Isocoumarin derivatives and benzofurans from a sponge-derived Penicillium sp. fungus

Isobenzofuranones and Isochromenones from the Deep-Sea Derived Fungus Leptosphaeria sp. SCSIO 41005

Four new isobenzofuranones, leptosphaerins J–M (1–4), including an unusual naturally-occurring centrosymmetric dimer skeleton (1), and two new isochromenones, clearanols I–J (9–10), were obtained from a culture of a deep-sea sediment-derived fungus Leptosphaeria sp. SCSIO 41005, together with four known isobenzofuranones (5–8) and six known isochromenones (11–16). These structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and absolute configurations were assigned on the basis of electronic circular dichroism and optical rotations data comparison. Additionally, the absolute configurations of the new compounds 1 and 9, together with the known one 7 with stereochemistry undetermined, were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of these isobenzofuranones and isochromenones was also proposed.

Chemical diversity from the Tibetan Plateau fungi Penicillium kongii and P. brasilianum

Two new secondary metabolites, kongiilines A and B (1, 7), and two asperphenamate derivatives, asperphenamates B and C (5–6), together with 16 known compounds (2–4, 8–20), were isolated from Tibetan Plateau fungi Penicillium kongii and Penicillium brasilianum. This is the first report on asperphenamates B and C as naturally occurring compounds, and that aspterric acid is isolated from P. brasilianum for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by different spectroscopic techniques including high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrum, 1D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 2D NMR as well as electronic circular dichroism. Compounds 4, 5, and 10 exhibited cytotoxicity activities against human colon carcinoma HCT116 cell line with IC₅₀ values of 88.16, 77.68, and 36.92 μM, respectively. Fungi from Tibetan Plateau represent important and rich resources for the investigation of new chemicals.

Antimicrobial metabolites from the plant endophytic fungus Penicillium sp

Five rare dichloro aromatic polyketides (1-5) were obtained from an endophytic fungus Penicillium sp., along with five known metabolites (6-10). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, Mosher methods, as well as [Rh₂(OCOCF₃)₄]-induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. Compounds 2-4 and 6 structurally involved acyclic 1.3-diols, the uneasy configuration determinations of which were well carried out by double-derivation NMR methods. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against five strains of human pathogenic microorganisms. Helvolic acid (7) showed potent inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values of 5.8 and 4.6μg/mL, respectively.

Dihydroisocoumarins from the Mangrove-Derived Fungus Penicillium citrinum

Three new dihydroisocoumarin penicimarins G-I (1-3), together with one known dihydroisocoumarin (4) and three known meroterpenoids (5-7), were obtained from a fungus Penicillium citrinum isolated from the mangrove Bruguiera sexangula var. rhynchopetala collected in the South China Sea. Their structures were elucidated by the detailed analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the X-ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα radiation. The absolute configurations of 2 and 3 were determined by comparison of their circular dichroism (CD) spectra with the literature. All compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities and cytotoxic activities.

Expeditious Synthesis of Isoquinolones and Isocoumarins with a Vinyl Borane as an Acetylene Equivalent

An innovative and simple expeditious synthesis of 3,4-unsubstituted isoquinolones and isocoumarins starting from safe and easy to handle two-carbon acetylene equivalent was developed. The synthetic potential of this new method was further demonstrated in the facile total synthesis of two naturally occurring alkaloids: corydaldine and doryanine.

Isocoumarins, miraculous natural products blessed with diverse pharmacological activities

Isocoumarins are lactonic natural products abundant in microbes and higher plants. These are considered an amazing scaffold consecrated with more or less all types of pharmacological applications. This review is complementary to the earlier reviews and aims to focus the overlooked aspects of their fascinating chemistry with special emphasis on their classification and diverse biological activities with some SAR conclusions. The most recent available literature on the structural diversity and biological activity of these natural products has been reviewed.

Bioactive Compounds Produced by Strains of Penicillium and Talaromyces of Marine Origin

In recent years, the search for novel natural compounds with bioactive properties has received a remarkable boost in view of their possible pharmaceutical exploitation. In this respect the sea is entitled to hold a prominent place, considering the potential of the manifold animals and plants interacting in this ecological context, which becomes even greater when their associated microbes are considered for bioprospecting. This is the case particularly of fungi, which have only recently started to be considered for their fundamental contribution to the biosynthetic potential of other more valued marine organisms. Also in this regard, strains of species which were previously considered typical terrestrial fungi, such as Penicillium and Talaromyces, disclose foreground relevance. This paper offers an overview of data published over the past 25 years concerning the production and biological activities of secondary metabolites of marine strains belonging to these genera, and their relevance as prospective drugs.

Isocoumarins and benzofurans from the mangrove endophytic fungus Talaromyces amestolkiae possess α-glucosidase inhibitory and antibacterial activities

Six new isocoumarins, compounds1–4and14–15, two new benzofurans,16–17, along with nine known isocoumarin analogues,5–13were obtained from the mangrove endophytic fungusTalaromyces amestolkiaeYX1.

Marine natural products sourced from marine-derived Penicillium fungi

Marine micro-organisms have been proven to be a major source of marine natural products (MNPs) in recent years, in which filamentous fungi are a vital source of bioactive natural products for their large metagenomes and more complex genetic backgrounds. This review highlights the 390 new MNPs from marine-derived Penicillium fungi during 1991 to 2014. These new MNPs are categorized based on the environment sources of the fungal hosts and their bioactivities are summarized.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2013 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 982 citations (644 for the period January to December 2013) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1163 for 2013), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

Antibacterial products of marine organisms

Marine organisms comprising microbes, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates elaborate an impressive array of structurally diverse antimicrobial products ranging from small cyclic compounds to macromolecules such as proteins. Some of these biomolecules originate directly from marine animals while others arise from microbes associated with the animals. It is noteworthy that some of the biomolecules referred to above are structurally unique while others belong to known classes of compounds, peptides, and proteins. Some of the antibacterial agents are more active against Gram-positive bacteria while others have higher effectiveness on Gram-negative bacteria. Some are efficacious against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against drug-resistant strains as well. The mechanism of antibacterial action of a large number of the chemically identified antibacterial agents, possible synergism with currently used antibiotics, and the issue of possible toxicity on mammalian cells and tissues await elucidation. The structural characteristics pivotal to antibacterial activity have been ascertained in only a few studies. Demonstration of efficacy of the antibacterial agents in animal models of bacterial infection is highly desirable. Structural characterization of the active principles present in aqueous and organic extracts of marine organisms with reportedly antibacterial activity would be desirable.

Chromone derivatives from a sponge-derived strain of the fungus Corynespora cassiicola

Twelve new chromone derivatives, corynechromones A-L (1-12), were isolated from the sponge-derived fungus Corynespora cassiicola XS-200900I7. Among them, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 were pairs of epimers. The planar structures were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1-10 were assigned by the modified Mosher's method and TDDFT ECD calculations together with comparison of their CD spectra. These are the first chromone derivatives reported from the genus Corynespora. A possible rule to determine the absolute configurations at C-2 in chromone derivatives by CD was proposed.

Subergorgiaols A-L, 9,10-secosteroids from the South China Sea gorgonian Subergorgia rubra

Twelve new 9,10-secosteroids designated as subergorgiaols A-L (1-12), along with four known analogues (13-16), were isolated from the gorgonian Subergorgia rubra collected from the South China Sea. Their planar structures and the relative configurations were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods including NOESY spectra. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by a dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo2(AcO)4] induced circular dichroism (ICD) procedure and the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 1-12 represent the first series of 9,10-secosteroids characterized with a hydroxy group at C-8, which are 8-OH derivatives of astrogorgiadiols/calicoferols. Compound 4 exhibited cytotoxicity against the cervical carcinoma cell line (CaSki) with an IC50 value of 2.4 μM, and 6 showed toxicity toward brine shrimp Artemia salina with an LC50 value of 2.0 μM.

Isocoumarins from the fermentation products of a plant entophytic fungus Penicillium oxalicum

Three new isocoumarins, terrecoumarins A-C (1-3), together with six known isocoumarins (4-9) were isolated from the fermentation products of the fungus Penicillium oxalicum 0403. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities of 1-9 were evaluated. The results revealed that compound 1 showed high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate 25.4 ± 3.5%. Other compounds also showed weak activity with inhibition rate in the range of 11.3-18.9%.

Lumazine peptides penilumamides B-D and the cyclic pentapeptide asperpeptide A from a gorgonian-derived Aspergillus sp. fungus

Three new lumazine peptides, penilumamides B-D (2-4), and one known analogue, penilumamide (1), together with a new cyclic pentapeptide, asperpeptide A (5), were isolated from the gorgonian-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. XS-20090B15. Among them, 2 was obtained from the feeding culture with l-methionine of this strain. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical derivatization. Compounds 1-4 are rare lumazine peptides, of which 1 and 3 are formed from 2 by oxidation of the l-methionine residue.

Phenylspirodrimanes with anti-HIV activity from the sponge-derived fungus Stachybotrys chartarum MXH-X73

Seven new phenylspirodrimanes, named stachybotrins D-F (1, 3, 4), stachybocins E and F (5, 6), and stachybosides A and B (7, 8), and four known compounds (2, 9-11), were isolated from the sponge-derived fungus Stachybotrys chartarum MXH-X73. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined by chemical hydrolysis and modified Mosher's and Marfey's methods. All compounds were tested in an anti-HIV activity assay, and compound 1 showed an inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication by targeting reverse transcriptase. Further study exhibited that 1 could block NNRTIs-resistant strains (HIV-1RT-K103N, HIV-1RT-L100I,K103N, HIV-1RT-K103N,V108I, HIV-1RT-K103N,G190A, and HIV-1RT-K103N,P225H) as well as wild-type HIV-1 (HIV-1wt) with EC50 values of 7.0, 23.8, 13.3, 14.2, 6.2, and 8.4 μM, respectively.

Gymnopalynes A and B, chloropropynyl-isocoumarin antibiotics from cultures of the basidiomycete Gymnopus sp

A chlorinated isocoumarin with an acetylenyl side chain and its 3,4-dihydro derivative, named gymnopalynes A (1) and B (2), were isolated from cultures of a basidiomycete originating from the rain forest of Northern Thailand. The producing organism was identified as a species of Gymnopus (Marasmiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including UV/vis and NMR spectroscopy as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry as 3-(3-chloroprop-1-yn-1-yl)-1H-isochromen-1-one (1) and 3-(3-chloroprop-1-yn-1-yl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-isochromen-1-one (2). The absolute stereochemistry of 2 was assigned as S by CD spectroscopy. Both compounds showed weak to moderate antimicrobial and pronounced cytotoxic activities.