Speradine A, a new pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus tamarii

A new pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid, speradine A (1), was isolated from the cultured broth of a fungus Aspergillus tamarii, which was separated from driftwood at a seashore in Okinawa. The structure and relative stereochemistry were determined by spectroscopic data and a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of triprenylated toluquinone and toluhydroquinone metabolites from a marine-derived Penicillium fungus

Two triprenylated toluquinone and toluhydroquinone marine fungal metabolites, 5-methyl-2-[(2′E,6′E)-3′,7′,11′-trimethyl-2′,6′,10′-dodecatrienyl]-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione and 5-methyl-2-[(2′E,6′E)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2′,6′,10′-dodecatrienyl]-1,4-benzenediol, were synthesized in four and five steps, respectively, from 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. The synthesis extends the applicability of the oxidative ether cleavage of hydroquinone dimethyl ethers with argentic oxide under acidic conditions to include the oxidative demethylation of polyprenylated-1,4-dimethoxy-toluhydroquinones with a quantitative survival of the oxidation- and acid-sensitive polyprenyl side chain.     

Cytosporin-related compounds from the marine-derived fungus Eutypella scoparia

Chemical investigation of the culture broth of the fungus Eutypella scoparia ICB-OBX, isolated from the marine pulmonate mollusc Onchidium sp., led to the finding of novel compounds 1 and 2, structurally related to angiotensin II binding inhibitors cytosporins, along with unrelated known nitrogen metabolites (compounds 3-5). The structure and the relative stereochemistry of the novel metabolites were assigned mainly by a detailed analysis of two-dimensional NMR techniques whereas the absolute stereochemistry was proposed by modified Mosher's method. Compound 2 contains an unusual cyclic carbonate functionality that is rare among natural products.     

New humantenine-type indole alkaloids with iridoid unit from Gelsemium species

Two new oxindole alkaloids, rankiniridine (1) and humanteniridine (2), having a nitrogen-carbon linkage between a humantenine-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloid and a monoterpene unit with an iridoid skeleton, were isolated from Gelsemium rankinii and Gelsemium elegans, respectively.     

Four new minor alkaloids from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica

Four new minor alkaloids, stryvomicine A (1), deoxy-isostrychnine-chloromethochloride (2), β-colubrine-chloromethochloride (3) and α-colubrine-chloromethochloride (4) were isolated from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica. Stryvomicin A possesses an unprecedented 6/5/7/8/6/7/6 heptacyclic ring system, which is the first example of the linkage of the C3–O–C26–N4 bond in strychnan-type alkaloids. Compound 5 induced the occurrence of autophagy and might have potential implications in autophagy related diseases.     

Polyhydroxylated macrolide isolated from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis mangiferae

A new polyhydroxylated macrolide, named mangiferaelactone (1) was isolated from a solid culture of the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis manguiferae, together with ten known compounds [(6S,1′S)-LL-P880α; (6S,1′S,2′R)-LL-P880β; (1′S,2′R)-LL-880γ; (1′R)-dehydropestalotin; (−)-5-carboxylmellein; (−)-5-methylmellein; (−)-5-hydroxylmethylmellein; arabenoic acid; 5,6-dihydro-4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one; and the (−)-2-hexylidene-3-methylsuccinic acid]. P. manguiferae was isolated from Hyptis dilatata, a small shrub common in the central region of Panama. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, optical rotation, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy). The absolute configuration of 1 was established as 4R,7R,8R,9S by application of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Compound 1 showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.6863 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, and 0.5529 mg/mL against Bacillus cereus. No activity was observed for compound 1 against Plasmodium falciparum or Trypanosoma cruzi; likewise, no cytotoxic activity was observed against A2058 and H522-T1 cells.     

Novel carbon-bridged citrinin dimers from a volcano ash-derived fungus Penicillium citrinum and their cytotoxic and cell cycle arrest activities

Three novel carbon-bridged citrinin dimers, dicitrinones A-C (1-3), were isolated from a volcano ash-derived fungus Penicillium citrinum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Dicitrinone A (1) and B (2) are two atropisomeric mixtures, which were verified by both NMR and quantum chemical calculations. Their cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines (HL-60, MOLT-4, A-549, and BEL-7402) was evaluated by SRB and MTT methods. Dicitrinone B (2) arrested the HL-60 cell cycle at the G2/M phase, which was analyzed using flow cytometry.     

