Asperpenoids A-C: three new lanostane triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory activities from Aspergillus ustus 3.3904

Three new lanostane triterpenoids, asperpenoids A-C (1-3), were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus ustus 3.3904. Their structures were elucidated through 1D/2D NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) spectroscopic analysis, while the absolute configurations were confirmed via single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Notably, compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, with EC₅₀ values of 14.05 and 7.49 μM, respectively. Compound 1 also dose-dependently inhibited interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in LPS-stimulated mouse splenocytes at a concentration range of 0.04-1.00 μM. Additionally, compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxic effects against HCT-116, A427, MCF-7, and HT-29, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 18.23 to 39.00 μM. This study represents the first report of triterpenoids isolated from A. ustus.