Violaceimides A–E,sulfur-containing metabolites from a sponge-associated fungus Aspergillus violaceus

Five new methylsuccinimide-based sulfur-bearing compounds, namely violaceimides A–E (1–5), were isolated from the sponge-associated fungal strain Aspergillus violaceus WZXY-m64-17. Their structures were determined by analyses of the HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data, along with the Mosher’s and Snatzke’s methods, experimental and calculated ECD data, as well as chemical conversion for the configurational assignment. The structures of 1–5 featured the fusion of methylsuccinimide with a modified cysteine to incorporate sulfur element, which was found from nature for the first time. The biogenetic relationship of the sulfur-containing compounds was postulated. Violaceimides A and B exerted selective inhibition against the growth of human leukemia U937 and human colorectal cancer cell HCT-8 with low cytotoxicity toward Vero cells, whereas violaceimide E showed moderate activity to inhibit U937 cells. The preliminary structure-activity relationship was discussed.     

Pseudapenes A–C,sesquiterpenoids from the marine-derived fungus Pseudallescheria apiosperma F52-1

Three sesquiterpenoids pseudapenes A–C (1–3) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Pseudallescheria apiosperma F52-1. Pseudapene A (1) has an unprecedented 2-methyl-5-methylene-3-(2-methylbut-2-ene)-dicyclo(3, 3, 0)-octane carbon skeleton and pseudapenes B (2) and C (3) possess an unique 2-methyl-4-methylene-2-(2-methylpent-2-ene)-dicyclo(3, 2, 0)-heptane chemical scaffold. Their structures were determined by use of MS and NMR spectroscopic data, and ECD, optical rotation and ¹³C NMR calculations.     

New bioactive pyrrospirones C−I from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. ZZ380

Seven rare pyrrospirones C?I (1–7) as well as 18 known compounds were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. ZZ380. Structures of the new pyrrospirones were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, HRESIMS data, and Mosher's method. Pyrrospirone D (2) was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Pyrrospirone G (5) showed potent activity in inhibiting the proliferation of different glioma cells with IC₅₀ values of 1.06–8.52 μM and pyrrospirones C (1), F (4), and I (7) had antimicrobial activity against the growth of both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with MIC values of 2.0–5.0 μg/mL.     

Dendronephthols A–C,new sesquiterpenoids from the Red Sea soft coral Dendronephthya sp.

Three new ylangene-type sesquiterpenoids: dendronephthol A (7,13-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-α-ylang-5-one) (1), dendronephthol B (6,7,13-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-α-ylangene) (2), and dendronephthol C (6,7,13-trihydroxy-α-ylang-5-one) (3), together with two known compounds: dendronesterone A and cholesterol were isolated from the CHCl₃ fraction of Red Sea soft coral Dendronephthya sp. (Nephtheidae). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic studies (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) as well as MS spectroscopy and by comparison of the spectral data with those of related known compounds. Compounds 1 and 3 showed cytotoxic activity against the murine lymphoma L5187Y cancer cell line with ED₅₀ values of 8.4 and 6.8 μg/mL, respectively.     

Rubischumanins A–C,new cytotoxic cyclopeptides from Rubia schumanniana

Three new cyclic hexapeptides, designated as rubischumanins A–C (1–3), together with three known ones (4–6) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Rubia schumanniana. The structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated and compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 showed cytotoxicity against A549, BGC-823, and Hela cell lines.     

Alstolactines A–C,novel monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris

Three novel ring-fused monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, alstolactines A–C (1–3), were isolated from the long-term stored leaves of Alstonia scholaris. Their structures were identified on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data and X-ray diffractions. Moreover, the absolute configurations of these related structures were indicated by the crystal X-ray diffractions (Mo Kα) of 1a, a chlorinated derivative of 1.     

