New C-21 Delta(20) pregnanes, inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain, from Indopacific octocoral Carijoa sp.

Two new compounds, pregnanes 1 and 2, the known pregnane 3 and a series of known chlorinated prostanoids (4-9) have been isolated from the Indian octocoral Carijoa sp. Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly by 1 D and 2D NMR. The new compounds were potent inhibitors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.