Neuroprotective Metabolites from Vietnamese Marine Derived Fungi of Aspergillus and Penicillium Genera.

Low molecular weight secondary metabolites of marine fungi Aspergillus flocculosus, Aspergillus terreus and Penicillium sp. from Van Phong and Nha Trang Bays (Vietnam) were studied and a number of polyketides, bis-indole quinones and terpenoids were isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS techniques. Stereochemistry of some compounds was established based on ECD data. A chemical structure of asterriquinone F (6) was thoroughly described for the first time. Anthraquinone (13) was firstly obtained from a natural source. Neuroprotective influences of the isolated compounds against 6-OHDA, paraquat and rotenone toxicity were investigated. 4-Hydroxyscytalone (1), 4-hydroxy-6-dehydroxyscytalone (2) and demethylcitreoviranol (3) have shown significant increasing of paraquat- and rotenone-treated Neuro-2a cell viability and anti-ROS activity.

Biologically Active Metabolites from the Marine Sediment-Derived Fungus Aspergillus flocculosus.

Four new compounds were isolated from the Vietnamese marine sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus flocculosus, one aspyrone-related polyketide aspilactonol G (2), one meroterpenoid 12-epi-aspertetranone D (4), two drimane derivatives (7,9), together with five known metabolites (1,3,5,6,8,10). The structures of compounds 1-10 were established by NMR and MS techniques. The absolute stereoconfigurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by a modified Mosher's method. The absolute configurations of compounds 4 and 7 were established by a combination of analysis of ROESY data and coupling constants as well as biogenetic considerations. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited cytotoxic activity toward human prostate cancer 22Rv1, human breast cancer MCF-7, and murine neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells.

Biologically Active Echinulin-Related Indolediketopiperazines from the Marine Sediment-Derived Fungus Aspergillus niveoglaucus.

Seven known echinulin-related indolediketopiperazine alkaloids (1-7) were isolated from the Vietnamese sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus niveoglaucus. Using chiral HPLC, the enantiomers of cryptoechinuline B (1) were isolated as individual compounds for the first time. (+)-Cryptoechinuline B (1a) exhibited neuroprotective activity in 6-OHDA-, paraquat-, and rotenone-induced in vitro models of Parkinson's disease. (-)-Cryptoechinuline B (1b) and neoechinulin C (5) protected the neuronal cells against paraquat-induced damage in a Parkinson's disease model. Neoechinulin B (4) exhibited cytoprotective activity in a rotenone-induced model, and neoechinulin (7) showed activity in the 6-OHDA-induced model.

Neuroprotective Activity of Some Marine Fungal Metabolites in the 6-Hydroxydopamin- and Paraquat-Induced Parkinson's Disease Models.

A new melatonin analogue 6-hydroxy-N-acetyl-ß-oxotryptamine (1) was isolated from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KMM 4672. It is the second case of melatonin-related compounds isolation from microfilamentous fungi. The neuroprotective activities of this metabolite, as well as 3-methylorsellinic acid (2) and 8-methoxy-3,5-dimethylisochroman-6-ol (3) from Penicillium sp. KMM 4672, candidusin A (4) and 4″-dehydroxycandidusin A (5) from Aspergillus sp. KMM 4676, and diketopiperazine mactanamide (6) from Aspergillus flocculosus, were investigated in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)- and paraquat (PQ)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) cell models. All of them protected Neuro2a cells against the damaging influence of 6-OHDA to varying degrees. This effect may be realized via a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging pathway. The new melatonin analogue more effectively protected Neuro2A cells against the 6-OHDA-induced neuronal death, in comparison with melatonin, as well as against the PQ-induced neurotoxicity. Dehydroxylation at C-3″ and C-4″ significantly increased free radical scavenging and neuroprotective activity of candidusin-related p-terphenyl polyketides in both the 6-OHDA- and PQ-induced PD models.

Asperindoles A⁻D and a p-Terphenyl Derivative from the Ascidian-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp. KMM 4676.

Four new indole-diterpene alkaloids asperindoles A⁻D (1⁻4) and the known p-terphenyl derivative 3″-hydroxyterphenyllin (5) were isolated from the marine-derived strain of the fungus Aspergillus sp., associated with an unidentified colonial ascidian. The structures of 1⁻5 were established by 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of all stereocenters of 1⁻4 were determined by the combination of ROESY data, coupling constants analysis, and biogenetic considerations. Asperindoles C and D contain a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) residue, rarely found in natural compounds. Asperindole A exhibits cytotoxic activity against hormone therapy-resistant PC-3 and 22Rv1, as well as hormone therapy-sensitive human prostate cancer cells, and induces apoptosis in these cells at low-micromolar concentrations.

Pretrichodermamides D-F from a Marine Algicolous Fungus Penicillium sp. KMM 4672.

Three new epidithiodiketopiperazines pretrichodermamides D-F (1-3), together with the known N-methylpretrichodermamide B (4) and pretrichodermamide С (5), were isolated from the lipophilic extract of the marine algae-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KMM 4672. The structures of compounds 1-5 were determined based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of pretrichodermamide D (1) was established by a combination of modified Mosher's method, NOESY data, and biogenetic considerations. N-Methylpretrichodermamide B (5) showed strong cytotoxicity against 22Rv1 human prostate cancer cells resistant to androgen receptor targeted therapies.

