Records of Natural Products

Fusarium solani 2024f-xx, an endophytic fungus derived from the marine brown algae Sargassum thunbergii, was chemically studied. As a result, two polyhydroxy compounds, namely fusasolpolyol A (1) and (4E,8E,12E)-2,3,7,11-tetrahydroxy-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexamethyltetradeca-4,8,12-trienoic acid (2), as well as two known drimane-type sesquiterpenoids (3 and 4) were isolated and identified. The structures of the isolated compounds were ascertained by means of specific spectroscopic methods (mainly determined by HRESIMS and 1D/2D NMR data). Compound 1 was identified as a new compound. In the cytotoxic assays, compound 2 revealed moderate activity against the human gastric carcinoma cell MKN-45 and the human pancreatic cancer cell PATU8988T, with the respective IC50 values of 19.6 ± 1.2 μM and 26.3 ± 0.9 μM.

This paper mainly provides a systematic review of the chemical constituents and biological activities of Fomes fomentarius. As a widely distributed medicinal fungus, F. fomentarius has a long history of application in traditional medicine. Rich in chemical constituents, it contains over a hundred compounds such as steroids, triterpenes, and fatty acids. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that this fungus exhibits multiple activities, including antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antidiabetic, anti-hypoxic, and hepatoprotective effects. However, our current understanding of its action mechanisms and the synergistic effect among components remains limited. This review provides crucial references for further research and development of F. fomentarius.

Fusarinene A (1), a previously undescribed trichothecene sesquiterpene, and three known compounds, 4β-hydroxytrichotheca-9,12-diene (2), trichodermol (3), and trichodermin (4), were isolated from the extract of Fusarium sp. XPW68. Their structures and relative configurations were identified by detailed analysis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) data. In the cytotoxic assay, compounds 1-4 exhibited selective or potent inhibition against five human osteosarcoma cell lines including 143B, MG-63, SaOS-2, SW1353, and U2OS, with IC50 values ranging from 0.8 to 48.2 μM.

The consumption of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) leaves has a long tradition, especially as a "general pregnancy tea", although the scientific data are insufficient and contradictory. Phytochemical comparation of extracts from cultivated and wild raspberry leaves, in silico prediction of their biological activities and acute toxicity followed by in vitro antiradical activity and effects on the viability/proliferation of HeLa cells and isolated rat uterus were performed. Leaves from cultured (v. Polka) and wild individuals were extracted with distilled water, 70% v/v ethanol or 70% v/v methanol. All samples exhibited high polyphenol content and antiradical activity, with the 70% v/v ethanol extract of wild R. idaeus showing the strongest free radical scavenging ability. In silico analyzes predicted that a large number of raspberry leaves possess anti-inflammatory, apoptosis-agonistic, antinociceptive and NO signaling-related activities. Potentially toxic levels of the tested compounds could not be achieved with regular tea drinking. The tested extracts have no noticeable effects on the viability/proliferation of HeLa cells. The effects on spontaneous contraction of the isolated rat uterus were modest. Although safety is not a concern, further studies are needed to justify or deny the efficacy of raspberry leaf tea in folk medicine for healthy pregnancy and easy delivery.