Streptopyrazinones A−D,rare metabolites from marine-derived Streptomyces sp. ZZ446

Secondary metabolites from marine-associated actinomycetes are important source for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. In this study, an actinomycete Streptomyces sp. ZZ446 was isolated from coastal soils and different media were used to culture this isolated marine actinomycete. It has been found that this actinomycete in the liquid medium of 2216?E with sea salt produced five new compounds of streptopyrazinones A?D (1–4) and N-acetyl-l-isoleucine-l-leucinamide (5) as well as six known diketopiperazines (6–11) and one alkaloid (12). Structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive NMR analyses, HRESIMS data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, chemical degradation, Marfey's method, and X-ray diffraction analysis. This type of streptopyrazinones A?D (1–4) is rarely found in the natural resources. New compounds 1–5 showed activity in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.     

Cytosporins F–K,new epoxyquinols from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis theae

Chemical investigation of an endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis theae, isolated from the leaves of Turraeanthus longipes (Meliaceae) collected in Cameroon, resulted in the isolation of six new epoxyquinols, cytosporins F–K (2–7), together with the known cytosporin D (1). The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously determined by analysis of the 1D, 2D NMR, and HRMS spectra. Cytosporins G–K (3–7) are the first cytosporins with a hydroxyl substituted C₇ side chain, while cytosporins F–I (2–5) contain a 13-acetoxyl group that was not reported previously. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for the cytosporin derivatives is proposed.     

Ivorenoids A–F: limonoids from Khaya ivorensis

Six new limonoids, ivorenoids A–F (1–6), along with ten known analogues, were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stems of Khaya ivorensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 possessed a rare rearranged skeleton of khayanolides and a unique γ-lactone (C-16/C-8) replacing the common and characteristic δ-lactone D-ring (C-16/C-17) of limonoids. A mechanism of the interesting deuteration of H-2 and H-15β of 1, and H-15β of the solvent CD₃OD due to the keto–enol tautomerism was demonstrated. Compounds 3 and 6 showed moderate activity against HL-60 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 15.3 and 17.5 μM, respectively.     

Stemona-amines C–E,new alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa

Three new alkaloids, stemona-amines C–E, were isolated from the roots of Stemona tuberosa Lour. (Stemonaceae). The structures of stemona-amines C and D were determined by X-ray crystallography and that of stemona-amine E was determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data. The absolute structures of stemona-amines C and D were established by VCD spectroscopy.     

Glandulaurencianols A–C,brominated diterpenes from the red alga, Laurencia glandulifera and the sea hare, Aplysia punctata

Glandulaurencianols A and B were isolated from the organic extract of the red alga, Laurencia glandulifera, collected from the island of Crete in South Greece. Investigation of the mollusk, Aplysia punctata, collected from the coast of Nea Makri, Central Greece, resulted in the isolation of glandulaurencianols A and C. The structures of the new metabolites, as well as their relative configurations, were established on the basis of thorough analyses of their spectroscopic data.     

Amide,cyclohexenone, and cyclohexenone–sordaricin derivatives from the endophytic fungus Xylaria plebeja PSU-G30

Six new compounds, two cyclohexenones, named xylariacyclones A (1) and B (2), three cyclohexenone–sordaricin derivatives, named xylarinonericins A–C (3–5), and one amide derivative, named xylariamide (6), together with 11 known compounds were isolated from the broth extract of the endophytic fungus Xylaria plebeja PSU-G30. The structures were elucidated by analyses of NMR spectroscopic data and chemical methods. Compounds 3–5 are novel and unusual sodaricin derivatives with an ester moiety at C-6 of the sordaricin skeleton. In addition, compound 5 has a unique feature with an ester unit instead of an ether group at C-19. They were evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC90028 and Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC90113.     

Glabralides A – C,three novel meroterpenoids from Sarcandra glabra

Glabralides A–C (1–3), three novel meroterpenoids including two unprecedented skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Sarcandra glabra. Glabralide A (1) represented a unique skeleton of the chalcone-coupled monoterpenoid, bearing a bicyclo [2.2.2] octene core unit with five chiral centers. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations were determined using circular dichroic (CD) spectra. The plausible biogenetic pathway for 1 suggested that α-phellandrene was conjugated with chalcone by Diels-Alder cyclization, and for 3 implied that α-phellandrene and o-hydroxy phenylacetate cyclized by an uncommon radical addition and cationic cyclization.     

