The absolute configuration of antiinflammatory marine sesterterpenes belonging to the manoalide and cacospongionolide structural type has been determined by comparison of the CD spectra of the natural compounds with those of analogues that have been stereoselectively synthesized. In the derived acetates the relative stereochemistry of the stereogenic centres in the pyranofuranone moiety is assigned from 1H‐NMR data and the absolute configuration from CD spectra. The absolute configuration of the naturally occurring marine sesterterpenes thorectolide monoacetate, manoalide monoacetate, petrosaspongiolide M and cavernosolide has been determined.

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SummaryBackground. Chronic periodontitis affects 47% of adult population over the age of 30. The first phase of periodontal treatment is always represented by scaling and root planning (SRP), that is a causal, non-surgical therapy that recognizes as primary aims the control of bacterial infection and the reduction of periodontal plaque-associated inflammation. Yet, another innovative causal therapy is represented by the irradiation of periodontal pockets with laser. Aim. To evaluate the effect of a 940-nm diode laser as an adjunct to SRP in patients affected by periodontitis. Materials and methods. Sixty-eight adult patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis were sequentially enrolled and undergone to periodontal examination (V1) in order to detect gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and probing depth (PD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first (n=34) received SRP treatment alone, the control group (n=34) received SRP and 940-nm diode laser therapy. Results. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test, with two tails; for all clinical parameters, both groups reported statistically significant differences compared to basal values (p<0.0001). Both procedures were effective in improving GI, PI and PD, but the use of diode laser was associated with more evident results.

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A new derivative of avarol, monoacetyl avarol, has been isolated from the sponge Dysidea avara. The structural elucidation and biological activities are reported.

Cacospongionolide B [2a], a new cacospongionolide-related sesterterpene, has been isolated from the Adriatic sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. The structure was elucidated by spectral and chemical means. The antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp and fish lethalities of 2a are reported.

Cavernosolide (3a), a new sesterterpene, has been isolated from the Tyrrhenian sponge Fasciospongia cavernosa. The structure was proposed on the basis of spectroscopic data and by chemical transformations. Cavernosolide showed potent activity (LC50 = 0.37 μg/mL) in the Artemia salina bioassay and a moderate toxicity (LC50 = 0.75 μg/mL) in a fish (Gambusia affinis) lethality assay.

A new sesterterpene, 12-deacetoxyscalaradial [2a] has been isolated from the sponge Cacospongia mollior, together with the previously described scalaradial [2b] and furoscalarol [3]. The structure of the new compound, proposed by spectral data, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2a is the first scalarane sesterterpenoid, without a substituent at C-12, to have been identified in nature. It shows high antifeedant activity and is hot to taste for the human tongue. Both 2a and 2b display cytotoxic activity.