Novel Stemphol Derivatives from a marine fungus Pleospora sp

Four novel stemphol derivatives, pleosporols A-D (1, 2 and mixture of 3 and 4) together with known compounds stemfolones (mixture of 5 and 6), stemphol (7) were isolated from a marine fungus Pleospora sp. (PO4) derived from the gut of marine isopod Ligia oceanica. The planar structures of novel compounds were elucidated on the basis of mass and NMR spectral analysis. The stereo-chemistries of 1-2 were determined by CD spectra, NOESY data, coupling constants analysis and modified Mosher's method while the absolute configurations of 3-6 were not clear. Novel compounds contained alpha, beta-unsaturated cyclohexanone ring and possibly derived from the oxidation of stemphol. All novel ones showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis CMCC26069 with MIC values less than 10 mu g/mL. [GRAPHCICS].