Meirols A-C: Bioactive Catecholic Compounds from the Marine-Derived Fungus Meira sp. 1210CH-42.

Three new catecholic compounds, named meirols A-C (2-4), and one known analog, argovin (1), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Meira sp. 1210CH-42. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS spectroscopic data. Their absolute configurations were elucidated based on ECD calculations. All the compounds exhibited strong antioxidant capabilities with EC50 values ranging from 6.01 to 7.47 µM (ascorbic acid, EC50 = 7.81 µM), as demonstrated by DPPH radical scavenging activity assays. In the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, 1 and 2 showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 184.50 and 199.70 µM, respectively (acarbose, IC50 = 301.93 µM). Although none of the isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against one normal and six solid cancer cell lines, 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the NALM6 and RPMI-8402 blood cancer cell lines with GI50 values of 9.48 and 21.00 µM, respectively. Compound 2 also demonstrated weak cytotoxicity against the NALM6 blood cancer cell line with a GI50 value of 29.40 µM.

Labdane-Type Diterpenoids from Streptomyces griseorubens and Their Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities.

Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from a marine-derived actinomycete, Streptomyces griseorubens, resulted in the discovery of five new labdane-type diterpenoids: chlorolabdans A-C (1-3), epoxylabdans A and B (4 and 5), along with one known analog (6). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis (HR-ESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR) and by comparing their experimental data with those in the literature. The new compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity, and 2 displayed significant activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 4 to 8 µg/mL. Additionally, 1, 2, and 4 were tested for their cytotoxicity against seven blood cancer cell lines by CellTiter-Glo (CTG) assay and six solid cancer cell lines by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay; 1, 2, and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activities against some blood cancer cell lines, with concentration causing 50% cell growth inhibition (IC50) values ranging from 1.2 to 22.5 µM.

Thiolactones and Δ8,9-Pregnene Steroids from the Marine-Derived Fungus Meira sp. 1210CH-42 and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity.

The fungal genus Meira was first reported in 2003 and has mostly been found on land. This is the first report of second metabolites from the marine-derived yeast-like fungus Meira sp. One new thiolactone (1), along with one revised thiolactone (2), two new Δ8,9-steroids (4, 5), and one known Δ8,9-steroid (3), were isolated from the Meira sp. 1210CH-42. Their structures were elucidated based on the comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESIMS, ECD calculations, and the pyridine-induced deshielding effect. The structure of 5 was confirmed by oxidation of 4 to semisynthetic 5. In the α-glucosidase inhibition assay, compounds 2-4 showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 148.4, 279.7, and 86.0 µM, respectively. Compounds 2-4 exhibited superior activity as compared to acarbose (IC50 = 418.9 µM).

Rifamycin-Related Polyketides from a Marine-Derived Bacterium Salinispora arenicola and Their Cytotoxic Activity.

Eight rifamycin-related polyketides were isolated from the culture broth of a marine-derived bacterium Salinispora arenicola, including five known (2-5 and 8) and three new derivatives (1, 6, and 7). The structures of the new compounds were determined by means of spectroscopic methods (HRESIMS and 1D, 2D NMR) and a comparison of their experimental data with those previously reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against one normal, six solid, and seven blood cancer cell lines and 1 showed moderate activity against all the tested cell lines with GI50 values ranging from 2.36 to 9.96 µM.

Sesquiterpenes from Streptomyces qinglanensis and Their Cytotoxic Activity.

Nine sesquiterpenes, including eight pentalenenes (1-8) and one bolinane derivative (9), were isolated from the culture broth of a marine-derived actinobacterium Streptomyces qinglanensis 213DD-006. Among them, 1, 4, 7, and 9 were new compounds. Their planar structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (HRMS, 1D, and 2D NMR), and the absolute configuration was established by biosynthesis consideration and electronic-circular-dichroism (ECD) calculations. All the isolated compounds were screened for their cytotoxicity against six solid and seven blood cancer cell lines. Compounds 4-6 and 8 showed a moderate activity against all of the tested solid cell lines, with GI50 values ranging from 1.97 to 3.46 µM.

Streptinone, a New Indanone Derivative from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces massiliensis, Inhibits Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation.

