New Azaphilones from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y-1A with Their Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumor Activities

Abstract

Nine new azaphilones, including penicilazaphilones I–N (1, 2 and 6–9), epi-geumsanol D (3) and penidioxolanes C (4) and D (5) were isolated from the culture of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y-1A. The structures of the isolates were deduced from extensive spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS), and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All the azaphilones from P. sclerotiorum E23Y-1A were tested for their anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. Penicilazaphilone N (9) showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 22.63 ± 2.95 μM, whereas penidioxolane C (4) exhibited moderate inhibition against human myeloid leukemia cells (K562), human liver cancer cells (BEL-7402), human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901), human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549), and human hela cervical cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 23.94 ± 0.11, 60.66 ± 0.13, 46.17 ± 0.17, 60.16 ± 0.26, and 59.30 ± 0.60 μM, respectively.

1. Introduction

Marine-derived fungi represent an important source of marine natural products (MNPs). More than 33% of the new MNPs (approximately 2500) were reported from marine-derived fungi between 2016 and 2020 [1]. The interest in highly diverse structural classes and the number of various bioactivities of their metabolites keeps growing considerably [2,3,4,5]. Especially in some cases, marine fungi form symbiotic relationships with other organisms through the horizontal gene transfer of a mitochondrial intron from a fungus to marine organisms, consequentially fungi-derived natural products represent the characteristics of metabolites in symbiotic organisms as well [6,7,8].

Penicillium species, an important part of marine-derived fungi mainly derived from sediments, sponges, mangrove and algae, have a complex genetic background and abundant secondary metabolites. To date, more than 580 new natural products have been identified from marine-derived Penicillium fungi, including azaphilones, polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids, and macrolides, which have displayed anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and other activities with potential application in the pharmaceutical and medical fields [9,10,11,12]. Azaphilones, a class of structurally diverse fungal metabolites mainly from Penicillium fungi, and defined as polyketides possessing a highly oxygenated pyranoquinone bicyclic core and a quaternary carbon center, have been found to exhibit various biological properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory activities [13]. In our continuing interest in finding new compounds with potential bioactivities [14,15], a chemical investigation of the fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y-1A derived from the marine sponge Holoxea sp. was performed to yield a further nine new azaphilones, including penicilazaphilones I–N (1, 2 and 6–9), epi-geumsanol D (3), and penidioxolanes C (4) and D (5) (Figure 1). The structures of the new compounds were determined by comprehensive analyses of NMR spectra, HRESIMS data, and ECD calculation. By screening of the inhibitory effects on NO production in the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, the anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated, and the results showed that compound 9 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 22.63 ± 2.95 μM. Cytotoxic activities showed that penidioxolane C (4) exhibited moderate inhibition against K562, BEL-7402, SGC-7901, A549 and Hela cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 23.94 ± 0.11, 60.66 ± 0.13, 46.17 ± 0.17, 60.16 ± 0.26, and 59.30 ± 0.60 μM, respectively. This article describes the isolation, structure elucidation, as well as anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicities of these new azaphilones.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Structure Elucidation of New Compounds

Penicilazaphilone I (1) was obtained as a yellow oil. The molecular formula of 1 was established as C₂₂H₃₂O₇ with seven degrees of unsaturation according to HRESIMS data at m/z 431.2038 (calcd. 431.2040 for C₂₂H₃₂O₇Na, [M + Na]⁺), which was confirmed by the ¹³C NMR and DEPT spectral data. The ¹³C NMR and DEPT data of compound 1 (Table 1 and Table 2) suggested the presence of 22 carbons, comprising six methyl carbons (δ_C 50.4, 20.8, 20.0, 16.4, 14.0 and 11.9), two methylene carbons (δ_C 68.0 and 29.0), eight methine carbons (δ_C 139.5, 125.0, 116.9, 105.0, 79.5, 74.5, 35.4 and 34.7) and six quaternary carbons (δ_C 194.6, 170.6, 159.6, 151.1, 80.4 and 74.4). The HMBC correlations from H-1 (δ_H 4.35, 3.80) to C-3 (δ_C 159.6) and C-4a (δ_C 151.1), from H-4 (δ_H 5.67) to C-5 (δ_C 116.9) and C-8a (δ_C 34.7), from H-5 (δ_H 5.80) to C-7 (δ_C 74.4), from H-8 (δ_H 4.98) to C-4a, the ketocarbonyl carbon C-6 (δ_C 194.6) and C-7, and from H-8a (δ_H 3.35) to C-4a, established a bicyclic core moiety [16]. Further analysis of HMBC correlations from H₃-16 (δ_H 1.36) to C-6 and the oxygenated carbon C-8 (δ_C 74.5), from H₃-20 (δ_C 2.21) to the ketocarbonyl carbon C-19 (δ_C 170.6), and from H-8 to C-19, indicated a methyl group and an acetoxy group attached at C-7 and C-8, respectively. These analysis of NMR spectra confirmed the characteristic signals of an azaphilone skeleton for compound 1. The ¹H-¹H COSY spectrum of compound 1 showed two separated correlations of H-9/H-10 and H-12/H-13/H-14 (H₃-18)/H₃-15 in the side chain as well as one correlation of H-8/H-8a/H-1 in the bicyclic core (Figure 2). The ¹H-¹H COSY correlations of H-9/H-10 and H-12/H-13/H-14 (H₃-18)/H₃-15, associated with HMBC correlations from H-10 (δ_H 6.31) to C-9 (δ_C 125.0) and C-11 (δ_C 80.4), from H-12 to C-10 (δ_C 139.5) and C-14 (δ_C 29.0), from H₃-18 (δ_H 0.90) to C-12 (δ_C 79.5) and C-14, together with the correlations from H₃-OCH₃ (δ_H 3.16) to C-11, H₃-17 (δ_H 1.29) to C-10, C-11 and C-12, established a 3-methoxy-3,5-dimethylhept-1-ene-4-ol unit. In addition, HMBC correlations from H-9 to C-3 and C-4 showed that the whole side chain was attached at C-3 of the azaphilone unit. All arrangements of 1D and 2D NMR data of compound 1 led to the construction of the planar structure of compound 1.

