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8434319 
Journal Article 
Sarcophine-a new toxin from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum (Alcyonaria) 
Ne'Eman, I; Fishelson, L; Kashman, Y 
1974 
1 
Toxicon
ISSN: 0041-0101
EISSN: 1879-3150 
12 
6 
593-594,IN5-IN6 
English 
The soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum is avoided by predators and has a toxic effect on fish. From the hexane extract of the dried coral a new diterpene was isolated. This compound was given the name sarcophine. Mass spectra and elemental analysis gave its formula as C30H25O3. The functional groups of sarcophine are: (a) αβ-unsaturated lactone, (b) epoxide, (c) two additional double bonds. Thiol addition to the αβ-unsaturated lactone was investigated. Sarcophine seems to be the main toxic substance of Sarcophyton glaucum. Lethality tests, using Gambusia affinis showed that the ld50 of the toxin after 3 hr is 3 mg per liter. Sarcophine was toxic to mice, rats and guinea pigs and showed strong anti-acetylcholine action on the isolated guinea pig ilcum. Sarcophine was also a competitive inhibitor of cholinesterase in vitro. © 1974.