Pycnidione, a fungus-derived agent, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells

► Pycnidione was first isolated from fungal Theissenia rogersii 92031201. ► Pycnidione markedly and selectively inhibited lung A549 cancer cell proliferation. ► The G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were induced by pycnidione. ► The levels of cyclins and survivin were significantly attenuated by pycnidione. ► Pycnidione caused ROS formation and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential.