Rui-Huan Liu

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.

1 H NMR spectroscopy-guided isolation of new sucrose esters from Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii and their antibacterial activity

Ten new sucrose esters, physakengoses A-J (1-10), were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii under the guidance of 1H NMR spectroscopy. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses (HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and ESIMS) and chemical methods. These new compounds were tested for antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Among them, compounds 2 and 5-8 showed potent inhibitory effects against test strains with MIC values ranging from 3.5 to 14.9μg/mL. These findings may indicate that the P. alkekengi var. franchetii has potential application as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals.

Sarglaperoxides A and B, Sesquiterpene–Normonoterpene Conjugates with a Peroxide Bridge from the Seeds of Sarcandra glabra

Sarglaperoxides A (1) and B (2), a pair of unusual sesquiterpene-normonoterpene conjugates with a peroxide bridge, were isolated from the seeds of Sarcandra glabra. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, including MS, NMR, CD, and XRD. The two compounds were screened in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic bioassays and showed moderate bioactivities.

In Vitro Antibiofilm Activity of Eucarobustol E against Candida albicans

ABSTRACT Formyl-phloroglucinol meroterpenoids (FPMs) are important types of natural products with various bioactivities. Our antifungal susceptibility assay showed that one of the Eucalyptus robusta-derived FPMs, eucarobustol E (EE), exerted a strong inhibitory effect against Candida albicans biofilms at a concentration of 16 μg/ml. EE was found to block the yeast-to-hypha transition and reduce the cellular surface hydrophobicity of the biofilm cells. RNA sequencing and real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that exposure to 16 μg/ml of EE resulted in marked reductions in the levels of expressions of genes involved in hyphal growth (EFG1, CPH1, TEC1, EED1, UME6, and HGC1) and cell surface protein genes (ALS3, HWP1, and SAP5). Interestingly, in response to EE, genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis were downregulated, while the farnesol-encoding gene (DPP3) was upregulated, and these findings were in agreement with those from the quantification of ergosterol and farnesol. Combined with the obvious elevation of negative regulator genes (TUP1, NRG1), we speculated that EEs inhibition of carbon flow to ergosterol triggered the mechanisms of the negative regulation of hyphal growth and eventually led to biofilm inhibition.

New phenalenone derivatives from Pinellia ternata tubers derived Aspergillus sp.

Nine new phenalenone derivatives (1-9), along with two known analogues (10-11) have been isolated from the solid cultures of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. which was obtained from Pinellia ternate. Their structures were established through interpretations of spectroscopic evidence, and some of their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and Mo2(OCOCH3)4 induced ECD. All of the phenalenones are unusual acyclic diterpenoid adducts, which are diversely oxidized and partly epoxidized to form different heterocycles. In addition, compound 10 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis with MIC50 values of 1.87, 2.77, and 4.80μg/mL, respectively.

Isocoumarin derivatives from the endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis sp.

Five new isocoumarin derivatives, pestalactone A-C (1-3) and pestapyrone D-E (4-5), together with two known compounds (6-7) were isolated from the solid cultures of the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. obtained from Photinia frasery. Their structures were mainly determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, Mo2(OCOCH3)4-induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and ECD calculation. Compounds 1 and 2 were rare isocoumarin derivatives and derived from distinctive polyketide pathways. Compound 3 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida glabrata (ATCC 90030) with an MIC50 value of 3.49±0.21μg/mL.

New alkaloids from the leaves of Evodia rutaecarpa

Abstract One new indole alkaloid (1) and one new indole alkaloidal glycoside (2), together with nine known alkaloids (3–11), were isolated from the leaves of Evodia rutaecarpa. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 4 exhibited potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an MIC value of 7.13 μg/ml.

Hypoxia-Protective Azaphilone Adducts from Peyronellaea glomerata

Peyronellones A and B (1 and 2), a pair of rare tetracyclic caged adducts of azaphilone with pyruvic acid, along with four new analogues (3-6), were isolated from solid cultures of the endophytic fungus Peyronellaea glomerata. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis, and their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by a combination of single-crystal X-ray crystallography, Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced ECD experiments, ECD calculations, and modified Mosher methods. Compound 2 (5 μM) was found to have a significant hypoxia-protective effect that improved the survival rate of hypoxia/reoxygenation-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells from 35% to 70%, which was equal to the potency of the positive control, verapamil. Flow cytometry analysis suggested 2 could inhibit H/R-induced late-stage apoptosis of this cell line.

New Formyl Phloroglucinol Meroterpenoids from the Leaves of Eucalyptus robusta

Seven new formyl phloroglucinol meroterpenoids (FPMs), namely eucalrobusones J-P (1–7), as well as three known ones (8–10) were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus robusta. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, and their absolute configurations were determined by applications of the Snatzke’s helicity rule and the electron circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. These FPMs are diverse in coupling patterns between phloroglucinol and sesquiterpenoid units, forming novel polycyclic ring systems. Compound 1 possesses a new carbon skeleton that a 1-oxaspiro[5.6]dodecane core is formed through C-14 rather than C-4 of the aromadendrane moiety. Compound 2 features a novel 6/7/5 ring-fused 6-oxabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane skeleton. Compounds 3–5 are rare aristolane-based FPMs. By forming different oxo bridges, compound 3 is the first sample of FPM with benzo-dihydrofuran structure, and compound 4 possesses a novel 6/6/6/6/3-fused pentacyclic skeleton. Compounds 1, 6, and 8 exhibited significant antifungal activities against Candida glabrata with MIC50 values of 2.57, 1.95, and 2.49 μg/mL, respectively.