Diverse bioactive secondary metabolites from Aspergillus terreus: antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity studies.

Owing to its high interest as prolific source of diverse bioactive compounds referred in our previous research work, we have scaled-up the fermentation of the marine Aspergillus terreus LGO13 on a liquid culture medium to isolate and identify the very minor/further promising bioactive secondary metabolites and to study their antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antiviral properties. Twenty-three known bioactive metabolites, including the recently discovered microbial natural product N-benzoyl-tryptophan (1), were obtained herein. Their structures were determined using HR-ESI-MS 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy and data from the literature. The biological properties of the microbial extract and the resulting compounds were examined using a set of microorganisms, cervix carcinoma KB-3-1, nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), respectively. Molecular docking (MD) simulations were used to investigate the potential targets of the separated metabolites as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs. According to the current study, a viral protein that may be the target of anticovid drugs is a papain-like protease (PLpro), and chaetominine (2) appears to be a viable choice against this protein. We evaluated the antiviral efficacy of chaetominine (2), fumitremorgin C (6), and azaspirofuran A (9) against SARS-CoV-2 based on MD data. Chaetominine (2) and azaspirofuran A (9) displayed intermediate selectivity indices (SI = 6.6 and 3.2, respectively), while fumitremorgin C (6) displayed a high selectivity index (SI = 19.77). These findings show that fumitremorgin C has promising antiviral action against SARS-CoV-2.

Spirulina platensis as a growth booster for broiler; Insights into their nutritional, molecular, immunohistopathological, and microbiota modulating effects.

BACKGROUND: The present study is designed to assess the effect of adding various doses of Spirulina platensis (SP) on broiler chicken growth performance, gut health, antioxidant biomarkers, cecal microbiota, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). 240 male Cobb 500 broiler chicks (1 day old) were placed into four groups (sixty birds/group), then each group was further divided into three replicates of 20 chickens each for 35 days. Birds were allocated as follows; the 1st group (G1), the control group, fed on basal diet, the 2nd group (G2): basal diet plus SP (0.1%), the 3rd group (G3): basal diet plus SP (0.3%), and the 4th group (G4): basal diet plus SP (0.5%). RESULTS: Throughout the trial (d 1 to 35), SP fortification significantly increased body weight growth (BWG) and feed conversion rate (FCR) (P < 0.05). Bursa considerably increased among the immunological organs in the Spirulina-supplemented groups. Within SP-supplemented groups, there was a substantial increase in catalase activity, blood total antioxidant capacity, jejunal superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity (P < 0.05). Fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP2), one of the gut barrier health biomarkers, significantly increased in the SP-supplemented groups but the IL-1ß gene did not significantly differ across the groups (P < 0.05). Different organs in the control group showed histopathological changes, while the SP-supplemented chicken showed fewer or no signs of these lesions. The control group had higher levels of iNOS expression in the gut than the SP-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Cecal Lactobacillus count significantly elevated with increasing the rate of SP inclusion rate (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementing broiler diets with SP, particularly at 0.5%, can improve productivity and profitability by promoting weight increase, feed utilization, antioxidant status, immunity, and gastrointestinal health.

Potential chemopreventive effects of Broccoli extract supplementation against 7, 12 dimethyl Benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) -induced toxicity in female rats.

Dietary components have recently received rapidly expanding attention for their potential to halt or reverse the development of many oxidative stress-mediated diseases after exposure to environmental toxicants. 7, 12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) is one of the most common environmental pollutants. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemo-preventive effects of broccoli as a nutritional component against DMBA intoxication in rats. A daily dose of aqueous (1 ml/rat) and methanolic (150 mg/kg) broccoli extracts, respectively, was given to 50-day-old female rats for 26 successive weeks after carcinogen intoxication with a single dose of 20 mg/ml of DMBA. DMBA intoxication resulted in a redox imbalance (a decreased GSH level and an increased MDA level) and increased DNA fragmentation in the liver, kidney, and brain. Besides, it affected the level of expression of the bcl2 gene in the liver, kidney, and brain tissue but didn't affect cfos gene expression accompanied by histopathological changes. The aqueous and methanolic broccoli extract supplements ameliorated the adverse effects by increasing the level of GSH, decreasing the MDA level, and reducing DNA fragmentation. Besides, broccoli extracts decreased the expression of bcl2 in the liver and brain and up-regulated bcl2 expression in the kidney, accompanied by lowering NF-κß 65 expression in the liver and brain and γ-catenin expression in the liver and kidney. In conclusion, broccoli as a dietary component had a strong chemoprotective effect against oxidative stress, DNA damage, and genotoxicity induced by DMBA intoxication in rats.

Antimicrobial, antiproliferative activities and molecular docking of metabolites from Alternaria alternata.

Endophytic fungi allied to plants have sparked substantial promise in discovering new bioactive compounds. In this study, propagation of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata HE11 obtained from Colocasia esculanta leaves led to the isolation of Ergosterol (1), ß-Sitosterol (2), Ergosterol peroxide (3), in addition to three dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrones, namely Fonsecinone A (4), Asperpyrone C (5), and Asperpyrone B (6), which were isolated from genus Alternaria for the first time. Structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR and, MS measurements. The ethyl acetate extract, as well as compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using agar well-diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Molecular docking study was carried out to explore the pharmacophoric moieties that governed the binding orientation of antibacterial active compounds to multidrug efflux transporter AcrB and the ATP binding site to E. coli DNA gyrase using MOE software. Results revealed that the most active antibacterial compounds 4 and 6 bind with high affinity in the phenylalanine-rich cage and are surrounded with other hydrophobic residues. The antiproliferative activity of all isolated compounds was in vitro evaluated using the human prostatic adenocarcinoma cell lines DU-145, PC-3, PC-3 M, 22Rv1 and CWR-R1ca adopting MTT assay. Compound 4 was the most active against almost all tested cell lines, with IC50 values 28.6, 21.6, 17.1 and 13.3 against PC-3, PC-3 M, 22Rv1 and CWR-R1ca cell lines, respectively.

Sulochrins and alkaloids from a fennel endophyte Aspergillus sp. FVL2.

The fungal endophyte Aspergillus sp. strain FVL2, isolated from the traditional medicinal fennel plant, Foeniculum vulgare, was investigated for secondary metabolites. Fermentation on rice medium followed by chromatographic separation delivered three new natural products, 7-demethyl-neosulochrin (1), fumigaclavine I (3) and N-benzoyl-tryptophan (6) together with further 14 known metabolites, 1-O-methyl-sulochrin-4'-sulfate, questin, laccaic acid, isorhodoptilometrin, fumigaclavine A, fumigaclavine C, fumitremorgin C, fumigaquinazoline C, tryptoquivaline J, trypacidin, 3'-O-demethyl-sulochrin, 1-O-methyl-sulochrin, protocatechuic acid, and vermelone. The chemical structures of the new metabolites were determined by NMR spectroscopy and ESI HR mass spectrometry. For fumigaclavine I, we observed the partial deuterium transfer from the solvent to the enol form with a remarkable high stereo selectivity. The discovery of the new seco-anthraquinone 7-demethyl-neosulochrin (1) revealed a second type of ring cleavage by a questin oxygenase. The discovery of diverse secondary metabolites broadens the chemical space of Aspergillus.

Diverse polyketides from the marine endophytic Alternaria sp. LV52: Structure determination and cytotoxic activities.

We report the isolation and characterization of five polyketides [alternariol (1), alternariol-9-methyl ether (2), altertoxin I (3), altertoxin II (4) and tenuazonic acid (5)] from the marine endophytic Alternaria sp. LV52 derived from Cystoseira tamariscifolia, collected from the Red Sea at Nabq-Bay, Egypt. The chemical structures of compounds 1-5 were identified by extensive 1D, 2D NMR, and HR mass measurements. Isolation and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the producing fungus is reported. The antimicrobial activity of the produced extract and derived compounds was examined against a panel of test organisms. In addition, an in vitro cytotoxic activity of 1-5 was performed against diverse cancer cell lines: HEPG2, HELA, A549 and PC3, revealing that compounds 2 and 4 are potentially cytotoxic against A549 and PC3 with EC50 of 0.73 µg/ml (2.69 µM) and 0.17 µg/ml (0.64 µM) for 2, and 0.40 µg/ml (1.15 µM) and 0.12 µg/ml (0.33 µM) for 4, respectively.

Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, and In Silico Studies of Secondary Metabolites From Aspergillus sp. Isolated From Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. Ex Kunth Leaves.

Endophytes are prolific producers of privileged secondary metabolites with diverse therapeutic potential, although their anticancer and antimicrobial potential still have a room for further investigation. Herein, seven known secondary metabolites namely, arugosin C (1), ergosterol (2), iso-emericellin (3), sterigmatocystin (4), dihydrosterigmatocystin (5), versicolorin B (6), and diorcinol (7) were isolated from the rice culture of Aspergillus sp. retrieved from Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth leaves. Their anticancer and antimicrobial activities were evaluated in MTT and agar well diffusion assays, respectively. The cytotoxicity results showed that metabolite 3 displayed the best viability inhibition on the MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC50 = 225.21 µM, while 5 on the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells with IC50 = 161.81 µM. 5 demonstrated a 60% apoptotic mode of cell death which is virtually correlated to its high docking affinity to Hsp90 ATP binding cleft (binding score -8.4 Kcal/mol). On the other side, metabolites 4 and 5 displayed promising antimicrobial activity especially on Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC = 125 µg/ml. The observed effect may be likely related to their excellent in silico inhibition of the bacterial DNA-gyrase kinase domain (binding score -10.28 Kcal/mol). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report the promising cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of metabolites 3, 4, and 5 which needs further investigation and renovation to therapeutic leads.

Ochraceopyronide, a Rare α-Pyrone-C-lyxofuranoside from a Soil-Derived Fungus Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis.

The fungal strain was isolated from a soil sample collected in Giza province, Egypt, and was identified as Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis based on phenotypic and genotypic data. The ethyl acetate extract of the fungal strain exhibited promising activity levels against several pathogenic test organisms and through a series of 1H NMR guided chromatographic separations, a new α-pyrone-C-lyxofuranoside (1) along with four known compounds (2-5) were isolated. The planar structure of the new metabolite was elucidated by detailed analysis of its 1D/2D NMR and HRMS/IR/UV spectroscopic data, while the relative configuration of the sugar moiety was determined by a combined study of NOESY and coupling constants data, with the aid of theoretical calculations. The structures of the known compounds-isolated for the first time from A. ochraceopetaliformis-were established by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those in the literature. All isolated fungal metabolites were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against six Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as against three human pathogenic fungi.

Meleagrin from marine fungus Emericella dentata Nq45: crystal structure and diverse biological activity studies.

The crystal structure and unambiguous absolute configuration of meleagrin (1) isolated from fungus Emericella dentata Nq45 is reported herein to first time on the bases of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Together with 1, haenamindole (2), isorugulosuvine (3), secalonic acid D (4), ergosterol (5) and cerebroside A (6) were obtained and their structures were determined by ESI MS and NMR data analysis. Diverse biological activity of meleagrin (1) was investigated. Compound 1 pronounced potent cytotoxicity against the human cervix carcinoma cell line KB-3-1 and its multidrug resistant sub-clone KB-V1 of IC50 3.07 and 6.07 µM, respectively, in comparison with the reference (+) - griseofulvin (IC50 19, 19.5 µM). Based on the antibiofilm activity, compound 1 displayed as well potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC of 0.25 mg/mL. Isolation of the producing fungus and taxonomical characterization is stated as well.

RF-3192C and other polyketides from the marine endophytic Aspergillus niger ASSB4: structure assignment and bioactivity investigation.