The relative configuration of 7R*, 8R*, 8aR*of compound 1 was suggested by NOESY correlations and ¹H-¹H coupling constants [17]. A large coupling constant (³J_{H-8/ H-8a} = 10.0 Hz) suggested that H-8 and H-8a were positioned on the opposite face [17]. Meanwhile, the NOESY correlation between H₃-16 and H-8 indicated their cofacial orientation (Figure 3). As to azaphilones possessing a branched C₇ side chain fused at C-3, the absolute configuration of C-13 was suggested as S by the common biosynthetic pathway of the aliphatic side chain [13,18,19], which was unambiguously defined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction [20], hydrolysis [21], or ECD calculation [19]. To determine the relative configuration of C-11 and C-12 in the side chain of 1, we performed theoretical NMR chemical shifts calculations of four diastereomers (Figure 4) of 1 at mPW1PW91-SCRF/6-311G(d,p)//B3LYP-D3BJ/6-31G(d) theoretical level in methanol with the GIAO method [22]. The calculated ¹³C and ¹H NMR chemical shifts of (11R*, 12R*, 13S*)-1 showed the best agreement with the experimental values. Furthermore, DP4+ analysis [23] predicted that (11R*, 12R*, 13S*)-1 was the most likely candidate with 91.85% probability (Figure S1, Tables S1 and S2). Considering these observations, the relative stereochemistry of 1 was defined as depicted in Figure 1. The absolute configuration of (7R, 8R, 8aR, 11R, 12R, 13S) of compound 1 was established by analyzing the CD curve (Figure 5) and biosynthetic considerations. Cotton effects at 232 nm, 261 nm and 377 nm were completely consistent with those of penicilazaphilone F [14] because the substitution at C-5 in azaphilone had no effect on the configuration [24]. To further verify the assigned absolute configuration of compound 1, its theoretical ECD curve was calculated. The calculated ECD curve was consistent with the experimental one (Figure 6), confirming the stereochemical assignment for compound 1.

In order to conveniently clarify the configurations of co-metabolites (compounds 2–9) of compound 1, the molecular orbital (MO) analysis of the most populated conformer of compound 1 was carried out to reveal that the positive Cotton effect around 266 nm was assigned to n→π* electron transition from acetate carbonyl to conjugated azaphilone unit, dominated by MO 105→MO 111 transition, and the negative Cotton effect around 375 nm was related to π→π* electron transition of conjugated azaphilone unit from MO 110 (HOMO)→MO 111 (LUMO) transition (Figure S2). These two characteristic Cotton effects did not involve the electron transition of the functional groups on the side chain. Therefore, the ECD curves actually established the configurations of stereocenters on the azaphilone moiety, while the configurations of stereocenters on the side chain of co-metabolites were established by their NOESY correlation, ¹H-¹H coupling constants, chemical shifts and Cotton effects with those of the known analogues, in combination with biosynthetic considerations.

Penicilazaphilone J (2) was obtained as a yellow oil and assigned the same molecular formula of C₂₂H₃₂O₇ as that of compound 1 by HRESIMS data at m/z 839.4156 (calcd. for 839.4188, C₄₄H₆₄O₁₄Na, [2M + Na]⁺) and the ¹³C NMR and DEPT spectral data. Careful comparation of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra revealed that compound 2 had the same planar structure as that of compound 1. However, the obvious difference at C-17 (△δ_C = 2.1 ppm) was observed (Table 2) and the NOESY spectrum of compound 2 exhibited a NOE correlation between H₃-OCH₃ and H-12 instead of the correlation of H₃-17 and H-12 of compound 1, which suggested H₃-OCH₃ and H-12 of compound 2 were located on the same side. However, relative configuration assignment only based on NOESY correlations is usually not reliable enough in conformationally flexible molecules such as the acyclic part of organic compounds. To irrefutably determine the relative configuration of C-11 and C-12 on the side chain of 2, the quantum chemistry–nuclear magnetic resonance calculations were employed. Following the DP4+ protocol, the calculated results showed that the experimentally observed NMR data for 2 gave a better match of the 11S*, 12R*, 13S* isomer with 99.67% probability, while the isomer 11R*, 12R*, 13S* resulted at 0.3% probability (Figures S3 and S4, Tables S3 and S4). Consequently, the relative configuration of the chain side of compound 2 was established as 11S*, 12R*, 13S*. Among the hitherto reported azaphilones possessing a branched C₇ side chain fused at C-3, the absolute configuration of C-13 in the aliphatic side chain was S, which suggests the aliphatic branch of the azaphilones originates from a shared biosynthetic pathway [13]. Thus, the absolute configuration of C-13 of compound 2 was assigned the S configuration. Consequently, the absolute configuration of the chain side of compound 2 was established as 11S, 12R, 13S. As compounds 1 and 2 were co-metabolites showing similar Cotton effects (Figure 5), the absolute stereochemistry of the azaphilone core moiety in compound 2 was proposed to be 7R, 8R, and 8aR, the same as that of compound 1. Therefore, compound 2 was identified as a chiral isomer of compound 1 at C-11.

Epi-geumsanol D (3) was obtained as a yellow oil, its molecular formula C₂₁H₃₀O₇ was assigned by analysis of HRESIMS at m/z 417.1863 (calcd. for 417.1884, C₂₁H₃₀O₇Na, [M + Na]⁺) in combination with NMR data. Careful comparison of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data of compounds 3 and 2, found that compound 3 was highly similar to compound 2 except for the absence of a methoxyl group at C-11 (Table 1 and Table 2). A large coupling constant (³J_H-8/H-8a = 10.0 Hz) suggested that H-8 and H-8a were positioned on the opposite face [17]. Meanwhile, the NOESY correlation between H₃-16 and H-8 indicated their cofacial orientation. The ³J_H-12/H-13 Value (2.1 Hz) was indicative of a gauche relationship of H-12 and H-13. The NOESY correlation between H-12 and H-13, in association with the absence of an NOESY correlation between H₃-17 and H-12 suggested the relative configuration at the side chain of compound 3 to be 11S*, 12R*, and 13S* [25,26,27]. In order to irrefutably confirm the relative configuration at the side chain of compound 3, the NMR calculation was performed and followed by a DP4+ analysis. The calculated chemical shifts of (11S*, 12R*, 13S*)-3 showed best agreement with the experimental values among the possible diastereomers and (11S*, 12R*, 13S*)-3 possessed 100% DP4+ probability (Figures S5 and S6, Tables S5 and S6), indicating that the relative configuration at the side chain of compound 3 to be 11S*, 12R*, and 13S*. Furthermore, similar Cotton effects at 245 nm, 280 nm and 377 nm to compound 2 (Figure 5), in combination with biosynthetic considerations, allowed the absolute configuration of compound 3 to be 7R, 8R, 8aR, 11S, 12R, and 13S.

Table 1. ¹H NMR data of compounds 1–9 in CDCl₃.

No.	1 a	2 a	3 b	4 a	5 a	6 a	7 a	8 a	9 a
1	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.35, dd (10.7, 5.2)	4.36, dd (10.7, 5.3)	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.86, dd, (10.9, 5.5)	4.39, dd, (10.8, 5.3)	4.28, dd, (10.7, 5.3)	7.41, s
	3.80, dd (13.7,10.8)	3.80, dd (13.6, 10.8)	3.81, dd (13.6,10.7)	3.79, dd (13.6, 10.7)	3.80, dd (13.6, 10.7)	3.81, dd, (13.4, 10.9)	3.82, dd, (13.6, 10.9)	3.73, dd, (13.8, 10.8)
4	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.68, s	5.94, s	5.96, s	5.52, s	6.37, s
5	5.80, brs	5.79, s	5.79, d (2.1)	5.80, d (2.1)	5.79, d (2.1)	5.88, brs	5.91, brs	5.70, s	5.53, s
8	4.98, d (10.0)	4.97, d (10.1)	4.98, d (10.0)	4.98, d (10.1)	4.98, d (10.0)	3.47, d (9.3)	4.99, d (10.0)	4.95, d (9.9)	3.85, d (12.2)
8a	3.35, m	3.35, m	3.35, m	3.34, m	3.34, m	3.04, m	3.37, m	3.27, m
9	6.00, d (15.9)	5.98, d (16.1)	6.19, d (15.6)	6.12, d (15.5)	6.18, d (15.4)	6.85, d (15.6)	6.84, d (15.7)	2.51, t (7.3)	6.93, d (15.8)
10	6.31, d (15.9)	6.42, d (16.1)	6.43, d (15.5)	6.37, d (15.5)	6.39, d (15.4)	6.70, d (15.7)	6.65, d (15.7)	2.68, m	6.76, d (15.7)
12	3.39, d (2.7)	3.45, s	3.49, d (2.1)	3.38, d (8.8)	3.30, d (9.6)	2.33, s	1.36, s	2.17, s	2.36, s
13	1.53, m	1.47, m	1.53, m	1.47, m	1.64, m	1.49, s	1.49, s	1.34, s	1.58, s
14	1.38, m	1.40, m	1.41, m	1.62, m	1.39, m
	1.24, m	1.28, m	1.30, m	1.07, m	1.01, m
15	0.85, t (7.4)	0.87, t (7.4)	0.90, t (7.4)	0.88, t (7.4)	0.90, t (7.3)		2.23, s	2.20, s	3.75, d (12.3)
16	1.35, s	1.34, s	1.35, s	1.36, s	1.36, s
17	1.29, s	1.31, s	1.35, s	1.41, s	1.24, s				2.48, s
18	0.90, d (6.8)	0.83, d (6.5)	0.86, d (6.8)	0.97, d (6.6)	1.04, d (6.5)
20	2.21, s	2.20, s	2.21, s	2.21, s	2.21, s
OCH3	3.16, s	3.16, s
21				4.71, d (5.0)	4.74, d (4.0)
22				1.62, m	1.60, m
23				1.60, m	1.60, m
				1.20, m	1.20, m
24				0.93, t (7.3)	0.93, t (7.3)
25				0.98, d (6.6)	0.94, d (6.6)

^a in 600 MHz; ^b in 400 MHz.

Table 1. ¹H NMR data of compounds 1–9 in CDCl₃.

No.	1 a	2 a	3 b	4 a	5 a	6 a	7 a	8 a	9 a
1	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.35, dd (10.7, 5.2)	4.36, dd (10.7, 5.3)	4.35, dd (10.8, 5.2)	4.86, dd, (10.9, 5.5)	4.39, dd, (10.8, 5.3)	4.28, dd, (10.7, 5.3)	7.41, s
	3.80, dd (13.7,10.8)	3.80, dd (13.6, 10.8)	3.81, dd (13.6,10.7)	3.79, dd (13.6, 10.7)	3.80, dd (13.6, 10.7)	3.81, dd, (13.4, 10.9)	3.82, dd, (13.6, 10.9)	3.73, dd, (13.8, 10.8)
4	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.67, s	5.68, s	5.94, s	5.96, s	5.52, s	6.37, s
5	5.80, brs	5.79, s	5.79, d (2.1)	5.80, d (2.1)	5.79, d (2.1)	5.88, brs	5.91, brs	5.70, s	5.53, s
8	4.98, d (10.0)	4.97, d (10.1)	4.98, d (10.0)	4.98, d (10.1)	4.98, d (10.0)	3.47, d (9.3)	4.99, d (10.0)	4.95, d (9.9)	3.85, d (12.2)
8a	3.35, m	3.35, m	3.35, m	3.34, m	3.34, m	3.04, m	3.37, m	3.27, m
9	6.00, d (15.9)	5.98, d (16.1)	6.19, d (15.6)	6.12, d (15.5)	6.18, d (15.4)	6.85, d (15.6)	6.84, d (15.7)	2.51, t (7.3)	6.93, d (15.8)
10	6.31, d (15.9)	6.42, d (16.1)	6.43, d (15.5)	6.37, d (15.5)	6.39, d (15.4)	6.70, d (15.7)	6.65, d (15.7)	2.68, m	6.76, d (15.7)
12	3.39, d (2.7)	3.45, s	3.49, d (2.1)	3.38, d (8.8)	3.30, d (9.6)	2.33, s	1.36, s	2.17, s	2.36, s
13	1.53, m	1.47, m	1.53, m	1.47, m	1.64, m	1.49, s	1.49, s	1.34, s	1.58, s
14	1.38, m	1.40, m	1.41, m	1.62, m	1.39, m
	1.24, m	1.28, m	1.30, m	1.07, m	1.01, m
15	0.85, t (7.4)	0.87, t (7.4)	0.90, t (7.4)	0.88, t (7.4)	0.90, t (7.3)		2.23, s	2.20, s	3.75, d (12.3)
16	1.35, s	1.34, s	1.35, s	1.36, s	1.36, s
17	1.29, s	1.31, s	1.35, s	1.41, s	1.24, s				2.48, s
18	0.90, d (6.8)	0.83, d (6.5)	0.86, d (6.8)	0.97, d (6.6)	1.04, d (6.5)
20	2.21, s	2.20, s	2.21, s	2.21, s	2.21, s
OCH3	3.16, s	3.16, s
21				4.71, d (5.0)	4.74, d (4.0)
22				1.62, m	1.60, m
23				1.60, m	1.60, m
				1.20, m	1.20, m
24				0.93, t (7.3)	0.93, t (7.3)
25				0.98, d (6.6)	0.94, d (6.6)