Oxirapentyns F-K from the marine-sediment-derived fungus Isaria felina KMM 4639.

Six new highly oxygenated chromene derivatives, oxirapentyns F-K (2-7), one new polyketide (8), one new benzofurane (9), and two known cyclodepsipeptides, isoisariin B and isaridin E, were isolated from the lipophilic extract of the marine-derived fungus Isaria felina KMM 4639. The structures of compounds 2-9 were determined using spectroscopic methods. The relative configurations of compounds 2-7 were established through a combination of NOE data and spin coupling constants, and these results were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 4. The absolute structures of all oxirapentyns were assumed based on their biogenetic relationship and confirmed using the modified Mosher's method on 2 and 7. Isariketide (8) showed moderate cytotoxicity toward HL-60 cells.

Citriperazines A-D produced by a marine algae-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KMM 4672.

Four new diketopiperazine alkaloids, citriperazines A-D were isolated from algae-derived Penicillium sp. KMM 4672. The structures of compounds 1-4 were determined using spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 4 were established by comparison of calculated and experimental ECD spectra. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-4 against several human prostate cell lines was evaluated.

Auroglaucin-related neuroprotective compounds from Vietnamese marine sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus niveoglaucus.

Two new auroglaucin-derived compounds, niveoglaucins A (1) and B (2), together with four known related compounds were isolated from extract of the marine sediment-derived strain of Aspergillus niveoglaucus. The structures of these compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high resolution MS. The plausible biosynthetic pathway was proposed for new compounds 1 and 2. The neuroprotective activity in 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease cell model was shown for niveoglaucin A (1).

Bromoalterochromides A and A', unprecedented chromopeptides from a marine Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris strain KMM 636T.

The marine strain Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris KMM 636T was found to produce an inseparable mixture of two brominated yellow main pigments, bromoalterochromide A and A', in a ratio of 3: 1. Both pigments are Thr-Val-Asn-Asn-X pentapeptide lactones, where the amino group of Thr is acylated with 9-(3-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid, and X is aIle and Leu, respectively. They possess cytotoxic effects on developing eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, but no antibiotic activity.

Influence of the Metabolites of the Marine Algicolous Fungus Penicillium sp. on Seedling Root Growth of Agricultural Plants.

N-Methylpretrichodermamide B (I), pretrichodermamide C (H), quinolactacide (III) and 8-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-IH-isochromen-6-ol (IV), isolated from the marine fungus Penicillium sp., were examined for their ability to stimulate growth of seedling roots of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soy {Glycine max (L.) Merr.}, and barley (Hordeum vulgare), It was shown that the stimulatory effects depend on the chemical structure of the compounds and on the plant species. Compounds I and III improved the rate of growth of seedling roots of buckwheat (1) and wheat (2), compound II stimulated growth of buckwheat roots (1), and compound IV improved growth of seedling roots of wheat (2) and soy (3). These compounds can be recommended for field study as plant growth stimulators.

New Metabolites from a Marine Sediment-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus carneus.

A new polyketide 1 and a new decaline derivative 2 were isolated from a sediment-derived fungus Aspergillus carneus Blochwitz, together with one known bisabolane sesquiterpenoid and seven known polyketide metabolites. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by HR-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic and antiradical activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated.

Oxirapentyns A, B and E from the marine-derived strain of Isaria felina KMM 4639 as stimulators of initial stages of development of agricultural plants.

Oxirapentyn A (1), oxirapentyn B (2), and oxirapentyn E (3) were examined for their ability to stimulate growth of seedling roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), corn (Zea mays L.), soy {Glycine max (L.) Merr.}, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It was shown that the stimulatory effects depend on the chemical structure of the oxirapentyns and on the plant species. Compounds 1, and 2 are efficient for growth of seedling roots of barley, and wheat, whereas compound 3, at different concentrations, stimulates growth of seedling roots of maize, soy, and wheat. These compounds can be recommended for field study as plant growth stimulators.

Decumbenone C, a new cytotoxic decaline derivative from the marine fungus Aspergillus sulphureus KMM 4640.

A new decaline derivative, decumbenone C (1) along with four known compounds, decumbenones A (2) and B (3), diorcinol (4), and brevianamide F (5) were isolated from the marine fungus Aspergillus sulphureus KMM 4640. Decumbenone C shows potent cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL-5 human melanoma cells with IC(50) values of 0.9 µM.

Indole alkaloids produced by a marine fungus isolate of Penicillium janthinellum Biourge.

Three new indole alkaloids, shearinines D, E, and F (1-3), together with the known shearinine A (4) were isolated from the marine-derived strain of the fungus Penicillium janthinellum Biourge. The chemical structures of 1-4 were established by 2D NMR and HREIMS data. Shearinines A, D, and E induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells, and shearinine E also inhibits EGF-induced malignant transformation of JB6 P+ Cl 41 cells in a soft agar.