Depsides: lichen metabolites active against hepatitis C virus

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 20;10(3):e0120405. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120405. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

A thorough phytochemical study of Stereocaulon evolutum was conducted, for the isolation of structurally related atranorin derivatives. Indeed, pilot experiments suggested that atranorin (1), the main metabolite of this lichen, would interfere with the lifecycle of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eight compounds, including one reported for the first time (2), were isolated and characterized. Two analogs (5, 6) were also synthesized, to enlarge the panel of atranorin-related structures. Most of these compounds were active against HCV, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of about 10 to 70 µM, with depsides more potent than monoaromatic phenols. The most effective inhibitors (1, 5 and 6) were then added at different steps of the HCV lifecycle. Interestingly, atranorin (1), bearing an aldehyde function at C-3, inhibited only viral entry, whereas the synthetic compounds 5 and 6, bearing a hydroxymethyl and a methyl function, respectively, at C-3 interfered with viral replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Depsides / pharmacology*
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Hydroxybenzoates / chemistry
  • Lichens / chemistry*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Depsides
  • Hydroxybenzoates
  • atranorin

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Biology and Health Federative Research Structure of Rennes (Biosit, UMS CNRS 3480 / US INSERM 018), by the Comité Grand-Ouest de la Ligue contre le Cancer, by the "Institute National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale" (INSERM), by the "Université de Rennes 1" and by the "Centre National de Recherche Scientifique" (CNRS). THV. is supported by a scholarship from the Vietnamese Government (Project 322, Ministry of Education and Training). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.