Elastase inhibitory activity of secondary metabolites from the fungus Virgaria nigra CF-231658

Three known compounds were isolated from Virgaria nigra CF-231658; 2,7-dihydroxy naphthalene (1), virgaricin B (2) and virgaricin (3). The isolated compounds was obtained from liquid-state and agar-supported fermentation using Amberlite XAD-16 solid-phase extraction during the cultivation step. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR as well as HRMS spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were examined for their ability to inhibit elastase using normal human diploid fibroblasts. Compound 2 displayed the most potent activity with 76.7 +/- 2.12% inhibition of the enzyme activity at 5 mu M concentration.

Automated summary

Three known compounds were isolated from Virgaria nigra CF-231658, with compound 2 displaying the most potent activity in inhibiting elastase at a concentration of 5 μM. The structures of the compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic analyses, and their abilities to inhibit the enzyme activity were examined using normal human diploid fibroblasts.