Discovery of an immunosuppressive functional metabolite from the insect-derived endophytic Aspergillus taichungensis SMU01

Fitoterapia. 2024 May 12:176:106007. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106007. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Three p-terphenyl metabolites (1-3), three indole-diterpenoids (4-6), an herbicide sesquiterpene (7), a flavonoid (8), and five other small molecules containing nitrogen (9-13) were isolated from the medicinal insect (Periplaneta americana)-derived endophytic Aspergillus taichungensis SMU01. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and quantum chemical computational methods. Biological activity of these isolates in the differentiation of mouse CD4+ T cell subsets was evaluated. Importantly, metabolites 2 targeting JAK-STAT signaling pathway could hold potential benefits in maintaining peripheral immune homeostasis and alleviating the progression of autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: Aspergillus taichungensis; Immunomodulatory activity; Metabolites; Periplaneta americana.