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. 2025 Jan 24;15(1):13. doi: 10.1007/s13659-024-00493-5

Table 6.

In vitro studies of bioactive compounds isolated from marine soft corals between 2019 and2023

Compound name Class of compound Marine source Type of cancer Pharmacological effects Mechanism References
Flaccidenol A (62) Cembrane-derived diterpenoid Klyxum flaccidum Human lung, colorectal carcinoma, and mouse lymphocytic leukemia

Model: A549, DLD-1, P388D1

Assay: MTT

IC50: 9.7 ± 1.2 μg/mL to A549,

6.0 ± 0.4 μg/mL to DLD-1,

7.2 ± 1.8 μg/mL to P388D1

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [60]
7-epi-Pavidolide D (63) Cembrane-derived diterpenoid Klyxum flaccidum Human lung, colorectal carcinoma, and mouse lymphocytic leukemia

Model: A549, DLD-1, P388D1

Assay: MTT

IC50: 28.6 ± 3.8 μg/mL to A549,

31.6 ± 3.7 μg/mL to DLD-1,

30.4 ± 4.8 μg/mL to P388D1

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [60]
Flaccidodioxide (64) Cembrane-derived diterpenoid Klyxum flaccidum Human lung, colorectal carcinoma, and mouse lymphocytic leukemia

Model: A549, DLD-1, P388D1

Assay: MTT

IC50: 19.6 ± 8.3 μg/mL to

P388D1

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [60]
Flaccidodiol (65)/ Cembrane-derived diterpenoid Klyxum flaccidum Human lung, colorectal carcinoma, and mouse lymphocytic leukemia

Model: A549, DLD-1, P388D1

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [60]
Sarcoehrenbergilide D (66) Cembrene diterpenoid Sarcophyton ehrenbergi Human lung carcinoma, colon and hepatic cancer

Model: A549, Caco-2, HepG2

Assay: MTT

IC50: 23.3 mM to A549

PC: not reported

Not reported [61]
Sarcoehrenbergilide E (67) Cembrene diterpenoid Sarcophyton ehrenbergi Human lung carcinoma, colon and hepatic cancer

Model: A549, Caco-2, HepG2

Assay: MTT

IC25: 27.3 mM to A549

22.6 mM to HepG2

PC: not reported

Not reported [61]
Sarcoehrenbergilide F (68) Cembrene diterpenoid Sarcophyton ehrenbergi Human lung carcinoma, colon and hepatic cancer

Model: A549, Caco-2, HepG2

Assay: MTT

IC25: 25.4 mM to A549

31.8 mM to HepG2

PC: not reported

Not reported [61]
Sardigitolide A (69) Biscembranoid Sarcophyton digitatum Breast cancer, breast adenocarcinoma, hepatic and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [62]
Sardigitolide B (70) Biscembranoid Sarcophyton digitatum Breast cancer, breast adenocarcinoma, hepatic and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: 9.6 ± 3.0 µg/mL to MCF-7

14.8 ± 4.0 µg/mL to MDA-MB-231

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [62]
Sardigitolide C (71) Biscembranoid Sarcophyton digitatum Breast cancer, breast adenocarcinoma, hepatic and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [62]
Sardigitolide D (72) Biscembranoid Sarcophyton digitatum Breast cancer, breast adenocarcinoma, hepatic and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [62]
Xeniolide L (73) Xeniolide diterpene Xenia umbellate Human liver, prostate and colon cancer

Model: HepG2, PC‑3, and HT‑29

Assay: SRB

IC50: 36.8 ± 1.1 to HepG2

24.9 ± 1.3 to PC-3

13.9 ± 2.5 μg/mL to HT-29

PC: Doxorubicin

Induction of apoptosis [63]
Xeniolide M (74)/ Xeniolide diterpene Xenia umbellate Human liver, prostate and colon cancer

Model: HepG2, PC‑3, and HT‑29

Assay: SRB

IC50: 14.7 ± 0.4 to HepG2, 10.9 ± 0.5 to PC‑3, 4.7 ± 0.5 μg/mL to HT-29

PC: Doxorubicin

Induction of apoptosis [63]
Linardosinene A (75) Nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Linardosinene B (76) Nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: 59.5 μM to THP-1

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Linardosinene C (77) Nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: 24.3 μM to SNU-398

44.7 μM to HT-29

 > 50 to Capan-1 and A549

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Lineolemnene A (78) Neolemnane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: 44.4 μM to SNU-398

 > 50 to Capan-1, A549 and HT-29

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Lineolemnene B (79) Neolemnane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: 27.6 μM to SNU-398

 > 50 to Capan-1, A549 and HT-29

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Lineolemnene C (80) Neolemnane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Lineolemnene D (81) Neolemnane-type sesquiterpenoid Litophyton nigrum Human lung epithelial, hepatocellular, colon, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer

Model: THP-1, SNU-398, HT-29, Capan-1 and A549

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: Vincristine

Not reported [64]
Sarcotenusene A (82) Cembranoid diterpenoid Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum Breast cancer, human breast adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: 34.3 ± 3.7 µm to MCF-7

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [65]
Sarcotenusene B (83) Cembranoid diterpenoid Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum Breast cancer, human breast adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [65]
Sarcotenusene C (84) Cembranoid diterpenoid Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum Breast cancer, human breast adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and cervical cancer

Model: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HeLa

Assay: MTT

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [65]
Asterolaurin O (85) Xenicane diterpenoid Asterospicularia laurae Oral, breast, and ovarian cancer

Model: MCF-7, Ca9-22, SK-OV-3

Assay: MTS

IC50: 14.7 ± 0.2 µM to MCF-7

 > 100 µM to other cells

PC: Cisplatin

Not reported [66]
Asterolaurin P (86) Xenicane diterpenoid Asterospicularia laurae Oral, breast, and ovarian cancer

Model: MCF-7, Ca9-22, SK-OV-3

Assay: MTS

IC50: 25.1 ± 4.1 µM for to MCF-7

 > 100 µM to other cells

PC: Cisplatin

Not reported [66]
Asterolaurin Q (87) Xenicane diterpenoid Asterospicularia laurae Oral, breast, and ovarian cancer

Model: MCF-7, Ca9-22, SK-OV-3

Assay: MTS

IC50: > 100 µM

PC: Cisplatin

Not reported [66]
Asterolaurins R (88) Xenicane diterpenoid Asterospicularia laurae Oral, breast, and ovarian cancer

Model: MCF-7, Ca9-22, SK-OV-3

Assay: MTS

IC50: > 100 µM

PC: Cisplatin

Not reported [66]
Sarcacutumolid A (89) Cembranolide Sarcophyton acutum Hepatocellular, cervical cancer, breast adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer

Model: HepG2, HeLa, MCF-7 and Colo-205

Assay: SRB

IC50: 35.5 µM

PC: doxorubicin HCl (Dox)

Not reported [67]
Cinerenolide A (90) Cembranolide Sarcophyton cinereum Human colorectal adenocarcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, human skin fibroblast and Mouse lymphoma

Model: P388, DLD-1, HuCCT-1, CCD966SK

Assay: Alamar Blue (resazurin)

IC50: not reported

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [71]
Cinerenolide B (91) Cembranolide Sarcophyton cinereum Human colorectal adenocarcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, human skin fibroblast and Mouse lymphoma

Model: P388, DLD-1, HuCCT-1, CCD966SK

Assay: Alamar Blue (resazurin)

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [71]
Cinerenolide C (92) Cembranolide Sarcophyton cinereum Human colorectal adenocarcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, human skin fibroblast and Mouse lymphoma

Model: P388, DLD-1, HuCCT-1, CCD966SK

Assay: Alamar Blue (resazurin)

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [71]
Tuaimenal B (93) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: 25 μM to CaSki 14 μM to C33A

PC: Etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal C (94) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: not reported

PC: Etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal D (95) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: not reported

PC: etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal E (96) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: not reported

PC: etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal F (97) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: 41 μM to CaSki

38 μM to C33A

PC: etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal G (98) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: 20 μM to CaSki

0.04 μM to C33A

PC: etoposide

Not reported [68]
Tuaimenal H (99) Merosesquiterpene Duva florida Cervical cancer

Model: CaSki and C33A

Assay: ELISA

IC50: 23 μM to CaSki

14 μM to C33A

PC: etoposide

Not reported [68]
Dendronestadione (100) Ketosteroids Dendronephthya sp. Human hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma and prostate carcinoma

Model: HepG2, HT-29, PC

Assay: MTT

IC50: 19.1 ± 1.8 μM to HepG2,

32.4 ± 2.8 μM to HT-29,

7.8 ± 0.8 μM to PC-3

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [69]
Lobocatalen A (101) Lobane diterpenoid Lobophytum catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen B (102) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen C (103) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen D (104) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen E (105) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen F (106) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: > 30 µM

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]
Lobocatalen G (107) Lobane diterpenoid L. catalai Human leukemia, pancreatic cancer

Model: K562, ASPC-1, MDA-MB-231

Assay: MTT and SRB

IC50: 27.9 µM to K562

 > 30 µM to other cells

PC: doxorubicin

Not reported [70]