Dioxopiperazine Alkaloids Produced by the Marine Mangrove Derived Endophytic Fungus Eurotium rubrum

Cultivation of the fungal strain Eurotium rubrum, an endophytic fungus that was isolated from the inner tissue of stems of the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, resulted in the isolation of two new dioxopiperazine derivatives, namely, dehydrovariecolorin L ( 1 ) and dehydroechinulin ( 2 ), together with eight known dioxopiperazine compounds including variecolorin L ( 3 ), echinulin ( 4 ), isoechinulin A ( 5 ), dihydroxyisoechinulin A ( 6 ), preechinulin ( 7 ), neoechinulin A ( 8 ), neoechinulin E ( 9 ), and cryptoechinuline D ( 10 ). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with literature. Compounds 1, 2, 9 , and 10 were investigated for their α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity. In addition, the new compounds, 1 and 2 , were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the P‐388, HL‐60, and A549 cell lines.     

Anthraquinone Derivatives and an Orsellinic Acid Ester from the Marine Alga‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Eurotium cristatum EN‐220

Cultivation of the fungal strain Eurotium cristatum EN‐220, an endophyte obtained from the marine alga Sargassum thunbergii, resulted in the isolation of one new anthraquinone glycoside, 3‐O‐(α‐D ‐ribofuranosyl)questinol ( 1 ) and one new orsellinic acid ester, cristatumside A ( 2 ), together with three known aromatic glycosides, 3‐O‐(α‐D ‐ribofuranosyl)questin ( 3 ), isotorachrysone 6‐O‐α‐D ‐ribofuranoside ( 4 ), and asperflavin ribofuranoside ( 5 ), as well as three anthraquinone derivatives, asperflavin ( 6 ), eurorubrin ( 7 ), and (+)‐variecolorquinone A ( 8 ). The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data, as well as by their comparison with those in the literature. Each of the isolated compounds was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality.     

Benzodiazepine Alkaloids from Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus ochraceus

A new fungus‐derived benzodiazepine analogue, 2‐hydroxycircumdatin C ( 1 ), and a compound which has been isolated from a natural resource for the first time, but has been previously synthesized, namely (11aS)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,1‐c][1,4]benzodiazepine‐5,11(10H,11aH)‐dione ( 2 ), along with five structurally related known alkaloids ( 3 – 7 ), were isolated from Aspergillus ochraceus, an endophytic fungus derived from the marine brown alga Sargassum kjellmanianum. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined through CD evidence. Compound 1 displayed significant DPPH radical‐scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 9.9 μM , which is 8.9‐fold more potent than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a well‐known synthetic positive control.     

Triazoles and Other N‐Containing Metabolites from the Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum EN‐118

Two new triazoles, chrysotriazoles A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), along with two known quinazolinones, 3 and 4 , two known 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)acetamides, 5 and 6 , and two known N‐(4‐hydroxystyryl)formamides, 7 and 8 , were isolated and identified from the culture extract of Penicillium chrysogenum EN‐118, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine brown alga Sargassum pallidium. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by NMR‐spectroscopic analysis, and that of compound 1 was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis of its p‐bromobenzoate derivative. Compounds 4, 5 , and 7 showed moderate cytotoxicities against Du145, A‐549, and HeLa cell lines.     

Two New Cyclic Pentapeptides from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus versicolor

Two new cyclic pentapeptides, named versicotides A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were obtained from a marine‐derived fungus strain ZLN‐60, identified as Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Versicotides are new cyclic pentapeptides which contain an L ‐alanine residue, two anthranilic acid (=2‐aminobenzoic acid) residues, and two N‐methyl‐L ‐alanine residues. Antitumor activities were evaluated by the SRB and MTT methods.     

Structural and Biological Properties of Vermistatin and Two New Vermistatin Derivatives Isolated from the Marine‐Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Guignardia sp. No. 4382

Vermistatin (=(3R)‐4,6‐dimethoxy‐3‐{4‐oxo‐6‐[(1E)‐prop‐1‐en‐1‐yl]‐4H‐pyran‐3‐yl}‐2‐benzofuran‐1(3H)‐one; 1 ) and two new vermistatin derivatives, compounds 2 and 3 , were isolated from the fungal strain Guignardia sp. No. 4382 obtained from the South‐China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by various methods, including circular dichroism (CD), 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and HR‐EI‐MS. The structures of 1 and 2 were unequivocally corroborated by X‐ray crystallography, and their absolute configurations were derived by CD spectroscopy based on a literature comparison. The in vitro cytotoxic and antifungal activities of 1 and 2 were tested.     

Two New Secoanthraquinone Derivatives from the Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus wentii EN‐48

Two new secoanthraquinone derivatives, wentiquinones A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), together with the eight known compounds 3 – 10 , were isolated from the culture extracts of Aspergillus wentii EN‐48, an endophytic fungus derived from an unidentified marine brown algal species of the genus Sargassum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis.     

New Cytochalasins from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO 156

Two new cytochalasins, 18‐deoxycytochalasin Q ( 1 ) and 21‐O‐deacetylcytochalasin Q ( 2 ), together with four known analogues, cytochalasin Q ( 3 ), 19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q ( 4 ), 21‐O‐deacetyl‐19,20‐epoxycytochalasin Q ( 5 ), and cytochalasin D ( 6 ), were isolated from the fungus Xylaria sp. SCSIO156 originated from the South China Sea marine sediment. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by MS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR data analyses, and comparison with known compounds. The known compounds 3 – 6 were identified by comparison of their MS and NMR data with those reported in the literature. In the in vitro antitumor assay, compounds 2 – 6 showed mild cytotoxicity against three tumor cell lines (MCF‐7, SF‐268, and NCI‐H460).     

New Cytotoxic Metabolites from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. ZLN29

One new penicillide derivative, prenpenicillide ( 1 ), and one new xanthone derivative, prenxanthone ( 2 ), were isolated from the culture extract of the marine‐derived fungus Penicillium sp. ZLN29, together with six known polyketide compounds, 3 – 8 . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The cytotoxicities of these eight compounds were evaluated on four tumor‐cell lines by SRB (=sulforhodamine B) or MTT (=3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) methods. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicities against HepG2 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 9.9 and 9.7 μM , respectively.     

Oxepine‐Containing Diketopiperazine Alkaloids from the Algal‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Paecilomyces variotii EN‐291

Two new oxepine‐containing diketopiperazine‐type alkaloids, varioloids A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), were isolated from the algal‐derived fungus Paecilomyces variotii EN‐291. The structures and absolute configurations were determined by detailed interpretation of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic data and by analysis of acidic hydrolysates. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent activity against the plant‐pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum with MIC values of 8 and 4 μg/ml, respectively.     

Nigerasterols A and B,Antiproliferative Sterols from the Mangrove‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus niger MA‐132

Two new 6,8(14),22‐hexadehydro‐5α,9α‐epidioxy‐3,15‐dihydroxy sterols, nigerasterols A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with two known cyclopentapeptides, malformins A₁ and C ( 3 and 4 , resp.), were identified in the culture extract of Aspergillus niger MA‐132, an endophytic fungus isolated from a fresh healthy sample of the mangrove plant Avicennia marina. The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by application of a modified version of Mosher's method. Nigerasterols A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.) represent the first 5,9‐epidioxy‐sterol compounds of marine origin, and they displayed potent activity against tumor cell lines HL60 and A549 in a preliminary bioassay.     

Structure and Absolute Configuration of Aspergilumamide A,a Novel Lumazine Peptide from the Mangrove‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.

A novel lumazine peptide, aspergilumamide A ( 1 ), as well as a known analog penilumamide ( 2 ), were isolated from the mycelia of a marine‐derived fungus Aspergillus sp. (33241), obtained from the mangrove Bruguiera sexangula var. rhynchopetala collected from the South China Sea. The structure of 1 was identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, ESI‐MS, and MS/MS experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by Marfey's method.     

Two New Indole Alkaloids from the Marine‐Derived Bacterium Aeromonas sp. CB101

Two new indole alkaloids, arsindolines A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with six known indole alkaloids, were isolated from a marine‐derived bacterium strain CB101, identified as Aeromonas sp. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, and their antitumor activities were evaluated by SRB and MTT methods.     

Furanone Derivatives from Aspergillus sp. XW‐12, an Endophytic Fungus in Huperzia serrata

Two new 5‐methoxyfuran‐3(2H)‐one derivatives, huaspenone A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), together with four known ones, i.e., aspertetronin A ( 3 ), aspertetronin B ( 4 ), gregatin E ( 5 ), and penicilliol A ( 6 ), were isolated from the cultures of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. XW‐12, derived from the stems of Huperzia serrata. The structures of the new isolates were established by detailed interpretation of the 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS data.     