Guignardins A–F,spirodioxynaphthalenes from the endophytic fungus Guignardia sp. KcF8 as a new class of PTP1B and SIRT1 inhibitors

Six new guignardins A–F (1–6) were isolated from the cultures of endophytic fungus Guignardia sp. KcF8 derived of a mangrove plant Kandelia candel, along with three known analogues, palmarumycins C₁ (7), BG1 (8), and JC1 (9). Compounds 2, 3, 7, and 8 showed antimicrobial activities. Compounds 5–7 exhibited significant cytotoxicities against 10 human tumor cell lines. Compound 3 also displayed significant inhibitory activity against human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and histone deacetylase silent information regulator T1enzymes, two key targets for the treatment of diabetes. This is the first report on the anti-PTP1B and anti-SIRT1 activities of spirodioxynaphthalenes.     

Amphichoterpenoids A–C,unprecedented picoline-derived meroterpenoids from the ascidian-derived fungus Amphichorda felina SYSU-MS7908

Amphichoterpenoids A–C(1–3), unprecedented picoline-derived meroterpenoids possessing a pyrano[3,2-c]pyridinyl-g-pyranone scaffold, were characterized from the ascidian-derived fungus Amphichorda felina SYSU-MS7908. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism(ECD) calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway was proposed. The isolated compounds displayed moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase with 50% inhibiting concentration(IC50) values of 18.8–53.2 mmol/L.     

Voacalgines A–E,new indole alkaloids from Voacanga grandifolia

Five new indole alkaloids, voacalgines A–E (1–5) consisting of a C-mavacurine type of skeleton with 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate moiety, a macroline-type of skeleton, or a macroline-type of skeleton with C₆ unit, were isolated from the bark of Voacanga grandifolia. Their relative structures were determined by means of NMR data. Voacalgine A showed moderate cell growth inhibitory activities against HL-60 and HCT116 cells.     

Mycopyranone: A 8,8ˈ-binaphthopyranone with potent anti-MRSA activity from the fungus Phialemoniopsis sp.

A new 8,8?-binaphthopyranone (mycopyranone, 1) was isolated from a solid fermentation of Phialemoniopsis sp. (fungal strain MSX61662), and the structure was elucidated via analysis of the NMR and HRESIMS data. The axial chirality of 1 was determined to be M by ECD. The central chirality at C-4/C-4? was assigned through a modified Mosher’s method, while the absolute configuration at C-3/C-3? was deduced based on analysis of the ³J_H-3-H-4 values and NOESY correlations. Compound 1 was evaluated for its antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus SA1199 and a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (MRSA USA300 LAC strain AH1263). Compound 1 inhibited the growth of both strains in a concentration dependent manner with IC₅₀ values in the low μM range. Molecular docking indicated that compound 1 binds to the FtsZ (tubulin-like) protein in the same pocket as viriditoxin (2), suggesting that 1 targets bacterial cell division.     

Fluevirines A–D,four new securinega-type alkaloids from Flueggea virosa

Four new securinega-type alkaloids, fluevirines A–D (1–4), along with ten known ones, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Flueggea virosa. The structures of the new ones were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were assigned by CD spectra. Among them, fluevirine A (1) was a novel C,C-linked dimeric indolizidine alkaloid and showed weak antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.     

Visible-light photo-catalytic C–C bond cleavages: preparations of N,N-dialkylformamides from 1,2-vicinal diamines

A range of 1,2-vicinal diamines were smoothly converted into N,N-dialkylformamides under the synergistic actions of Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ photo-catalyst, 45 W household lighting bulb, and Cs₂CO₃ basic additive under very mild reaction conditions. The process involves visible light-enabled photo-catalytic cleavage of C–C bond as the strategic event.