Flavonolignans from Aspergillus iizukae, a fungal endophyte of milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

J Nat Prod. 2014 Feb 28;77(2):193-9. doi: 10.1021/np400955q. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

Silybin A (1), silybin B (2), and isosilybin A (3), three of the seven flavonolignans that constitute silymarin, an extract of the fruits of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), were detected for the first time from a fungal endophyte, Aspergillus iizukae, isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of S. marianum. The flavonolignans were identified using a UPLC-PDA-HRMS-MS/MS method by matching retention times, HRMS, and MS/MS data with authentic reference compounds. Attenuation of flavonolignan production was observed following successive subculturing of the original flavonolignan-producing culture, as is often the case with endophytes that produce plant-based secondary metabolites. However, production of 1 and 2 resumed when attenuated spores were harvested from cultures grown on a medium to which autoclaved leaves of S. marianum were added. The cycle of attenuation followed by resumed biosynthesis of these flavonolignans was replicated in triplicate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus / chemistry*
  • Flavonolignans / chemistry
  • Flavonolignans / isolation & purification*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Silybin
  • Silybum marianum / microbiology*
  • Silymarin / analogs & derivatives
  • Silymarin / chemistry
  • Silymarin / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Flavonolignans
  • Silymarin
  • Silybin
  • isosilybin A