^a in 600 MHz; ^b in 400 MHz.

Penidioxolane C (4) was obtained as a yellow oil. The molecular formula, C₂₆H₃₈O₇ with eight degrees of unsaturation, was established by HRESIMS at m/z 463.2683 (calcd. for 463.2690, C₂₆H₃₉O₇, [M + H]⁺) in combination with its NMR data. The ¹³C NMR and DEPT data of compound 4 (Table 1 and Table 2) suggested the presence of 26 carbons, comprising seven methyl carbons (δ_C 25.2, 20.8, 20.1, 16.0, 14.1, 11.6 and 11.2), three methylene carbons (δ_C 68.1, 25.6 and 24.8), ten methine carbons (δ_C 138.9, 123.2, 116.7, 105.3, 104.8, 90.4, 74.5, 38.8, 35.2 and 34.8) and six quaternary carbons (δ_C 194.4, 170.6, 160.0, 151.2, 80.8 and 74.5). Investigation of ¹H-¹H COSY correlations of H-8/H-8a/H-1 and HMBC correlations from H-1 to C-3/ C-4a, from H-4 to C-5/C-8a, from H-5 to C-7, from H-8 to C-6, from H-8a to C-4a, together with HMBC correlations from H₃-16 to C-6/C-8, from H₃-20 to C-19, and from H-8 to C-19 indicated that compound 4 possessed the same azaphilone skeleton as that of compound 1. However, the side chain of compound 4 included the additional consecutive ¹H-¹H COSY correlations of H-21/H-22/H₂-23 (H₃-25)/H₃-24 excepting H-9/H-10 and H-12/H-13/H-14 (H₃-18)/H₃-15 were identical to compound 1. This observation was further confirmed by the HMBC correlations from H-24 to C-23, from H-23 to C-22, from H-21 to C-22, and from H-25 to C-21, no long range HMBC correlations from H-21 to C-11 and C-12 were found, and the connection position with the azaphilone unit was deduced by downfield chemical shifts of C-11 and C-12 [28] (Figure 2). All arrangements of 1D and 2D NMR data allowed the construction of the planar structure of compound 4. The relative configuration of compound 4 was suggested by ¹H-¹H coupling constants [16], together with NOESY spectral analyses. A large coupling constant (³J_8/8a = 10.1 Hz) and NOESY correlation between H₃-16 and H-8 indicated H-8 should be placed on the opposite orientation of H-8a with a cofacial orientation of H₃-16 [17]. The C-7, C-8 and C-8a chirality centers in the bicyclic core were assigned as 7R*, 8R*, 8aR*. The relative configuration of 1,3-dioxolane part of compound 4 was determined as 11S*, 12R*, 13S*, 21R*, and 22R* by NOESY correlations of H-12 (δ_H 3.38)/H₃-17 (δ_H 1.41), H-12 (δ_H 3.38)/H₃-18 (δ_H 0.97), H-12 (δ_H 3.38)/H-21 (δ_H 4.71), H-21 (δ_H 4.71)/H₃-17 (δ_H 1.41), and H-21 (δ_H 4.71)/ H₃-25 (δ_H 0.98) (Figure 3), which was irrefutably confirmed by NMR calculation followed by DP4+ analysis. The calculated chemical shifts of (11S*, 12R*, 13S*, 21R*, 22R*)-4 showed best agreement with the experimental values among the possible diastereomers and (11S*, 12R*, 13S*, 21R*, 22R*)-4 possessed 99.83% DP4+ probability (Figures S7 and S8, Tables S7 and S8). Thus, the relative stereochemistry of 4 was unambiguously defined as depicted in Figure 1. The absolute configuration of C-13 was suggested as S by the common biosynthetic pathway of the aliphatic side chain in azaphilones. Consequently, the absolute configuration of the 1,3-dioxolane part of compound 4 was assigned as 11S, 12R, 13S, 21R, and 22R. As compound 4 was a co-metabolite of compound 1 with similar Cotton effects (Figure 5), the stereochemistry of the azaphilone core moiety in compound 4 was proposed to be 7R, 8R, and 8aR as well. Therefore, the absolute configuration of compound 4 was 7R, 8R, 8aR, 11S, 12R, 13S, 21R, and 22R.

Table 2. ¹³C NMR data (125 MHz) of compounds 1–9 in CDCl₃.