Zygosporamide, a cytotoxic cyclic depsipeptide from the marine-derived fungus Zygosporium masonii

Zygosporamide (1), a new cyclic pentadepsipeptide, was isolated from the seawater-based fermentation broth of a marine-derived fungus identified as Zygosporium masonii. The structure of 1, which is composed of α-hydroxyleucic acid and both d- and l-amino acids, was determined by combined spectral and chemical methods. Despite a simple structure, zygosporamide illustrated significant cytotoxicity in the NCI’s 60 cell line panel (median GI₅₀ = 9.1 μM), with highly enhanced selectivity against the CNS cancer cell line SF-268 (GI₅₀ = 6.5 nM) and the renal cancer cell line RXF 393 (GI₅₀ ? 5.0 nM).     

Dihydroanthracenone metabolites from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis isolated from Annona squamosa

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis, isolated from Annona squamosa, yielded two new dihydroanthracenone atropodiastereomers, diaporthemins A (1) and B (2), together with the known flavomannin-6,6′-di-O-methyl ether (3). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by high resolution mass spectrometry and by CD spectroscopy. Compounds 1–3 were tested for their antimicrobial activity against a multi-resistant clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus 25697, a susceptible reference strain of S. aureus ATCC 29213 and against Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619. Compound 3 strongly inhibited S. pneumonia growth with a MIC value of 2 μg/mL, and showed moderate activity against the S. aureus multi-resistant clinical isolate and susceptible reference strain (MIC 32 μg/mL), whereas 1 and 2 were not active against the tested strains.     

Three new Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia carinata and Huperzia squarrosa

Eleven Lycopodium alkaloids with lycodine-type, lycopodine-type, and fawcettimine-related skeletons were isolated from the whole plants of Huperzia carinata (Desv. Ex. Poir.) Trevis and Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst) Trevis (Huperziaceae). Among them, 8,15-dihydrohuperzine A (2), lycocarinatine A (3), and lycoposerramine U N-oxide (11) are new compounds. The structures of these new alkaloids were elucidated on the basis of 2D NMR correlations. Some of these isolated alkaloids were assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity.     

Calyciphyllines H-M, new Daphniphyllum alkaloids from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Six new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, calyciphyllines H-M (1-6), were isolated from the leaves and stems of Daphniphyllum calycinum (Daphniphyllaceae). The structures and relative stereochemistry of 1-6 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, and the absolute stereochemistry of 3 was assigned by PGME method.     

Caldaphnidines A-F, six new Daphniphyllum alkaloids from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Six new Daphniphyllum alkaloids, namely caldaphnidines A-F (1-6), together with eight known ones, deoxycalyciphylline B, deoxyisocalyciphylline B, bukittiggine, calycicine A, methyl homosecodaphniphyllate, daphnilactone B, and daphnezomines L-M, were isolated from the leaves and the seeds of Daphniphyllum calycinum. The structure of 1 was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study, and the structures of 2-6 were established by spectral methods, especially two-dimensional NMR techniques (¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY).     

Structures and cytotoxicities of fascaplysin and related alkaloids from two marine phyla—Fascaplysinopsis sponges and Didemnum tunicates

The structural variations and bioactivity properties of the alkaloids in the fascaplysin (1) and the reticulatine (3) families were examined. Four organisms were analyzed consisting of two collections of the sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata and two collections of the tunicate Didemnum sp. Reported are the isolation of three new compounds: 3-bromofascaplysin (2), 14-bromoreticulatine (4), and 14-bromoreticulatate (6) along with reticulatate (5) previously known as a semi-synthetic product of 1. Compounds 1 and 5 showed selectivity in a cell based cytotoxicity assay.     

