Benzyl derivatives with in vitro binding affinity for human opioid and cannabinoid receptors from the fungus Eurotium repens

J Nat Prod. 2011 Jul 22;74(7):1636-9. doi: 10.1021/np200147c. Epub 2011 Jun 13.

Abstract

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the fungus Eurotium repens resulted in the isolation of two new benzyl derivatives, (E)-2-(hept-1-enyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzene-1,4-diol (1) and (E)-4-(hept-1-enyl)-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2,5-diol (2), along with seven known compounds (3-9) including five benzaldehyde compounds, flavoglaucin (3), tetrahydroauroglaucin (4), dihydroauroglaucin (5), auroglaucin (6), and 2-(2',3-epoxy-1',3'- heptadienyl)-6-hydroxy-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzaldehyde (7), one diketopiperazine alkaloid, echinulin (8), and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylphthalide (9). The chemical structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS data. Compounds 1-4 and 6 showed good binding affinity for human opioid or cannabinoid receptors. These findings have important implications for psychoactive studies with this class of compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Benzene Derivatives / isolation & purification*
  • Benzene Derivatives / pharmacology*
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / isolation & purification*
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Eurotium / chemistry*
  • Georgia
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Opioid / drug effects*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • (E)-2-(hept-1-enyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)benzene-1,4-diol
  • (E)-4-(hept-1-enyl)-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2,5-diol
  • Alkaloids
  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Benzofurans
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Opioid