No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1	68.0	68.0	68.1	68.1	68.0	69.1	68.2	68.3	147.1
3	159.6	159.6	160.0	160.0	160.0	158.1	157.7	166.4	153.5
4	105.0	104.8	104.7	104.8	105.0	110.9	110.7	101.3	114.3
4a	151.1	151.1	151.1	151.2	151.0	149.8	149.2	150.9	142.8
5	116.9	116.9	116.7	116.7	116.7	119.1	119.5	115.5	109.1
6	194.6	194.6	194.4	194.4	194.4	196.7	194.5	194.5	191.8
7	74.4	74.4	74.4	74.5	74.5	74.5	74.6	74.4	82.8
8	74.5	74.5	74.6	74.5	74.5	74.4	74.3	74.5	42.9
8a	34.7	34.7	36.4	34.8	34.8	36.7	34.7	34.4	114.4
9	125.0	125.0	122.3	123.2	122.5	135.0	134.8	28.5	131.9
10	139.5	138.4	140.0	138.9	140.8	130.3	130.4	40.1	131.0
11	80.4	80.6	76.1	80.8	80.7	197.8	197.7	206.6	196.8
12	79.5	80.2	79.4	90.4	88.8	28.7	28.5	30.1	29.0
13	35.4	35.7	34.8	35.2	34.5	20.5	19.9	20.1	23.3
14	29.0	29.2	28.9	25.6	25.4		170.5	170.6	168.3
15	11.9	12.0	12.0	11.2	11.1		20.8	20.8	57.2
16	20.0	20.0	20.1	20.1	20.1				200.0
17	16.4	18.5	26.7	25.2	21.3				30.3
18	14.0	13.8	13.4	16.0	16.4
19	170.6	170.6	170.6	170.6	170.5
20	20.8	20.8	20.8	20.8	20.8
OCH3	50.4	50.6
21				105.3	105.8
22				38.8	38.7
23				24.8	24.5
24				11.6	11.8
25				14.1	13.6

Table 2. ¹³C NMR data (125 MHz) of compounds 1–9 in CDCl₃.

No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1	68.0	68.0	68.1	68.1	68.0	69.1	68.2	68.3	147.1
3	159.6	159.6	160.0	160.0	160.0	158.1	157.7	166.4	153.5
4	105.0	104.8	104.7	104.8	105.0	110.9	110.7	101.3	114.3
4a	151.1	151.1	151.1	151.2	151.0	149.8	149.2	150.9	142.8
5	116.9	116.9	116.7	116.7	116.7	119.1	119.5	115.5	109.1
6	194.6	194.6	194.4	194.4	194.4	196.7	194.5	194.5	191.8
7	74.4	74.4	74.4	74.5	74.5	74.5	74.6	74.4	82.8
8	74.5	74.5	74.6	74.5	74.5	74.4	74.3	74.5	42.9
8a	34.7	34.7	36.4	34.8	34.8	36.7	34.7	34.4	114.4
9	125.0	125.0	122.3	123.2	122.5	135.0	134.8	28.5	131.9
10	139.5	138.4	140.0	138.9	140.8	130.3	130.4	40.1	131.0
11	80.4	80.6	76.1	80.8	80.7	197.8	197.7	206.6	196.8
12	79.5	80.2	79.4	90.4	88.8	28.7	28.5	30.1	29.0
13	35.4	35.7	34.8	35.2	34.5	20.5	19.9	20.1	23.3
14	29.0	29.2	28.9	25.6	25.4		170.5	170.6	168.3
15	11.9	12.0	12.0	11.2	11.1		20.8	20.8	57.2
16	20.0	20.0	20.1	20.1	20.1				200.0
17	16.4	18.5	26.7	25.2	21.3				30.3
18	14.0	13.8	13.4	16.0	16.4
19	170.6	170.6	170.6	170.6	170.5
20	20.8	20.8	20.8	20.8	20.8
OCH3	50.4	50.6
21				105.3	105.8
22				38.8	38.7
23				24.8	24.5
24				11.6	11.8
25				14.1	13.6

The molecular formula of penidioxolane D (5) was identical to that of compound 4 as determined by HRESIMS at m/z: 463.2688 (calcd. for 463.2690, C₂₆H₃₉O₇, [M + H]⁺). Detailed analysis of NMR spectra of compound 5 revealed that it shared the same planar structure as that of compound 4. The major changes in the ¹³C NMR data of compound 5 were the shielded signal of C-12 (−1.6 ppm) and the de-shielded signals of C-10 (+1.9 ppm) as well as the shielded signal of H-17 (−0.17 ppm) in ¹H NMR data when compared with compound 4. Moreover, in the NOESY spectrum of compound 5, combined with the correlation of H-12 (δ_H 3.30) and H-21 (δ_H 4.74), the lack of the correlations of H₃-17 (δ_H 1.24) and H-12, and H₃-17 and H-21, implied H₃-17 was the opposite orientation of H-12 and H-21 in compound 5. These observations suggested the configuration of C-11 of compound 5 was different from that of compound 4. Consequently, the configuration of C-11 of compound 5 was confirmed as R.

Penicilazaphilone K (6) was obtained as a yellow oil. The molecular formula, C₁₄H₁₆O₅, was established by the protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 265.1073 (calcd. for C₁₄H₁₇O₅, 265.1071, [M + H]⁺) in the HRESIMS, indicating seven degrees of unsaturation. Analysis of ¹H NMR spectrum (Table 1) of compound 6 revealed the presence of two methyls (δ_H 2.33, 1.49), one methylene (δ_H 4.86, 3.81), two methines (δ_H 3.47, 3.04), and four olefinic protons (δ_H 6.85, 6.70, 5.94, 5.88). The ¹³C NMR and DEPT spectra of compound 6 revealed 14 carbon resonances, including two methyls (δ_C 28.7, 20.5), one methylene (δ_C 69.1), two methines (δ_C 74.4, 36.7), six olefinic carbons (δ_C 158.1, 149.8, 135.0, 130.3, 119.1, 110.9), and three quaternary carbons (δ_C 197.8, 196.7, 74.5) (Table 2). In addition to a 1-butene-3-one unit (four carbons), the remaining 10 carbons could be assigned to a typical azaphilone skeleton with a methyl group at C-7 confirmed by HMBC correlations from H-1 to C-3 and C-4a, from H-4 to C-5 and C-8a, from H-8 to C-8a and C-1, and from H₃-13 to C-6 and C-8. The key ¹H-¹H COSY and HMBC correlations of compound 6 are shown in Figure 2. The relative configuration of 7R*, 8R*, 8aR* was established by NOESY correlation and ¹H-¹H coupling constant. A large coupling constant (³J_8/8a = 9.3 Hz) suggested that H-8 and H-8a are positioned on the opposite face [17]. The NOESY correlation between H₃-13 and H-8, meanwhile, indicated their cofacial orientation (Figure 3). Furthermore, the absolute configuration of compound 6 was established by its CD spectrum (Figure 5). The calculated ECD curve was consistent with the experimental one (Figure 6), confirming the stereochemical assignment of (7R, 8R, 8aR) for compound 6.

