A New Azaphilone From the Marine Sponge-Associated Fungus Botryosporium pulchrum

Area of Science:

• Natural Product Chemistry
• Marine Mycology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Marine-derived fungi are a rich source of novel bioactive compounds.
• The genus Botryosporium is largely unexplored for its secondary metabolite production.
• Azaphilones represent a class of fungal metabolites with diverse biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize secondary metabolites from the marine sponge-associated fungus Botryosporium pulchrum.
• To investigate the potential anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds.

Main Methods:

• Chemical investigation using spectroscopic data analysis (NMR, MS).
• Determination of absolute configuration via single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
• Assessment of anti-inflammatory activity using a CuSO4-induced transgenic zebrafish model.

Main Results:

• Isolation and structural elucidation of a new tetracyclic azaphilone, botryazaphilone (1).
• Identification of two known azaphilones, chermesinone A (2) and perangustol B (3).
• Botryazaphilone (1), chermesinone A (2), and perangustol B (3) demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory activities.

Conclusions:

• Botryosporium pulchrum produces a novel tetracyclic azaphilone, botryazaphilone.
• This study represents the first report of secondary metabolites from the genus Botryosporium.
• The isolated azaphilones warrant further investigation for their anti-inflammatory properties.