Structurally diverse oxygen-containing aromatic compounds with anti-inflammatory activity from Aspergillus sp. LY-1-2

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Mycology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fungi, particularly *Aspergillus* species, are a rich source of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites.
• The isolation of novel compounds from fungal endophytes, such as *Aspergillus* sp. LY-1-2 inhabiting *Cordyceps* sp., is crucial for drug discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize chemical constituents from *Aspergillus* sp. LY-1-2.
• To evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used for structural elucidation.
• Stereochemistry was determined using 13C NMR calculations with the sorted training set (STS) protocol and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations.
• Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglia cells.

Main Results:

• Eight isocoumarins and related derivatives, including four previously undescribed compounds (ascoisocoumarin A, ascospinols A-C, and talaflavuols C and B), were isolated.
• Twelve additional polyketides or terpenes were also identified.
• Newly described compounds ascoisocoumarin A and ascospinol A demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory properties.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully identified novel isocoumarins and related compounds from *Aspergillus* sp. LY-1-2.
• Ascoisocoumarin A and ascospinol A represent promising candidates for further investigation as anti-inflammatory agents.