Penicilazaphilone L (7) was obtained as a yellow oil. The molecular formula C₁₆H₁₈O₆ with eight degrees of unsaturation was established by analysis of HRESIMS at m/z 307.1180 (calcd. for 307.1176, C₁₆H₁₉O₆, [M + H]⁺) in combination with its NMR data. The NMR data of compound 7 were quite similar to those of compound 6, with notable difference in the ¹H, ¹³C, and HSQC NMR data, being the presence of an additional acetoxy group (δ_C 170.5, δ_C 20.8, δ_H 2.23) (Table 1 and Table 2). The assignment of an acetoxy group was performed by the HMBC correlation from H₃-15 (δ_H 2.23) to the ester carbonyl C-14 (δ_C 170.5). The HMBC correlation from the oxymethine proton H-8 (δ_H 4.99) to C-14 indicated the acetoxy group connected with the oxymethine carbon C-8. The analysis of NOESY correlations and CD curve (Figure 5) determined that the configuration of compound 7 was 7R, 8R, 8aR, the same as that of compound 6.

Penicilazaphilone M (8) was obtained as a yellow oil. The molecular formula C₁₆H₂₀O₆ with seven degrees of unsaturation was established by the analysis of HRESIMS (m/z 331.1141 calcd. for 331.1152, C₁₆H₂₀NaO₆, [M + Na]⁺) in combination with its NMR data. Analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR data of compound 8 allowed construction of a structure similar to that of compound 7 with the disappearance of one double bond (∆^9,10). A large coupling constant (³J_8/8a = 9.9 Hz) and a NOESY correlation between H₃-13 and H-8 allowed the determination of the relative configuration of compound 7 [17]. The absolute configuration of (7R, 8R, 8aR) of compound 8 was confirmed by its CD curve (Figure 5) showing the same characteristics as that of compound 1.

Penicilazaphilone N (9) was obtained as a yellow amorphous solid. The molecular formula C₁₈H₁₆O₆ with 11 degrees of unsaturation was established by analysis of HRESIMS (m/z 351.0835 [M + Na]⁺) and NMR data (Table 1 and Table 2). The azaphilone skeleton of compound 9 was established by comparisons of NMR data with those of compound 6. In addition to the appearance of a double bond (∆^1,8a), further analysis of ¹³C NMR and HSQC spectra with those of compound 6 determined the presence of four additional carbon resonances, including two carbonyls (δ_C 200.0 and 168.3), one methine (δ_C 57.2), and one methyl (δ_C 30.3). The ¹H-¹H COSY correlation between H-8 (δ_H 3.85) and H-15 (δ_H 3.75), along with HMBC correlations from H-8 to C-7 (δ_C 82.8) and from H-15 to C-14 (δ_C 168.3), confirmed the presence of the γ-lactone ring (Figure 2). Furthermore, HMBC correlations from H₃-17 (δ_H 2.48) to C-15 (δ_C 57.2) and C-16 (δ_C 200.0) determined an acetyl group attached to C-15. The relative configuration of 7R*, 8R*, 15R* was established by a large coupling constant (³J_8/15 = 12.2 Hz) and NOESY correlation between H-8 and H₃-13, which suggested that H-8 and H-15 are positioned on the opposite face while H-8 and H₃-13 have a cofacial orientation (Figure 3). The absolute configurations of compound 9 could not be established by direct comparison with the CD curve of compound 9, as for other compounds, due to the presence of the γ-lactone moiety. Therefore, the theoretical ECD curve of compound 9 was calculated (Figure 5). Its calculated ECD curve of (7R, 8R, and 15R) configuration was consistent with the experimental one (Figure 6), which confirmed the absolute configurations of 9 as shown.

All of the isolated compounds (1–9) possessed a common azaphilone framework possessing a highly oxygenated pyranoquinone bicyclic core and a quaternary carbon center and their co-occurrence in the same fungus suggested that they should originate from the same biogenetic pathway. A plausible biosynthetic pathway toward the formation of compounds 1–9 can be proposed by detailed analysis of their structures (Scheme 1).

2.2. Bioassay

All compounds were tested for anti-inflammatory activity and antitumor activities in vitro. The anti-inflammatory activity test showed that compound 9 exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 22.63 ± 2.95 μM, and compounds 1, 6 and 7 exhibited weak inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 50.71 ± 8.41, 65.30 ± 7.21 and 31.84 ± 2.79 μM, respectively (Figure 7). Quercetin as a positive control showed an IC₅₀ value of 11.19 ± 0.38 μM. Further research on cell proliferation was carried out by MTT method, and the result indicated compounds 1, 6, 7 and 9 had no cytotoxicity against RAW264.7 at a concentration of 100 μM.

The isolated azaphilones were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against human myeloid leukemia cells (K562), human liver cancer cells (BEL-7402), human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901), human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549), and human hela cervical cancer cells. The results were presented in

Table 3. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–9.

