Ustilaginoidin M1 (1), a novel bis-naphtho-γ-pyrone, was isolated from the cultures of the fungus Villosiclava virens which was the pathogen of rice false smut disease. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of its physical and spectroscopic data with the literature. Compound 1 was tested for its cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines.
Keywords: Rice false smut; Villosiclava virens; cytotoxic activity; ustilaginoidin M1.