Bioactive metabolites of Schisanlactone E transformed by Cunninghamella blakesleana AS 3.970

Schisanlactone E (SE) is a major triterpene obtained from the plants of genus Kadsura. The aim of this research was to investigate the transformed metabolites of SE by fungi and evaluate the bioactivities of these products. After screening 10 strains of filamentous fungi, Cunninghamella blakesleana AS 3.970 was chosen as a potent organism to be used for the biotransformation of SE. 13 metabolites were obtained and determined to be new compounds through the use of spectroscopic data, including UV, 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HR-ESIMS. Furthermore, in an in vitro bioassay, metabolites 7 and 9 showed moderate inhibitory effects on the nitric oxide production in LPS-induced macrophages with IC50 values of 16.73, 5.91 μM, respectively; 9 could inhibit the proliferation of acetaldehyde-induced HSC-T6 cells, with the IC50 value of 21.4 μM. Preliminary findings on the structure–activity relationships for these metabolites were also discussed.

Schisanlactone E (SE), a typical triterpene obtained from the plants of Kadsura genus, was transformed by Cunninghamella blakesleana AS 3.970. As a result, 13 new metabolites were obtained by various chromatography techniques.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (125 K)Download as PowerPoint slide