Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans

doi:10.1007/s13659-026-00592-5

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2026, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (3): 40-40.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-026-00592-5

• ORIGINAL ARTICLES • Previous Articles

Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans

Wen-Yu Lu¹, Qing-Hui Xiao², Ai-Lin Liang¹, Peng-Ju Xu¹, Jing Li^1,2,3, Wen-Xuan Wang^1,3

1. Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China;
2. Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China;
3. Hunan Prima Drug Research Center Co., Ltd, Hunan Research Center for Drug Safety Evaluation, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of New Drugs, Changsha 410331, Hunan, People's Republic of China

Received:2025-11-04 Online:2026-06-24
Contact: Jing Li,E-mail:lijingliyun@csu.edu.cn;Wen-Xuan Wang,E-mail:wangwenxuan@csu.edu.cn
Supported by:
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (82173713), and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2024JJ8127). Project of Hunan Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (B2023059), Changsha Municipal Natural Science Foundation (kq2403041). Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (No. 2024ZZTS0990).

Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans

Wen-Yu Lu¹, Qing-Hui Xiao², Ai-Lin Liang¹, Peng-Ju Xu¹, Jing Li^1,2,3, Wen-Xuan Wang^1,3

1. Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China;
2. Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China;
3. Hunan Prima Drug Research Center Co., Ltd, Hunan Research Center for Drug Safety Evaluation, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of New Drugs, Changsha 410331, Hunan, People's Republic of China

通讯作者: Jing Li,E-mail:lijingliyun@csu.edu.cn;Wen-Xuan Wang,E-mail:wangwenxuan@csu.edu.cn
基金资助:
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (82173713), and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2024JJ8127). Project of Hunan Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (B2023059), Changsha Municipal Natural Science Foundation (kq2403041). Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (No. 2024ZZTS0990).

Abstract

Abstract: Six new polyketides, peniexpansones A-F (1-4, 6, 7), along with an additional novel compound, (2E,4E,6E)-8-methyldeca-2,4,6-trienoic acid (5), and a known naphthopyrone, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of rice fermented with the soil fungus Penicillium expansum DWS880. Structurally, peniexpansones A-D feature a highly oxygenated tetrahydronaphthalene moiety linked to an acyl chain. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS) and further supported by quantum chemical calculations. Peniexpansone C showed weak cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC₅₀ 22.81 ± 0.42 μM) and moderate antimicrobial activity against pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Moreover, peniexpansones A and B, can significantly improve the anti-fungal activity of fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans. Our results provided new structures for the future development of efficiency enhancement agents for anti-fungal drugs.

Key words: Penicillium expansum, Polyketides, ECD calculation, Anti-fungal activity enhancement

摘要： Six new polyketides, peniexpansones A-F (1-4, 6, 7), along with an additional novel compound, (2E,4E,6E)-8-methyldeca-2,4,6-trienoic acid (5), and a known naphthopyrone, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of rice fermented with the soil fungus Penicillium expansum DWS880. Structurally, peniexpansones A-D feature a highly oxygenated tetrahydronaphthalene moiety linked to an acyl chain. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS) and further supported by quantum chemical calculations. Peniexpansone C showed weak cytotoxicity against HCT116 cells (IC₅₀ 22.81 ± 0.42 μM) and moderate antimicrobial activity against pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Moreover, peniexpansones A and B, can significantly improve the anti-fungal activity of fluconazole against resistant Candida albicans. Our results provided new structures for the future development of efficiency enhancement agents for anti-fungal drugs.

关键词: Penicillium expansum, Polyketides, ECD calculation, Anti-fungal activity enhancement

Wen-Yu Lu, Qing-Hui Xiao, Ai-Lin Liang, Peng-Ju Xu, Jing Li, Wen-Xuan Wang. Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans[J]. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 2026, 16(3): 40-40.

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Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans

Peniexpansones A-F: polyketides from Penicillium expansum DWS880 capable of enhancing the activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans

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