Cavernosolide, a new sesterterpene from a tyrrenhian sponge

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 íg/mL) in the Artemia salina bioassay and a moderate toxicity (LC50 ) 0.75 íg/mL) in a fish (Gambusia affinis) lethality assay