Compound	IC50 ± SD (μM) a
	K562	BEL-7402	SGC-7901	A549	Hela
1	–	–	–	–	–
2	–	–	–	–	–
3	–	–	–	–	–
4	23.94 ± 0.11	60.66 ± 0.13	46.17 ± 0.17	60.16 ± 0.26	59.30 ± 0.60
5	–	–	–	–	–
6	–	–	–	–	–
7	–	–	–	–	–
8	–	–	–	–	–
9	–	–	–	–	–
cisplatin b	3.08 ± 0.05	4.02 ± 0.06	4.11 ± 0.02	1.93 ± 0.02	11.29 ± 0.15

^a Values represent means ± SD based on three parallel experiments. ^b positive control. —no activity at a concentration of 20 μg/mL.

. Penidioxolane C (4) exhibited moderate inhibition against K562, BEL-7402, SGC-7901, A549, and Hela cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 23.94 ± 0.11, 60.66 ± 0.13, 46.17 ± 0.17, 60.16 ± 0.26, and 59.30 ± 0.60 μM, respectively. Cisplatin as a positive control showed IC₅₀ values of 3.08 ± 0.05, 4.02 ± 0.06, 4.11 ± 0.02, 1.93 ± 0.02, and 11.29 ± 0.15 μM to the abovementioned cancer cells, respectively.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Experimental Procedures

Optical rotation was performed on a Perkin–Elmer 241MC polarimeter (PerkinElmer, Fremont, CA, USA). NMR data were measured using Bruker Avance III 400 and Bruker DRX 600 instruments (Bruker Biospin AG, Fällanden, Germany). All chemical shifts (δ) were given in ppm referenced to TMS and coupling constants (J) given in Hz. HRESIMS were recorded on an Agilent G6520 Q-TOF mass spectrometer. The ECD curves and UV data were collected on a Jasco J-810 spectropolarimeter (JASCO, Tokyo, Japan). IR absorptions were obtained on a Nicolet 380 FT-IR instrument (Thermo, Waltham, MA, USA) using KBr pellets. HPLC was carried out using an Agilent 1260 series liquid chromatography (Agilent Technology Co., Ltd., Santa Clara, CA, USA) equipped with a DAD G1315D detector and an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C₁₈ column (5 µm, 9.4 × 250 mm). Column chromatography was performed on a Sephadex LH-20 (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and silica gel (200–300 and 300–400 mesh; Qingdao Haiyang Chemical Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao, China).

3.2. Fungal Identification, Fermentation, and Extract

The fungus was isolated from the marine sponge Holoxea sp. collected in March 2019 from Quanfu Island, Hainan, China. It was authenticated as Penicillium sclerotiorum E23Y-1A (GenBank accession No. MW090660) via DNA amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene, along with morphological characteristics. The fungus strain was deposited at the Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-resources, Haikou, China.

The fungus P. sclerotiorum E23Y-1A was cultured in eighty-three 1000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks at room temperature for 28 days. Each flask contained 80 g rice and 120 mL water with 3.3% NaBr. After fermentation, the cultures were extracted four times with EtOAc, and 192.0 g dark brown gum was obtained.

3.3. Isolation and Purification

All extract was fractionated by vacuum liquid chromatography using silica gel as a stationary phase eluted with a step gradient of petroleum ether-EtOAc (1:0, 20:1, 10:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 5:5, 3:7 and 0:1; v/v) and CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (9:1, 8:2 and 0:1; v/v) to obtain fractions 1–25. Fraction 14 (30.0 g) was separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography eluted with MeOH and then purified by silica gel column chromatography eluted with CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (4:1; v/v) to give compound 9 (2.9 mg). Fraction 18 (5.3 g) was purified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography eluted with petroleum ether-CH₂Cl₂-MeOH (2:1:1, v/v/v) to afford subfractions N1-N14. Subfraction N5 (46.9 mg) was separated by silica gel column chromatography eluted with CH₂Cl₂-acetone (80:1; v/v) and further purified by semi-preparative HPLC using MeOH-H₂O (80:20, v/v) as mobile phase to afford compounds 4 (2.9 mg, t_R = 19.0 min) and 5 (2.7 mg, t_R = 20.0 min). Subfraction N7 (327.0 mg) was separated by silica gel column chromatography eluted with CH₂Cl₂-acetone (70:1; v/v) and further purified by semi-preparative HPLC using MeOH-H₂O (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase to afford compounds 1 (8.6 mg, t_R = 16.0 min) and 2 (12.6 mg, t_R = 17.0 min). Subfraction N10 (1.9 g) was separated by silica gel column chromatography eluted with CH₂Cl₂-acetone (70:1; v/v) and further purified by semi-preparative HPLC to afford compound 3 (5.5 mg, t_R = 13.8 min) by MeOH-H₂O (55:45, v/v), compounds 7 (3.5 mg, t_R = 16.0 min) and 8 (2.2 mg, t_R = 18.0 min) by MeOH-H₂O (42:58, v/v), and compound 6 (3.5 mg, t_R = 17.0 min) by MeOH-H₂O (35:65, v/v).

Penicilazaphilone I (1): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −193.1 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 245 (2.96), 350 (3.63) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3419, 2931, 1745, 1661, 1586, 1379, 1229, 1060 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 431.2038 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd. for 431.2040, C₂₂H₃₂O₇Na); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penicilazaphilone J (2): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −223.3 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 245 (3.03), 350 (3.75) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3445, 2930, 1744, 1659, 1586, 1378, 1230, 1061 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 839.4156 [2M + Na]⁺ (calcd. for 839.4188, C₄₄H₆₄O₁₄Na); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Epi-geumsanol D (3): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −114.8 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 246 (2.93), 350 (3.53) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3433, 2930, 1641, 1584, 1380, 1232, 1062 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 417.1863 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd. for 417.1884, C₂₁H₃₀O₇Na); ¹H NMR (400 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penidioxolane C (4): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −113.0 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 244 (2.90), 351 (3.57) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3451, 2932, 1746, 1587, 1376, 1225, 1103 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 463.2683 [M + H]⁺ (calcd. for 463.2690, C₂₆H₃₉O₇); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penidioxolane D (5): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −170.3 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 245 (2.95), 349 (3.63) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3417, 2928, 1648, 1587, 1376, 1229, 1101 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 463.2688 [M + H]⁺ (calcd. for 463.2690, C₂₆H₃₉O₇); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penicilazaphilone K (6): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −161.1 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 245 (3.01), 349 (3.54) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3420, 2924, 1708, 1594, 1338, 1063 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 265.1073 [M + H]⁺ (calcd. for 265.1071, C₁₄H₁₇O₅); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penicilazaphilone L (7): yellow solid; [α]²⁵_D −81.5 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 246 (2.82), 350 (3.43) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3431, 2925, 1661, 1602, 1376, 1231, 1056 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 307.1180 [M + H]⁺ (calcd. for 307.1176, C₁₆H₁₉O₆); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penicilazaphilone M (8): yellow oil; [α]²⁵_D −215.0 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 213 (2.73), 323 (3.38) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3427, 2923, 1717, 1601, 1232, 1038 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 331.1141 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd. for 331.1152, C₁₆H₂₀O₆Na); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