Chemical investigation of the methanolic extract of endophytic Aspergillus niger SB4, isolated from the marine alga Laurencia obtuse, afforded the pentacyclic polyketide, RF-3192C (1), the dimeric coumarin orlandin (2), fonsecin B (3), TMC-256A1 (4), cyclo-(Leu-Ala) (5), and cerebroside A (6).The chemical structure of RF-3192C (1) is assigned herein for the first time using 1D/2D NMR and HRESI-MS. Additionally, the revision of the NMR assignments of orlandin (2) was reported herein as well. Investigation of the antimicrobial activities of isolated compounds revealed the high activity of RF-3192C (1) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, and moderate activity against yeast. Moreover, an in vitro cytotoxic activity against liver (HEPG2), cervical (HELA), lung (A549), prostate (PC3), and breast (MCF7) cancer cell lines of the isolated compounds was evaluated. The isolation and taxonomical characterization of the producing fungus was reported as well.

Terretonin O: a new meroterpenoid from Aspergillus terreus.

Terretonin O (1), a new meroterpenoid, was isolated individually from both methanolic extracts of thermophilic Aspergillus terreus TM8 and marine Aspergillus terreus LGO13. The recently reported terretonins M (2) and N (3) were further isolated from the fungus LGO13 along with nine known compounds, terrelumamide A (4), terrein (5), methyl-3,4,5-trimethoxyl-2-[2-(nicotinamide)benzamido] benzoate (6), butyrolactones I-III (7-9), aspulvinone O (10), ergosterol, ergost-4-ene-3-one and methyl linoleate. Structure of terretonin O (1) was established on the bases of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra and comparison with its analogues in literatures. The relative stereochemistry of 1 was assigned on the basis of NOESY spectra and comparison with reported configuration of its congener compounds 2 and 3. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the fungal extracts and obtained compounds were assayed using a set of microorganisms, and cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1), respectively. Isolation and taxonomical characterization of the producing strains are reported.

Isoshamixanthone: a new pyrano xanthone from endophytic Aspergillus sp. ASCLA and absolute configuration of epiisoshamixanthone.

Isoshamixanthone (1), a new stereoisomeric pyrano xanthone together with the previously known fungal metabolites, epiisoshamixanthone (2), sterigmatocystin (3), arugosin C (4), norlichexanthone (5), diorcinol (6), ergosterol and methyllinoleate, were obtained from the endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus sp. ASCLA isolated from leaf tissues of the medicinal plant Callistemon subulatus. The chemical structure of the new xanthone (1) was elucidated by extensive 1D, 2D NMR, and ESI HR mass measurements, and by comparison with literature data. The constitutions and absolute configurations of 1 and epiisoshamixanthone (2) were additionally confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1,2 were evaluated for their potential anticancer activity using the human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1). The antimicrobial activities of the fungal extract and compounds 1,2 were studied using a panel of pathogenic microorganisms as well.

Coumamarin: a first coumarinyl calcium complex isolated from nature.

The first calcium complex from nature, Coumamarin (1), 7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-6-carboxylate Ca(II) complex, was isolated from Aspergillus sydowii ASTI, together with diorcinol (2), violaceol I (3), hydroxysydonic acid (4), cyclo (Trp-Phe), kojic acid, ergosterol, and uracil. The producing strain was isolated from marine water sample collected from Tiran Island, Red Sea, Egypt. Structure 1 was assigned by intensive 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESIMS, and X-ray crystallography as well. Coumamarin is potentially active against certain tested bacteria and yeasts, while showing no cytotoxic activity against human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1). Taxonomically, the fungus was identified by phylogenetic analysis of its 18S rRNA gene sequence.

Bioactive secondary metabolites from new endophytic fungus Curvularia. sp isolated from Rauwolfia macrophylla.

Over the last decades, endophytic fungi represent a new source of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites based on the underlying assumption that they live symbiotically within their plant host. In the present study, a new endophytic fungus was isolated from Rauwolfia macrophylla, a medicinal plant from Cameroon. The fungus showed a highest homology to Curvularia sp. based on complete nucleotide sequence data generated from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA region. Large scale fermentation, working-up and separation of the strain extract using different chromatographic techniques afforded three bioactive compounds: 2'-deoxyribolactone (1), hexylitaconic acid (2) and ergosterol (3). The chemical structures of compounds 1-3 were confirmed by 1 and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and comparison with corresponding literature data. Biologically, the antimicrobial, antioxidant activities and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory of the isolated compounds were studied.

