Eremophilane sesquiterenes from the marine fungus Penicillium sp BL27-2

Six eremophilane sesquiterpenes were obtained from a marine fungus Penicillium sp. BL27-2. Their structures were elucidated as 3-acetyl-9, 7 (11)-dien-7 alpha-hydroxy-8-oxoeremophilane (1), 3-acetyl-13-deoxyphomenone (2), Sporogen-AO 1 (3), 7-hydroxypetasol (4), 8 alpha-hydroxy-13-deo -xyphomenone (5) and 6-dehydropetasol (6) based on detailed NMR analysis. 1 was a new compound and 2 was obtained as a new natural compound. These compounds were assayed for their cytotoxic activity on P388, A549, HL60, BEL7402 and K562 cell lines by the MTT method. The assay results suggested the epoxide rings in eremophilane molecules were essential for their activity, and acetylation could enhance their activity. (C) 2008 Yong Fu Huang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.