Penicilazaphilone N (9): yellow solid; [α]²⁵_D +68.2 (c 0.1, MeOH); UV (MeOH) λ_max (logε) 229 (3.24), 290 (3.28), 372 (3.20) nm; IR (KBr) ν_max 3460, 2925, 1773, 1612, 1250, 1090 cm⁻¹; HRESIMS m/z: 351.0835 [M + Na]⁺ (calcd. for 351.0839, C₁₈H₁₆O₆Na); ¹H NMR (600 MHz) and ¹³C NMR (125 MHz) data in CDCl₃; see Table 1 and Table 2.

3.4. NMR Calculation

Conformers of compounds were generated using the Confab [29] program ebbed in the Openbabel 3.1.1 software. All the conformers were further optimized with xtb at GFN2 level [30] and the conformers with population over 1% were subjected to geometry optimization using the Gaussian 16 package [31] at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level. The obtained conformers within an energy window of 3 kcal/mol were kept. Then, these conformers were refined by re-optimizations at B3LYP-D3BJ/6-311G (d,p) with IEFPCM solvent model in chloroform. Frequency analysis of all optimized conformations were also performed at the same level of theory to exclude the imaginary frequencies. NMR shielding tensors were calculated with the GIAO method at mPW1PW91/6-31 + G (d,p) level with IEFPCM solvent modeling in chloroform. The shielding constants were converted into chemical shifts by referencing to TMS at 0 ppm (δcal = σTMS − σcal), where the σTMS (the shielding constant of TMS) was calculated at the same level. Considering the almost same chemical shift of the azaphilone moiety, we only used the chemical shift of the side chain of 1–4 for the analysis to decrease the systematic error. For each candidate, the parameters a and b of the linear regression δcal = aδexp + b; the correlation coefficient, R2; the mean absolute error (MAE) defined as Σn |δcal − δexp|/n; the corrected mean absolute error, CMAE, defined as Σn |δcorr – δexp|/n, where δcorr = (δcal − b)/a, were calculated. DP4+ probability analysis was performed using the calculated NMR shielding tensors [23].

3.5. ECD Calculation

The conformers of compounds were generated using the Confab [29] program ebbed in the Openbabel 3.1.1 software, and further optimized with xtb at GFN2 level [30]. The conformers with population over 1% were subjected to geometry optimization using the Gaussian 16 package [31] at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level and proceeded to calculation of excitation energies, oscillator strength, and rotatory strength at B3LYP/TZVP level in the polarizable continuum model (PCM, methanol). The ECD spectra were Boltzmann weighted and generated using SpecDis 1.71 software [32].

3.6. Anti-Inflammatory Activity Test

All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages (Stem Cell Bank of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China) using the Griess assay [33]. The cells were cultured in DMEM medium (Thermo Fisher scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) in a humidified 5% CO₂/95% air atmosphere at 37 °C. Each compound was diluted in half by concentration gradients (200 μM, 100 μM, 50 μM, 25 μM, 12.5 μM). Quercetin (Sigma Company, St. Louis, MO, USA) was used as positive controls and media with DMSO as negative control. The effects on cell viability of compounds was measured using MTT method.

3.7. Cytotoxic Detection

All compounds were assayed for their cytotoxic activities against five human tumor cell lines: human myeloid leukemia cells (K562), human liver cancer cells (BEL-7402), human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901), human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549), and human hela cervical cancer cells which were bought from the Cell Bank of Type Culture Collection of Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, using modified MTT methods [34]. Briefly, the abovementioned human tumor cell lines were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium with 10% FBS under a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ and 95% air at 37 °C, and 198 μL of cell suspension was plated in 96-well microtiter plates. An amount of 2 μL of the test solutions in DMSO was added to each well and further incubated for 36 h after being incubated for 24 h. An amount of 20 μL of MTT solution (5 mg/mL in RPMI-1640 medium) was added to each well and incubated for 4 h. Finally, 150 μL of medium containing MTT was gently replaced by DMSO and pipetted to dissolve any formazan crystals formed. Absorbance was tested on a Multiskan FC photometric microplate reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific) at 570 nm. Cisplatin was used as a positive control.

4. Conclusions

In summary, the investigation of P. sclerotiorum E23Y-1A derived from the marine sponge Holoxea sp. resulted in the isolation of nine new azaphilones (1–9), of which compounds 1–5 were identified as azaphilones possessing a branched C₇ side chain fused at C-3. Compounds 6–9 were characteristic of the branded C₄ side chain fused C-3, which are uncommonly found in nature. The bioassay of anti-inflammatory activity results revealed that compound 9 exhibited moderate inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 22.63 ± 2.95 μM, and compounds 1, 6 and 7 exhibited weak inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 50.71 ± 8.41, 65.30 ± 7.21, and 31.84 ± 2.79 μM, respectively. The test of cytotoxic activities showed that penidioxolane C (4) exhibited moderate inhibition against K562, BEL-7402, SGC-7901, A549, and Hela cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 23.94 ± 0.11, 60.66 ± 0.13, 46.17 ± 0.17, 60.16 ± 0.26, and 59.30 ± 0.60 μM, respectively.