Penicisteroid C: New polyoxygenated steroid produced by co-culturing of Streptomyces piomogenus with Aspergillus niger.

Penicisteroid C, a new polyoxygenated steroid was isolated from co-cultivation of Streptomyces piomogenus AS63D and Aspergillus niger using solid-state fermentation on rice medium. Additional diverse eleven known metabolites were identified: Fumigaclavine C, fumiquinazoline C, physcion, methylsulochrin, methyllinoleate, glycerol linoleate, cerebroside A, thymine, adenine, thymidine and adenosine. The structure of penicisteroid C was determined by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The antimicrobial and in vitro cytotoxic activities of the microbial extract and penicisteroid C were reported as well.

Terretonin N: A New Meroterpenoid from Nocardiopsis sp.

Terretonin N (1), a new highly oxygenated and unique tetracyclic 6-hydroxymeroterpenoid, was isolated together with seven known compounds from the ethyl acetate extract of a solid-state fermented culture of Nocardiopsis sp. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography. The isolation and taxonomic characterization of Nocardiopsis sp. is reported. The antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of the strain extract and compound 1 were studied using different microorganisms and a cervix carcinoma cell line, respectively.

N-Acetylborrelidin B: a new bioactive metabolite from Streptomyces mutabilis sp. MII.

In the course of our screening program for new bioactive compounds, a naturally new 18-membered macrolide antibiotic, N-acetylborrelidin B (1) along with borrelidin (2) were obtained from the marine Streptomyces mutabilis sp. MII. The strain was isolated from a sediment sample collected in the Red Sea at the Hurghada Coast and characterized taxonomically. Additional nine diverse bioactive compounds were reported: 6-prenyl-indole-3-acetonitrile (3), sitosteryl-3ß-d-glucoside, campesterol, ferulic acid, linoleic acid methyl ester, linoleic acid, N-acetylanthranilic acid, indole 3-acetic acid methyl ester, indole 3-carboxylic acid, and adenosine. Structure 1 was confirmed by in-depth NMR studies and by mass spectra, and comparison with related literature data. The antimicrobial activity of the strain extract and compounds 1 and 2 were studied using a panel of pathogenic microorganisms. The in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 as well as the crude extract were tested against the human cervix carcinoma cell line (KB-3-1).

One pot synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of fused uracils: pyrimidodiazepines, lumazines, triazolouracil and xanthines.

BACKGROUND: Uracil derivatives have a great attraction because they play an important role in pharmacological activities. Pyrimidodiazepines, lumazines, triazolopyrimidines and xanthines have significant wide spectrum activities including anticancer, antiviral as well as antimicrobial activities. RESULTS: A newly synthesized compounds pyrimido[4,5-b][1, 4]diazepines 5a-e, 6a-d, lumazines 7a-d, triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine 8 and xanthines 9, 10 was prepared in a good yields. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of compounds 5a, 5b, 6a, 6d and 8 exhibited a wide range activity against the pathogenic tested microbes (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Compound 8 showed activity against the fungus Aspergillus niger. The highest antioxidant activity was noticed for compound 5a. CONCLUSIONS: A series of novel pyrimido[4,5-b][1, 4]diazepines 5a-e, 6a-d, lumazines 7a-d, triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine 8 and xanthines 9, 10 was prepared from 5,6-diamino-1-(2-chlorobenzyl)uracil 3 in good yields. Compounds 5a-e, 6a-d were prepared by sequential manipulation of 3 with α,ß-unsaturated ketones. Lumazines 7a-d were obtained from 3 by treatment with phenacyl bromides in the presence of TEA. Compound 8 was prepared by treatment of 3 with HNO2, while xanthines 9, 10 were obtained from 3 by consecutive acetylation then intramolecular cyclodehydration or heating with malononitrile under solvent-free condition. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of this series was evaluated in vitro and they showed either weak or moderate activities. Graphical abstract Several pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]diazepines, lumazines, triazolo-, and imidazolopyrimidines were synthesized from the starting compound 4,5-diaminouracils. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for both antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.