Inflammatory diseases caused by air pollution, especially from particulate matter (PM) exposure, have increased daily. Accordingly, attention to treatment or prevention for these inflammatory diseases has grown. Natural products have been recognized as promising sources of cures and prevention for not only inflammatory but also diverse illnesses. As part of our ongoing study to discover bioactive compounds from marine microorganisms, we isolated streptinone, a new indanone derivative (1), along with three known diketopiperazines (2-4) and piericidin A (5), from a marine sediment-derived Streptomyces massiliensis by chromatographic methods. The structure of 1 was elucidated based on the spectroscopic data analysis. The relative and absolute configurations of 1 were determined by 1H-1H coupling constants, 1D NOESY, and ECD calculation. The anti-inflammatory activities of 1 were evaluated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and qPCR. Compound 1 suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß, by inhibiting the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Therefore, compound 1 could potentially be used as an agent in the prevention and treatment of diverse inflammatory disorders caused by particulate matter.

Isolation, Structure Determination, and Semisynthesis of Diphenazine Compounds from a Deep-Sea-Derived Strain of the Fungus Cystobasidium laryngis and Their Biological Activities.

Phenazostatins E-J (1-6), six new diphenazine derivatives, were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the culture broth of a strain of Cystobasidium laryngis derived from deep-sea sediments of the Indian Ocean Ridge. The structures of 1-6 were elucidated based on the HRESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of 1-6, except for 3 and 6, were determined by modified Mosher's method, ECD data analysis, and calculations of optical rotation values. The absolute configurations of 3 and 6 were identified by chemical derivatization and comparing the specific rotation values with those of semisynthetic 3 obtained by the oxidation of 1 and saphenic acid (7). Phenazostatin J (6) was semisynthesized using saphenic acid (7) to prepare additional material for biological testing. During the purification of semisynthetic 6, a side product 9 was obtained from the reaction mixture along with 6. Compounds 1-6, along with previously reported 7 and 8, were assessed for anti-neuroinflammatory activity in LPS-induced BV-2 microglia cells. Compound 6 exhibited the highest anti-neuroinflammatory effect with an IC50 value of 0.30 µM, but it showed cytotoxicity at higher concentrations than 1.0 µM. Accordingly, cytotoxicities of 1-9 were evaluated against six human cancer cell lines. Among tested compounds, 6 and 9 showed potent cytotoxicity (IC50 values: 7.7-72 nM). Especially, 6 exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 7.7 nM against the NUGC-3 (stomach) cell line, displaying 19-fold stronger activity than the positive control, adriamycin.

Aspersterols A-D, Ergostane-Type Sterols with an Unusual Unsaturated Side Chain from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Aspergillus unguis.

Four previously undescribed ergostane-type sterols, aspersterols A-D (1-4), were isolated from a deep-sea-derived fungus, Aspergillus unguis IV17-109. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive analyses of their spectroscopic data, pyridine-induced deshielding effect, Mosher's method, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. The key feature of these sterols is the presence of a rare unsaturated side chain with conjugated double bonds at Δ17 and Δ22. The absolute configuration of C-24 in the side chain was determined by hydrogenation and comparing 13C NMR chemical shifts of the hydrogenated products with literature values. In addition, aspersterol A (1) is the second representative of anthrasteroids with a hydroxy group at the C-2 position. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines, with GI50 values of 3.4 ± 0.3 to 4.5 ± 0.7 µM, while 2-4 showed anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values ranging from 11.6 ± 1.6 to 19.5 ± 1.2 µM.

New Glycosylated Secondary Metabolites from Marine-Derived Bacteria.

Three new glycosylated secondary metabolites, including a new indole alkaloid, pityriacitrin D (1), and two new trehalose lipids (2 and 3), together with three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from two marine-derived bacterial strains, Bacillus siamensis 168CLC-66.1 and Tsukamurella pseudospumae IV19-045. The structures of 1-3 were determined by extensive analysis and comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values. The absolute configurations of sugar moieties were determined by chemical derivatization followed by LC-MS analysis. Cytotoxicity of 1-3 against six cancer cell lines was evaluated by SRB assay, and 1 showed moderate activity against all the tested cell lines with GI50 values ranging from 8.0 to 10.9 µM.

Nitrogen-Containing Secondary Metabolites from a Deep-Sea Fungus Aspergillus unguis and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Aspergillus is well-known as the second-largest contributor of fungal natural products. Based on NMR guided isolation, three nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, including two new compounds, variotin B (1) and coniosulfide E (2), together with a known compound, unguisin A (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the deep-sea fungus Aspergillus unguis IV17-109. The planar structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by an extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). The absolute configuration of 2 was determined by comparison of its optical rotation value with those of the synthesized analogs. Compound 2 is a rare, naturally occurring substance with an unusual cysteinol moiety. Furthermore, 1 showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 20.0 µM. These results revealed that Aspergillus unguis could produce structurally diverse nitrogenous secondary metabolites, which can be used for further studies to find anti-inflammatory leads.

New Angucycline Glycosides from a Marine-Derived Bacterium Streptomyces ardesiacus.

Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract from the culture broth of the marine-derived actinobacterium Streptomyces ardesiacus 156VN-095 led to the isolation of three hitherto undescribed angucycline glycosides, including urdamycins W and X (1 and 2) and grincamycin U (9), as well as their seven known congeners. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods (HRESIMS, 1D and 2 D NMR) and comparison of their experimental data with literature values. Compounds 1-3 and 9 were evaluated for their anti-Gram-positive bacterial effect and cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines. Compound 1 displayed significant cytotoxicity against all the tested cell lines with GI50 values of 0.019-0.104 µM. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of angucycline glycosides as leading structures for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Reisolation and Structure Revision of Asperspiropene A.

Asperspiropene A was originally reported to have a unique 1,8-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane skeleton. During the course of our ongoing research for novel marine natural products, we isolated compound 1, which has identical 1D and 2D NMR data to asperspiropene A. Detailed and careful analysis of spectroscopic data led us to revise the structure of asperspiropene A and to determine its absolute configuration.

Anti-Mycoplasma Activity of Bacilotetrins C-E, Cyclic Lipodepsipeptides from the Marine-Derived Bacillus subtilis and Structure Revision of Bacilotetrins A and B.

Mycoplasma hyorhinis most commonly causes polyserositis and arthritis in swine and is a common contaminant during the cell culture in the laboratory. In our continuing research for diverse bioactive compounds from Bacillus subtilis 109GGC020, we discovered uncommon cyclic lipotetrapeptides showing inhibitory activities against M. hyorhinis with similar structures to previously reported bacilotetrins A and B. Bacilotetrins C-E (1-3), new cyclic lipodepsipeptides, were isolated from the EtOAc extract obtained from the fermentation of marine-derived Bacillus subtilis isolated from a marine sponge sample collected from the Gageo reef, Republic of Korea. The structures of 1-3, consisting of three leucine residues, one glutamic acid, and a ß-hydroxy fatty acid, were elucidated by detailed analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS data. The absolute configurations of the amino acids and ß-hydroxy fatty acid were established by advanced Marfey's method and Mosher's method, respectively. The localization of L- and D-amino acids within the compounds was determined by retention time comparison of each purchased dipeptide standard to the partial hydrolysate products using LC-MS. Compounds 1-3 exhibited anti-mycoplasma activity, with an MIC value of 31 µg/mL, twofold stronger than that of the positive control, BioMycoX®. Detailed analysis and comparison of the spectroscopic data between bacilotetrins A (4) and B (5) and 1-3 led us to revise the structures of 4 and 5.

Polyketides and Meroterpenes from the Marine-Derived Fungi Aspergillus unguis 158SC-067 and A. flocculosus 01NT-1.1.5 and Their Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities.

Ten secondary metabolites, including a new grifolin analog, grifolin B (1); a new homovalencic acid derivative, 12-hydroxyhomovalencic acid (7); and a compound isolated from a natural source for the first time (9), along with seven known compounds, grifolin (2), averantin (3), 7-chloroaverantin (4), 1'-O-methylaverantin (5), 7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-pentylchromone (6), homovalencic acid (8), and bekeleylactone E (10), were isolated from two fungal strains. The structures of 1-10 were identified by detailed analysis and comparison of their spectroscopic data with literature values. Compounds 9 and 10 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against a panel of cancer cell lines (PC-3, HCT-15, MDA-MB-231, ACHN, NCI-H23, NUGC-3), with the GI50 values ranging from 1.1 µM to 3.6 µM, whereas 1 displayed a weak 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity without cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines.

New Polyenes from the Marine-Derived Fungus Talaromyces cyanescens with Anti-Neuroinflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities.

Three new polyene compounds, talacyanols A-C (1-3), along with two known compounds, ramulosin (4) and eurothiocin A (5), were isolated from the marine fungus Talaromyces cyanescens derived from a seaweed Caulerpa sp. Structures of 1-5 were established by one-dimensional and two-dimensional (1D/2D) NMR, HR-ESIMS, and the modified Mosher's methods, as well as comparison with previously reported literature data. All the compounds (1-5) were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Among them, 1 showed moderate cytotoxic activity against a panel of cancer cell lines (HCT-15, NUGC-3, NCI-H23, ACHN, PC-3, and MDA-MB-231) with GI50 values ranging from 44.4 to 91.6 µM, whereas compounds 2 and 5 exhibited anti-neuroinflammatory effect without cytotoxicity against all the tested cell lines.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Agent, Restricticin B, from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium janthinellum and Its Inhibitory Activity on the NO Production in BV-2 Microglia Cells.

A new compound containing a triene, a tetrahydropyran ring and glycine ester functionalities, restricticin B (1), together with four known compounds (2-5) were obtained from the EtOAc extract of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium janthinellum. The planar structure of 1 was determined by detailed analyses of MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The relative and absolute configurations of 1 were established via the analyses of NOESY spectroscopy data, the comparison of optical rotation values with those of reported restricticin derivatives and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All the compounds were screened for their anti-neuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglia cells. Restricticin B (1) and N-acetyl restricticin (2) exhibited anti-neuroinflammatory effects by suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in activated microglial cells.

Resorcinosides A and B, Glycosylated Alkylresorcinols from a Marine-Derived Strain of the Fungus Penicillium janthinellum.

Two new glycosylated alkylresorcinols, resorcinosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from a strain of the fungus Penicillium janthinellum derived from a marine sediment sample collected from Cu Lao Cham Island, Vietnam. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR and high-resolution ESIMS data, and their absolute configurations were confirmed by the coupling constant of the anomeric proton, acid hydrolysis, subsequent HPLC analysis, Mosher's method, and quantum-mechanics-based computational analysis of NMR chemical shifts. The structure elucidation indicated that 1 and 2 are new alkylresorcinols with d-glucose, and 2 has an α-pyrone moiety attached to the aromatic ring. Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the NUGC-3 cancer cell line with a GI50 value of 9.3 µM.

Dokdolipids A-C, Hydroxylated Rhamnolipids from the Marine-Derived Actinomycete Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis.

Three new hydroxylated rhamnolipids, dokdolipids A-C (1-3) were obtained from the marine actinomycete Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis, which was isolated from a sediment sample collected off the coasts of Dokdo island, Republic of Korea. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometric data analyses. Their absolute configurations were assigned using the modified Mosher's method and specific rotation values, as well as acid hydrolysis, chemical derivatizations and subsequent HPLC analysis to determine the configuration of the sugar moieties. All new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines, HCT-15, NUGC-3, NCI-H23, ACHN, PC-3 and MDA-MB-231. Compounds 1-3 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against all the cell lines tested with IC50 values ranging from 13.7-41.5 µM.

Phenazine Derivatives with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from the Deep-Sea Sediment-Derived Yeast-Like Fungus Cystobasidium laryngis IV17-028.

Three new phenazine derivatives (1-3), along with known compounds (4-7) of saphenic acid derivatives, were isolated from a deep-sea sediment-derived yeast-like fungus Cystobasidium larynigs collected from the Indian Ocean. The structures of the new compounds (1-3) were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data, semi-synthesis and comparison of optical rotation values. All the isolated compounds (1-7), except for 2, showed nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 30 µg/mL. This is the first report on the yeast-like fungus Cystobasidium laryngis producing phenazines and anti-inflammatory activity of 1-7 including saphenic acid (4).

New Ophiobolin Derivatives from the Marine Fungus Aspergillus flocculosus and Their Cytotoxicities against Cancer Cells.

Five new sesterterpenes, 14,15-dehydro-6-epi-ophiobolin K (1), 14,15-dehydro- ophiobolin K (2), 14,15-dehydro-6-epi-ophiobolin G (3), 14,15-dehydro-ophiobolin G (4) and 14,15-dehydro-(Z)-14-ophiobolin G (5), together with four known ophiobolins (6-9) were isolated from the marine fungus Aspergillus flocculosus derived from the seaweed Padina sp. collected in Vietnam. The five new ophiobolins were first isolated as ophiobolin derivatives consisting of a fully unsaturated side chain. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR and HR-ESIMS. The absolute configurations were determined by the comparison of chemical shifts and optical rotation values with those of known ophiobolins. All compounds (1-9) were then evaluated for their cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines, HCT-15, NUGC-3, NCI-H23, ACHN, PC-3 and MDA-MB-231. All the compounds showed potent cytotoxicity with GI50 values ranging from 0.14 to 2.01 µM.