Emervaridione and varioxiranediol, two new metabolites from the endophytic fungus, Emericella variecolor

Two new compounds, emervaridione and varioxiranediol, together with the three known compounds, stellatic acid, ergosterol and dihydroterrein, were isolated from the endophytic fungus, Emericella variecolor. The structures of emervaridione and varioxiranediol were established from spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Hupermine A,a novel C16N2-type Lycopodium alkaloid from Huperzia phlegmaria

A novel C₁₆N₂-type Lycopodium alkaloid consisting of a quinolizidine with a 6-dimethylaminohexyl side chain, hupermine A (1), was isolated from the club moss of Huperzia phlegmaria, and the structure and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

Six new indole alkaloids from Gelsemium sempervirens Ait. f.

One new yohimbane and five new sarpagine-type indole alkaloids were isolated from the radix of Gelsemium sempervirens Ait. f., and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion or total synthesis. It was found that 2-acyl sarpagine-type alkaloids possessing an N_b-methyl group take a keto-amino structure or a transannular form in solution depending on the solvent.     

Banchromene and other secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. obtained from Piper guineense inhibit the motility of phytopathogenic Plasmopara viticola zoospores

A new chromene, (S)-banchromene (1), together with seven known compounds, ergosterol, beauvericin (2), fusaproliferin (3), radicinin (4), poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB, 5), N-methylpyrrolidone and an inseparable mixture of isochromene derivatives 6a, 6b, were isolated from a culture of Fusarium sp. strain CAMKT24b1, an endophytic fungus from the leaves and twigs of Piper guineense (Piperaceae). The structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data; the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by ab initio-calculation of the optical rotation. In tests with the zoospores of the grapevine downy mildew pathogen Plasmopara viticola, compounds 1–4 showed moderate to high levels of motility-impairing activity at concentrations as low as 2.5 μg/mL. Compound 2 was the most active, exhibiting both motility-halting and lytic activities. Furthermore, compounds 2 and 3 displayed significant cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina) at 10 μg/mL. This is the first report on motility inhibitory and lytic activities of metabolites from an endophytic Fusarium species against the zoospores of the downy mildew pathogen P. viticola.     

Polyketides from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Acremonium strictum

Five new polyketide derivatives, 6′-hydroxypestalotiopsone C (1), acropyrone (2), bicytosporone D (3), waol acid (4), and pestalotiopene C (5), together with seven known metabolites (6–12), were obtained from extracts of the endophytic fungus Acremonium strictum, isolated from the mangrove tree Rhizophora apiculata. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive NMR and MS analysis. Compounds 6, 7, and 9 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against human cisplatin-sensitive (IC₅₀ values 27.1, 76.2, and 8.3 μM, respectively) and resistant A2780 cell lines (IC₅₀ values 12.6, 30.1, and 19.0 μM, respectively), whereas only 9 exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC value 14.3 μM).     

Malbrancheamide, a new calmodulin inhibitor from the fungus Malbranchea aurantiaca

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an ethyl acetate extract (mycelia and broth) of the fungus Malbranchea aurantiaca led to the isolation of the novel phytotoxic alkaloid (5aS,12aS,13aS)-8,9-dichloro-12,12-dimethyl-2,3,11,12,12a,13-hexahydro-1H,6H-5a,13a (epiminomethano)indolizino[7,6b]carbazol-14-one (1) of the brevianamide series. The phytotoxin was given the trivial name of malbrancheamide (1). The structure of 1 was unequivocally established by UV, NMR, MS and X-ray studies. The absolute configuration was established by X-ray analysis according to the method of Flack. According to the conformational studies using molecular mechanics analyses, 1 exists in one preferred conformation, which was optimized by DFT calculations. Compound 1 caused moderate inhibition of radicle growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus (IC₅₀=0.37 μM) and inhibited the activation of the calmodulin-dependent enzyme PDE1 (IC₅₀=3.65±0.74 μM). This effect was comparable to that of chlorpromazine (IC₅₀=2.75±0.87 μM) a well characterized CaM antagonist. The inhibition mechanism of 1 was competitive with respect to CaM according to a kinetic analysis.     

Aminocadambines A and B, two novel indole alkaloids from Neolamarckia cadamba

Two novel monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, aminocadambines A (1) and B (2), characterized by tetrahydrofuran and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine rings, were isolated from the leaves of Neolamarckia cadamba. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and computational methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by CD analysis. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1 and 2 is proposed.