Aspersterols A-D, Ergostane-Type Sterols with an Unusual Unsaturated Side Chain from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Aspergillus unguis

J Nat Prod. 2022 Sep 23;85(9):2177-2183. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00398. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

Abstract

Four previously undescribed ergostane-type sterols, aspersterols A-D (1-4), were isolated from a deep-sea-derived fungus, Aspergillus unguis IV17-109. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive analyses of their spectroscopic data, pyridine-induced deshielding effect, Mosher's method, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. The key feature of these sterols is the presence of a rare unsaturated side chain with conjugated double bonds at Δ17 and Δ22. The absolute configuration of C-24 in the side chain was determined by hydrogenation and comparing 13C NMR chemical shifts of the hydrogenated products with literature values. In addition, aspersterol A (1) is the second representative of anthrasteroids with a hydroxy group at the C-2 position. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines, with GI50 values of 3.4 ± 0.3 to 4.5 ± 0.7 μM, while 2-4 showed anti-inflammatory activity, with IC50 values ranging from 11.6 ± 1.6 to 19.5 ± 1.2 μM.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus* / chemistry
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Ergosterol* / analogs & derivatives
  • Ergosterol* / isolation & purification
  • Ergosterol* / pharmacology
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Sterols* / chemistry
  • Sterols* / isolation & purification
  • Sterols* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Pyridines
  • Sterols
  • ergostane
  • Ergosterol

Supplementary concepts

  • Aspergillus unguis