Terpenoids with neurotrophic and anti-neuroinflammatory activities from the cultures of the fungus<i>Cyathus stercoreus</i>

Abstract

Three new cyathane diterpenoids named stercorins A-C (<b>1-3</b>), including one with unusual 4,9-<i>seco</i>-carbon skeleton, together with two new drimane sesquiterpenoids named stercorins D (<b>4</b>) and E (<b>5</b>) were isolated from the liquid cultures of the basidiomycete <i>Cyathus stercoreus</i>. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR data in conjunction with HR-ESI-MS. All three cyathane diterpenoids showed neurotrophic activity in PC-12 cells at concentrations of 10 <i>µ</i>M. Compounds <b>1-3</b> significantly suppressed LPS-induced NO production in culture medium in BV2 cells with the IC₅₀ values of 1.64 <i>μ</i>M, 9.25 <i>μ</i>M and 8.71 <i>μ</i>M, respectively. Notably, Compound <b>1</b>, possessing an uncommon medium-sized 9/7 ring system showed the most promising role in the prevention of two activities-associated neurodegenerative diseases.