Synthesis,Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Studies of Novel Symmetrically and Nonsymmetrically 4‐(Methoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocyclic Carbene–Silver Acetate Complexes

From the reaction of 1H‐imidazole ( 1a ), 4,5‐dichloro‐1H‐imidazole ( 1b ), 1H‐benzimidazole ( 1c ), 1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazole ( 1d ), and 1‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole ( 1f ) with methyl 4‐(bromomethyl)benzoate ( 2 ), symmetrically and nonsymmetrically 4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, 3a – 3f , were synthesized. These NHC precursors were then reacted with silver(I) acetate (AgOAc) to yield the NHC–silver acetate complexes (acetato‐κO){1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]imidazol‐2‐ylidene}silver ( 4a ), (acetato‐κO){4,5‐dichloro‐1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver ( 4b ), (acetato‐κO){1,3‐bis[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl}silver ( 4c ), (acetato‐κO){1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver ( 4d ), (acetato‐κO){4,5‐dichloro‐1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl}silver ( 4e ), and (acetato‐κO){1‐[4‐(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]‐3‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl}silver ( 4f ), respectively. The three NHC–AgOAc complexes 4a, 4c , and 4d were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All compounds studied in this work were preliminarily screened for their antimicrobial activities in vitro against Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli using the qualitative disk‐diffusion method. All NHC–AgOAc complexes exhibited weak‐to‐medium antibacterial activity with areas of clearance ranging from 4 to 7 mm at the highest amount used, while the NHC precursors showed significantly lower activity. In addition, NHC–AgOAc complexes 4a and 4b , and 4d – 4f exhibited in preliminary cytotoxicity tests on the human renal‐cancer cell line Caki‐1 medium‐to‐high cytotoxicities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.3±0.4 to 68.3±1 μM .     

Ophiobolin Sesterterpenoids and Pyrrolidine Alkaloids from the Sponge‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus ustus

Chemical examination of the fungus Aspergillus ustus isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Suberites domuncula yielded the five new ophiobolin‐type sesterterpenoids 1 – 5 and the two new pyrrolidine alkaloids 6 and 7 , together with the known compound aurantiamine and cerebroside D. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic‐data analysis (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS, and UV) and comparison with literature data. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against murine lymphoma cell line L5178Y.     

Sesterterpenes and 2H‐Pyran‐2‐ones (=α‐Pyrones) from the Mangrove‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Fusarium proliferatum MA‐84

Two new tricyclic sesterterpenes, fusaprolifins A and B ( 1 and 2 ), and three new 2H‐pyran‐2‐one derivatives, prolipyrones A – C ( 3 – 5 ), were isolated and characterized from Fusarium proliferatum MA‐84, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh tissue of the marine mangrove plant Bruguiera sexangula. In addition, two known sesterterpenes, terpestacin ( 6 ) and fusaproliferin ( 7 ), and one known 2H‐pyran‐2‐one derivative, gibepyrone D ( 8 ), were also identified. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses. Fusaprolifin A ( 1 ) showed moderate activity against brine shrimp (Artemia salina), with a lethality rate of 49.5% at 100 μg/ml, while fusaprolifin B ( 2 ) showed weak activity.     

Synthesis of N,N‐Dialkyl‐9‐oxoacridine‐10(9H)‐carbothioamides via the Reaction of (2‐Halophenyl)(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)methanones with Secondary Amines,Followed by Cyclization with NaH

The first preparation of acridin‐9(10H)‐ones carrying a tertiary thiocarbamoyl group at C(10), i.e., N,N‐dialkyl‐9‐oxoacridine‐10(9H)‐carbothioamides 9 , is described. The method is based on the reaction of (2‐halophenyl)(2‐isothiocyanatophenyl)methanones 7 , prepared from (2‐aminophenyl)(2‐halophenyl)methanones 5 by a convenient three‐step sequence, with secondary amines in DMF at room temperature to generate the corresponding thiourea derivatives 8 in situ, which are treated with NaH at 100–120° to provide the desired products in one‐pot reactions in generally good yields.     

Cytotoxic Naphtho‐γ‐pyrones from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus tubingensis (GX1‐5E)

Four new dimeric naphtho‐γ‐pyrones, named rubasperone D ( 1 ), rubasperone E ( 2 ), rubasperone F ( 3 ), and its atropisomer rubasperone G ( 4 ), together with four known monomeric naphtho‐γ‐pyrones, TMC 256 A1 ( 5 ), rubrofusarin B ( 6 ), fonsecin ( 7 ), and flavasperone ( 8 ), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Aspergillus tubingensis (GX1‐5E) cultivated in solid rice medium. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including IR, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and MS. In the in vitro cytotoxicity assays, 5 displayed inhibitory activities against tumor cell lines of MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐435, Hep3B, Huh7, SNB19, and U87 MG with IC₅₀ values between 19.92 and 47.98 μM . Compounds 1, 6 , and 8 also showed mild cytotoxic activity.     

Stereoselective Total Synthesis of Iso‐Cladospolide B and the 12 Membered‐Macrolactone (6S,12R)‐6‐Hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecane‐2,5‐dione

Total syntheses of iso‐cladospolide B ( 1 ) and the 12‐membered macrolactone (6S,12R)‐6‐hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecane‐2,5‐dione ( 2 ), a non‐natural product, were achieved from a common intermediate starting from commercially available 1,9‐nonane diol.