Biotransformation of α-asarone by Alternaria longipes CGMCC 3.2875

Biotransformation of alpha-asarone by Alternaria longipes CGMCC 3.2875 yielded two pairs of new neolignans, (+) (7S, 8S, 7'S, 8'R) iso-magnosalicin (1a)/(-) (7R, 8R, 7'R, 8'S) iso-magnosalicin (1b) and (+) (7R, 8R, '' S, 8'R) magnosalicin (2a)/(-) (7S, 8S, 7'R, 8'S) magnosalicin (2b), and four known metabolites, (+/-) acoraminol A (3), (+/-) acoraminol B (4), asaraldehyde (5), and 2, 4, 5-tri-methoxybenzoic acid (6). Their structures, including absolute configurations, were determined by extensive analysis of NMR spectra, X-ray crystallography, and quantum chemical ECD calculations. The cytotoxic activity and A beta(42) aggregation inhibitory activity of all the compounds were evaluated. Compound 2 displayed significant anti-A beta(42) aggregation activity with an inhibitory rate of 60.81% (the positive control EGCG: 69.17%). In addition, the biotransformation pathway of alpha-asarone by Alternaria longipes CGMCC 3.2875 was proposed.

Automated summary

The biotransformation of alpha-asarone by Alternaria longipes CGMCC 3.2875 resulted in the production of new neolignans, including compounds showing significant anti-A beta(42) aggregation activity, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease.