Flavusides A and B, antibacterial cerebrosides from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavus

Flavusides A (1) and B (2), two new antibacterial cerebroside derivatives, and the previously described phomaligol A (3), kojic acid (4), methyl kojic acid (5), and dimethyl kojic acid (6) have been isolated from the extract of a marine isolate of the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of two cerebrosides were assigned on the basis of NMR and Tandem FAB-MS/MS experiments. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibited a mild antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and multidrug-resistant S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for each strain are as follows: compounds 1 and 2 showed 15.6 μg/ml for S. aureus and 31.2 μg/ml for methicillin-resistant S. aureus and multidrug-resistant S. aureus, and compound 3 exhibited 31.2 μg/ml for S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 62.5 μg/ml for multidrug-resistant S. aureus.     

Terretonin D1, a new meroterpenoid from marine-derived Aspergillus terreus ML-44

A new meroterpenoid, named terretonin D1 (1), and three known ones, terretonin (2), terretonin A (3), and terretonin D (4), were isolated from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus ML-44. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and the absolute configuration was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The anti-inflammation activity of 1–4 was preliminarily tested, and all of them weakly inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) production of RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with inhibitory rates of 22–34% at 50?μg/mL.     

New quinazolinone alkaloids within rare amino acid residue from coral-associated fungus, Aspergillus versicolor LCJ-5-4

Cottoquinazoline D (3), a new alkaloid with a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid residue rarely discovered in nature, was isolated and identified together with two new quinazolinone alkaloids, cottoquinazolines B (1) and C (2), from coral-associated fungus Aspergillus versicolor LCJ-5-4. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods, X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, and chemical methods. A possible biogenetic pathway for them was proposed.     

Absolute configuration of aflastatin A, a specific inhibitor of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus

Aflastatin A (1) is a specific inhibitor of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. It has the novel structure of a tetramic acid derivative with a long alkyl side chain. The absolute configurations of 29 chiral centers contained in 1 were chemically elucidated in this study. First, four small fragment molecules were prepared from 1 or its methyl ether (2), and their absolute structures were assigned as N-methyl-D-alanine, (2S,4R)-2, 4-dimethyl-1,6-hexanediol dibenzoate, (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid, and (R)-1,2,4-butanetriol tribenzoate. Next, an acyclic fragment molecule 3 with 13 chiral centers was obtained from 1 by NaIO(4) oxidation, and its relative stereochemistry was elucidated by J-based configuration analysis. By analyzing coupling constants of (3)J(H,H) and (2,3)J(C,H) and ROE data, the relative configuration of 3 was verified. Finally, by further J-based configuration analysis using a fragment molecule 7 prepared from 2 with 28 chiral carbons, all relative configurations in the alkyl side chain of 1 were clarified. By connecting these relative configurations with the absolute configurations of first four fragment molecules, the absolute stereochemistry of 1 was fully determined.     

A new pregnane steroid from cultures of Aspergillus versicolor

A new pregnane steroid, named aspergillon A (1), together with two known compounds, (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol (2) and (22E, 24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (3) were isolated from cultures of the tin mine tailings-associated fungus Aspergillus versicolor. The new structure and absolute configuration were determined with the help of extensive spectroscopic analyses and quantum chemical calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.     

Golmaenone, a new diketopiperazine alkaloid from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp

A new diketopiperazine alkaloid, golmaenone (1). and related alkaloids, neoechinulin A (2). and L-alanyl-L-tryptophan anhydride (3). have been isolated from the culture broth of the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of the new compound (1). was assigned by spectroscopic methods and the advanced Marfey's method. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited a significant radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC(50) values of 20 and 24 microM, respectively, which are similar to the positive control, ascorbic acid (IC(50), 20 microM). Compounds 1 and 2 also showed an ultraviolet-A (UV-A) (320--390 nm) protecting activity with ED(50) values of 90 and 170 microM, respectively, which are more active than oxybenzone (ED(50), 350 microM) currently being used as sunscreen.     

A new sesquiterpene from an endophytic Aspergillus versicolor strain

A new sesquiterpene, albican-1,14-diol (1), and seven known compounds, including sterigmatocystin (2), 3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(4'-hydroxyphenoxy) pyrrolidin-2-one (3), (1H-indol-3-yl) oxoacetamide (4), indole-3-carboxylic acid (5), indole-3-acetic acid (6), indole-3-carboxaldehyde (7), and volemolide (8), were isolated from the cultures of Aspergillus versicolor, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine green alga Codium fragile. The structure of 1 was elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. The bioassay results showed that 1 possessed potent activity against brine shrimp, Escherichia coli, and Staphyloccocus aureus.     

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.     

New metabolites from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

A new alkaloid, fumiquinazoline K (1), and a new nordammarane triterpenoid (2), together with three known diketopiperazines (3-5) and tryptoquivaline F (6) have been isolated from a marine strain of Aspergillus fumigatus KMM 4 631 associated with the soft coral Sinularia sp. Their structures were determined by HR-MS and 1D and 2D NMR. Compounds 3-5 exhibit weak cytotoxicity against cytoplasm non-specific esterase in Ehrlich carcinoma cells. Compound 3 also induces early apoptosis of the same cells in a non-toxic range of concentrations.     

Aspergillolide,a new 12-membered macrolide from sea cucumber-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. S-3-75

Abstract

A new 12-membered macrolide, aspergillolide (1), along with nine known compounds (2–10), were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus sp. S-3-75 associated with the sea cucumber Holothuria nobilis Selenka. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of 1 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

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.     

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.     

1H and 13C NMR assignments of two new indolic enamide diastereomers from a mangrove endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp

Terpeptin A (1) and B (2), two new members of the indolic enamides, along with three known compounds (3-5) were identified from a strain of Aspergillus sp. (w-6), an endophytic fungus associated with Acanthus ilicifolius. The complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments for these compounds were carried out using (1)H, (13)C, DEPT, COSY, HMQC, and HMBC NMR experiments. Terpeptin A and B exhibited modest cytotoxicity against A-549 cell line.     

Butyrolactones from Aspergillus terreus

In the process development of lovastatin using Aspergillus terreus DRCC 152 in solid state fermentation, we have isolated a new butyrolactone-IV (3) along with the previously reported butyrolactone-I (1) and butyrolactone-II (2) produced under submerged conditions. The structure of compound 3 has been characterized as 3-hydroxy-5-[2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2(R)-2,3-dihydro-benzo[b]furan- 5 ylmethyl]-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxycarbonyl-(5R)-2,5-dihydro-2 -furanone on the basis of spectroscopic studies. The absolute stereochemistry has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of these compounds were determined.     

Steroids and an oxylipin from an algicolous isolate of Aspergillus flavus

A new oxylipin, (8E,12Z)-10,11-dihydroxyoctadeca-8,12-dienoic acid (1), a new steroid, 3β,4α-dihydroxy-26-methoxyergosta-7,24(28)-dien-6-one (2), and four known steroids, episterol (3), (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3β,5α,6α-triol (4), (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (5), and (22E,24R)-ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (6), were isolated from the cultures of Aspergillus flavus, an endophytic fungus isolated from the marine red alga Corallina officinalis. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. 1 and 2 exhibited low activity to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and no activity against plant pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum lagenarium and Fusarium oxysporum.     

Novofumigatonin, a new orthoester meroterpenoid from Aspergillus novofumigatus

Novofumigatonin (1), a new metabolite, has been isolated from Aspergillus novofumigatus. The structure and relative stereochemistry were determined from HR ESI MS, one- and two-dimensional NMR, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The absolute configuration was assigned using vibrational circular dichroism in combination with density functional calculations.     

A new meroterpenoid from the marine fungus Aspergillus versicolor (Vuill.) Tirab.

A new meroterpenoid asperdemin (1) and two known compounds, viz., diorcinol (2) and viridicatol (3), were isolated from the marine fungus Aspergillus versicolor. The structures of these compounds were established by NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrome-try. The absolute stereochemistry of 1 was determined by modified Mosher’s method. The antimicrobial activity of the total extract from A. versicolor was attributed to diorcinol (2). Asperdemin exhibits weak cytostatic and membranolytic activities in developing embryos of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus.     

Aurasperone F--a new member of the naphtho-gamma-pyrone class isolated from a cultured microfungus, Aspergillus niger C-433

A novel dimeric naphtho-gamma-pyrone, named aurasperone F (1), was isolated from the fermentation broth of the culture extracts of Aspergillus niger C-433, isolated from grapes, along with the known compounds fonsecin (2), aurasperone B (3), aurasperone C (4), aurasperone D (5) and aurasperone E (6). The chemical structure of the new natural product was established by extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic studies (1H, 13C, COSY, HMQC, 1D NOE spectra), as well as on the UV, MS and IR spectral analysis.     

New cytotoxic 14-membered macrolides from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus ostianus

Three new 14-membered macrolides, named aspergillides A, B, and C (1, 5, and 7), were isolated from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus ostianus strain 01F313, cultured in a medium composed of bromine-modified artificial seawater. The structures of the new compounds were determined by analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Their absolute configurations were elucidated by the modified Mosher's method and chemical conversions. The new compounds showed cytotoxic activity against mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells (L1210).     

A new pentanorlanostane derivative, cladosporide A, as a characteristic antifungal agent against Aspergillus fumigatus, isolated from Cladosporium sp

In the course of searching for new antifungal agents, a new pentanorlanostane derivative, cladosporide A (1), was isolated along with ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide and 23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanost-8-ene-3beta,22-diol (2) from Cladosporium sp. as a characteristic antifungal agent against the human pathogenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The structure of 1 was established as 3beta,22-dihydroxy-23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanostane-29-al by spectroscopic and chemical investigation and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Inhibitory activity against A. fumigatus (IC80 0.5-4.0 microg/ml) was observed for cladosporide A (1), but no activity was observed against pathogenic yeasts, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and other pathogenic filamentous fungi, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus. The 4beta-aldehyde residue in 1 might be essential for the antifungal activity, since 23,24,25,26,27-pentanorlanost-8-ene-3beta,22-diol (2) showed no inhibition against the above four fungi.