingford, CT, USA).In Gaussian 16, the structures underwent further optimization using the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methodology.The optimization was conducted in the solvent phase using the PCM/mpw1pw91/6-31 g(d,p) levels, enabling GIAO-DFT calculation.In the final step, the computed NMR results were averaged, taking into consideration the proportion of each conformer [49].

Preparation of Human Neutrophils
Blood samples were collected via venipuncture from human donors aged between 20 and 30 years.The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital approved and oversaw the protocol, which was identified as IRB No. 202002493A3.Neutrophil purification was performed using a previously established technique [7].The process involved several steps, including hypotonic lysis, dextran sedimentation, and separation of erythrocytes using a Ficoll Hypaque gradient.Once the human neutrophils were isolated, they were placed in a 50 mL centrifuge tube containing an HBSS buffer solution devoid of calcium (Ca 2+ ) and magnesium (Mg 2+ ).The pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.4, and the viability of the neutrophils was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion method to ensure that more than 98% of the cells remained viable.Subsequently, the neutrophils were examined in HBSS with 1 mM CaCl 2 at a temperature of 37 • C.

Measurement of Superoxide Anion (O 2
•− ) Generation The evaluation of O 2 •− generation involved the utilization of ferricytochrome c and the inhibitory effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on its reduction process [15].After adding ferricytochrome c (0.6 mg/mL), neutrophils at a concentration of 6 × 10 5 cells/mL were equilibrated at 37 • C and incubated for 5 min.Subsequently, the neutrophils were treated with either pure compounds or DMSO (0.1% as a control).To enhance the reaction, cytochalasin B (CB) was introduced at a concentration of 1 µg/mL [7].The activated mixture was then incubated for 3 min after stimulation with 0.1 µM fMLF.The reduction of ferricytochrome c was continuously monitored at 550 nm by measuring absorbance changes using a spectrophotometer (U-3010, Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan).

Measurement of Elastase Release
To evaluate the degranulation of azurophilic granules, an elastase release assay was conducted using MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide as the substrate for elastase [7].Neutrophils (6 × 10 5 cells/mL) were equilibrated at 37 • C after the addition of MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide (100 µM).The cells were then incubated for 5 min before treatment with pure compounds.To enhance the reaction, CB (0.5 g/mL) was added, followed by the introduction of fMLF (0.1 µM) to induce cellular activation.Elastase release was assessed by continuously monitoring changes in absorbance at 405 nm.

Statistics
Statistical calculations were performed using Student's t-test (GraphPad Software 9.0.2,San Diego, CA, USA).A significance level of p < 0.05 was employed to determine statistical significance.

Conclusions
In this study, we identified and characterized four new 24-homoscalarane compounds, lendenfeldaranes R-U (1-4), isolated from Lendenfeldia sp.through comprehensive chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses.The structures, relative stereochemistry, and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined.The in vitro assays demonstrated that compounds possessing C-17-18-24-conjugated functionality exhibited significant inhibitory effects on key inflammatory responses, including the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase in human neutrophils.Our findings showed that Lendenfeldia sp. is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory agents with unique structures that can be further developed into potential drug leads.

Table 1 .
The NMR data for compounds 1 and 2. Spectra recorded at 400 MHz in CDCl 3 ; b spectra recorded at 100 MHz in CDCl 3 ; c spectra recorded at 600 MHz in CDCl 3 ; d spectra recorded at 150 MHz in CDCl 3 ; e J values (in Hz) in parentheses; f attached protons were deduced by the HSQC experiment. a

Table 2 .
The NMR data for compounds 3 and 4. Spectra recorded at 400 MHz in CDCl 3 ; b spectra recorded at 100 MHz in CDCl 3 ; c spectra recorded at 600 MHz in CDCl 3 ; d spectra recorded at 150 MHz in CDCl 3 ; e J values (in Hz) in parentheses; f attached protons were deduced by the HSQC experiment.Compound 2 was discovered to have the molecular formula C 25 H 38 O 4 , which was determined from a (+)-HRESIMS signal at m/z 425.26645 (calculated for C 25 H 38 O 4 +Na, 425.26623) and a

Table 3 .
Experimental and calculated specific optical rotation values of 1-4.