Penicamins A-L, Polyoxygenated Diterpenes from Penicillium camemberti JSB-7212.

Penicamins A-L (1-12), 12 highly oxygenated novel diterpenes, were obtained from the fungus Penicillium camemberti JSB-7212. Compounds 1-12 share the same 7/6/5 tricyclic skeleton as valparane-type diterpenes but differ in the absolute configurations at C-7, C-11, and C-14, as well as in the oxidation levels at C-6 and C-8, which were determined through extensive spectroscopic data interpretation. Stereochemical assignments of compounds 1, 2, and 4-12 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the absolute configuration of 3 was determined by analysis of the NOESY data and biogenetic consideration. Compounds 2 and 3 were immunosuppressive against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced B cells, with IC50 values of 3.0 and 7.9 µM, respectively. They also moderately suppressed concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T cell proliferation, with IC50 values of 19 and 20 µM, respectively.

Diaporaustalides A-L, Austalide Meroterpenoids from a Plant Endophytic Diaporthe sp.

Twelve new austalide meroterpenoids (1-12) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. XC1211. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, whereas those for the others were established by experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data analysis. Compounds 1-12 represent a rare class of austalides with a 24α-CH3. Compounds 2 and 5 demonstrated potent proliferation inhibitory effects against LPS-induced B cells with IC50 values of 6.7 (SI = 3.6) and 3.8 (SI > 13) µM, respectively. Compounds 2 and 5 decreased the secretion of IL-6 in LPS-induced B cells in a dose-dependent manner.

[Natural 5α-reductase inhibitors in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is a common disease of the male urinary system, and its incidence rate in China is increasing. However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH remains unclear. Some studies demonstrated that the incidence of BPH was related to the change in the levels of steroid hormones. Too high content of dihydrotestosterone(DHT) in the body may cause BPH and other related diseases. Testosterone(T) is converted to DHT by 5α-reductase(SRD5A). By inhibiting the activity of this enzyme, the production of DHT can be reduced, and then the incidence of BPH can be lowered. Therefore, it has drawn great attention to screen and discover safer and more effective 5α-reductase inhibitors from natural medicines to treat prostatic hyperplasia without affecting the physiological function of men. This review summarizes the characteristics and tissue distribution of 5α-reductase, the discovery of 5α-reductase inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicine and natural medicines, 5α-reductase inhibitors commonly used in clinical practice and their side effects, as well as the animal models of prostatic hyperplasia and common detection indicators, aiming to provide a reference for more in-depth understanding and research about BPH and development of drugs.

Peniandranoids A-E: Meroterpenoids with Antiviral and Immunosuppressive Activity from a Penicillium sp.

Peniandranoids A-E (1-5), five new meroterpenoids, together with three known analogues (6-8), were isolated from the fermentation of a soil-derived fungus, Penicillium sp.sb62. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 5 were further elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Peniandranoids A-E belong to a rare class of andrastin-type meroterpenoids incorporating an extra polyketide unit (a C10 polyketide unit for 1 and 2, a C9 polyketide unit for 3 and 4, and a furancarboxylic acid unit for 5). Compounds 1 and 6 exhibited favorable inhibitory activities against influenza virus A (H1N1) with EC50 values of 19 and 14 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds 3-8 exhibited potent immunosuppressive activities against concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation with EC50 values ranging from 4.3 to 27 µM and lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell proliferation with EC50 values ranging from 7.5 to 23 µM, respectively.

Peniandrastins A-H: Andrastin-type meroterpenoids with immunosuppressive activity from a Penicillium sp.

Eight unreported andrastin-type meroterpenoids, namely peniandrastins A-H (1-8), along with six known analogues (9-14), were isolated from the fermentation of a soil-derived fungus Penicillium sp.sb62. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by detailed analyses of the spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-4 belong to a rare class of 21-nor-andrastin meroterpenoids, of which 1 bears a 10-hydroperoxyl group, and 2 and 3 feature a 6/6/6/5/5 and a 6/6/6/5/6 pentacyclic systems, respectively. Compounds 5-8 are C25 andrastin-type meroterpenoids, wherein 5 features an unprecedented cyclopentan-1-keton-3-hemiacetal moiety. Additionally, the absolute configuration of compound 9 was corroborated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography for the first time. All isolates were evaluated for their immunosuppressive activities. As a result, compounds 1, 3, 4, 7-9 and 12-14 inhibited concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 7.49 to 36.52 µM, and 1-4, 6-9 and 12-14 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 6.73 to 26.27 µM. The preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) of those isolates were also discussed.

Ilyomycins A - K, radicicol-type resorcylic acid lactones as potential immunosuppressants from a soil-derived Ilyonectria sp.

Eleven previously undescribed radicicol-type resorcylic acid lactones (RALs), namely ilyomycins A - K (1-9, 10a and 10b), were isolated and identified from the fermented rice culture of a soil-derived fungus, Ilyonectria sp. (strain sb65). Their gross structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, the modified Mosher's method, and Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced electronic circular dichroism (ICD) experiment. Among them, 10a and 10b were a pair of inseparable regioisomers via intramolecular transacetylation. Compounds 3, 7, 8 and 10a/10b displayed immunosuppressive activities against T cell proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 21.7 µM, and against B cell proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 1.1 to 20.1 µM, which suggested that the α, ß-unsaturated ketone from C-8 to C-10 was an important pharmacophore. Further study revealed that ilyomycin C (3) exerted anti-proliferative effect on T lymphocytes through Hsp90 inhibition.

[11]-chaetoglobosins with cytotoxic activities from Pseudeurotium bakeri.

Fourteen new [11]-chaetoglobosins (1-14), along with two known congeners, cytochalasins X and Y (15 and 16), were isolated from the cultures of an endophytic fungus Pseudeurotium bakeri P1-1-1. Their structures incorporating absolute configurations were elucidated based on the comprehensive analyses of one- and two-dimensional NMR data, HRESIMS spectrometry, chemical methods, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (Cu Kα). All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities and chaetopseudeurin M (1) displayed significant cytotoxic effects against seven human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 5.1 ± 0.9 to 10.8 ± 0.1 µM. Western blot experiments exhibited that compound 1 exerted its cytotoxic effect in MCF-7 cells by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via downregulating the expression of cyclin B1 and Cdk1, and activating Bcl-2/caspase-3/PARP pathway, respectively.

TRAIL-sensitizing Cytochalasins from the Endophytic Fungus Phoma multirostrata.

Seven undescribed cytochalasins, multirostratins K - Q (2: -8: ), together with one known analogue, cytochalasin Z3 (1: ), were isolated from the culture of Phoma multirostrata XJ-2-1, an endophytic fungus obtained from the root of Parasenecio albus. Their structures with absolute configurations were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and chemical methods. The structure of ascochalasin was revised from Δ 13 to Δ 21 by detailed analysis of the NMR data and by comparison with the data for 7: . In a TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand)-resistance-overcoming experiment, co-treatment of 2: or 6: with TRAIL reduced the cell viability of A549 cells by 30.3% and 27.5% at 10 µM, respectively.