4-benzyl-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one, a vasodilator isolated from Malbranchea filamentosa IFM 41300

Screening of Malbranchea filamentosa IFM 41300 for bioactive compounds led to the identification of 4-benzyl-3-phenyl-5H-furan-2-one (1) as a vasodilator and erythroglaucin (2). The structure of 1 was established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical investigations. Compound 1 inhibited Ca2+-induced vasocintraction in aortic rings pretreated with high K+ (60 mM) or norepinephrine. Finally, compound I did not exhibit activity against human pathogenic microorganisms. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.