Chemical study of the strain Cordyceps spp. from cell fusion between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps cicadae

Abstract

Chemical investigation on the cultures of the fungus Cordyceps spp., a strain from cell fusion between Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps cicadae, resulted in the isolation of 13 compounds including 2 new ones named 2-(5-(3-oxobutyl) furan-2-yl) acetic acid (1) and cordycepone (2). Their structures were elucidated from the analysis of 1D/2D NMR and CD data. Among them, compounds 1, 7–9, at a concentration of 50 μg/ml, showed weak inhibitory activity against AChE. Moreover, compounds 6, 9, and 11 showed moderate inhibitory activity against the nematode Panagrellus redivivus with mortality ratio of 79.0, 71.7, and 72.3% at 2.5 mg/ml, respectively.

Keywords:

• Clavicipitaceae
• Cordyceps spp
• lactone
• cyclic dipeptide
• AChE inhibitory activity
• anti-nematode activity