Clavaminols A-N, novel cytotoxic aminoalcohols fro the tunicate Clavelina phlegraea: structures, absolute configuration and pharmacological activity

During our search for new biologically active and significant metabolites from Mediterranean ascidians, we have examined specimens of the tunicate Clavelina phlegraea Salfi 1929 collected in the Bay of Naples. This study led to the isolation of twelve new cytotoxic compounds, clavaminols A-N, whosw stwreostructures were established by analysis of spectroscopic data and chemical conversion. Clavaminol A was shown to be the more potent cytotoxic compound of this series inducing cell death through activation of the apoptotic machinery.