New Terpenoids from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and Their Anti‐inflammatory Activities

A detailed chemical investigation of the Hainan soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum led to the isolation of three new cembrane‐type diterpenoids (sartrocheliols F−H), one new aromadendrane‐type sesquiterpenoid (sartrocheliol I), a new natural cembranoid, and five known structurally related analogues. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, quantum mechanical nuclear magnetic resonance methods, time‐dependent density functional theory‐electronic circular dichroism calculations, as well as comparison with literature data. A plausible biogenetic pathway connecting the isolated compounds was proposed. In bioassay, spathulenol ( 9 ) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide‐induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.