Dihydroanthracenone metabolites from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis isolated from Annona squamosa

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Diaporthe melonis, isolated from Annona squamosa, yielded two new dihydroanthracenone atropodiastereomers, diaporthemins A (1) and B (2), together with the known flavomannin-6,6′-di-O-methyl ether (3). The structures of the new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as by high resolution mass spectrometry and by CD spectroscopy. Compounds 1-3 were tested for their antimicrobial activity against a multi-resistant clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus 25697, a susceptible reference strain of S. aureus ATCC 29213 and against Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619. Compound 3 strongly inhibited S. pneumonia growth with a MIC value of 2 μg/mL, and showed moderate activity against the S. aureus multi-resistant clinical isolate and susceptible reference strain (MIC 32 μg/mL), whereas 1 and 2 were not active against the tested strains.

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