Antineoplastic agents. 340. Isolation and structural elucidation of bryostatins 16-18.

Separation of two trace cancer cell growth inhibitory (P388 leukemia) fractions from about 1000 kg of wet Gulf of Mexico Bugula neritina (Bryozoa) has led to the isolation of bryostatins 16−18 (2−4). A combination of HRFABMS and high-field (400 MHz) 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral analyses were employed to assign the structures. The three new 20-desoxybryostatins 16 (2), 17 (3), and 18 (4) showed significant growth inhibitory activity (P388 ED50, 2, 9.3 × 10-3 μg/mL, 3, 1.9 × 10-2 μg/mL, and 4, 3.3 × 10-3 μg/mL) against murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia.