Alkaloids from the Fungus Penicillium spathulatum as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Benzomalvin A (1), quinolactacins A1 (2), A2 (3) and B (4), quinolonimide (5), asperphenamate (6), and a new halogenated polyhydroxyanthraquinone, namely 2-chloro-6-[2'(S)-hydroxypropyl]-1,3,8-trihydroxy-anthraquinone (7), were isolated from an organic extract obtained from the solid culture of Penicillium spathulatum B35. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated as an epimeric mixture, and compound 4 as a racemate. The structure of 7 was elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR, combined with computational methods (density functional theory).

Metabolic syndrome and selenium during gestation and lactation.

Purpose: Selenium (Se) has a dual role in metabolic syndrome (MS) development as it has an antioxidant action against both "good" and "bad" reactive oxygen species. This study evaluates Se body profile in dams which present MS during gestation and lactation, in order to elucidate a normal dietary Se's implication in this pathology.

Method: Rats were randomized into control (C) and fructose (F) groups.

Phytotoxic eremophilane sesquiterpenes from the coprophilous fungus Penicillium sp. G1-a14.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of an extract from the grain-based culture of the coprophilous fungus Penicillium sp. G1-a14 led to the isolation of a new eremophilane-type sesquiterpene, 3R,6R-dihydroxy-9,7(11)-dien-8-oxoeremophilane (1), along with three known analogues, namely, isopetasol (2), sporogen AO-1 (3), and dihydrosporogen AO-1 (4). The structure of 1 was elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Calmodulin inhibitors from natural sources: an update.

Calmodulin (CaM) plays a central role in regulating a myriad of cellular functions in physiological and pathophysiological processes, thus representing an important drug target. In previous reviews, our group has reported relevant information regarding natural anti-CaM compounds up to 2009. Natural sources continue to provide a diverse and unique reservoir of CaM inhibitors for drug and research tool discovery.

Calmodulin inhibitors from Aspergillus stromatoides.

An organic extract was prepared from the culture medium and mycelia of the marine fungus Aspergillus stromatoides RAPER & FENNELL. The extract was fractionated via column chromatography, and the resulting fractions were tested for their abilities to quench the fluorescence of the calmodulin (CaM) biosensor hCaM M124C-mBBr. From the active fraction, emodin (1) and ω-hydroxyemodin (2) were isolated as CaM inhibitors.