Rare Chromone Derivatives from the Marine-Derived Penicillium citrinum with Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Three new and rare chromone derivatives, epiremisporine C (1), epiremisporine D (2), and epiremisporine E (3), were isolated from marine-derived Penicillium citrinum, together with four known compounds, epiremisporine B (4), penicitrinone A (5), 8-hydroxy-1-methoxycarbonyl-6-methylxanthone (6), and isoconiochaetone C (7). Among the isolated compounds, compounds 2-5 significantly decreased fMLP-induced superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils, with IC50 values of 6.39 +/- 0.40, 8.28 +/- 0.29, 3.62 +/- 0.61, and 2.67 +/- 0.10 mu M, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activities with IC50 values of 43.82 +/- 6.33 and 32.29 +/- 4.83 mu M, respectively, against non-small lung cancer cell (A549), and Western blot assay confirmed that compounds 3 and 4 markedly induced apoptosis of A549 cells, through Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 signaling cascades.

Automated summary

New and rare chromone derivatives isolated from marine-derived Penicillium citrinum showed significant inhibition of superoxide anion generation in human neutrophils. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited cytotoxic activities against non-small lung cancer cells and induced apoptosis through Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 signaling cascades.