Isoechinulin-type alkaloids, variecolorins A-L, from halotolerant Aspergillus variecolor.

Twelve new compounds, variecolorins A-L ( 1- 12), together with eleven known analogues ( 13- 23) were isolated from the broth of a halotolerant fungus, Aspergillus variecolor. The structures of compounds 1- 12 were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1- 11, 13- 15, and 20- 23 exhibited weak radical scavenging activity against DPPH, with IC 50 values from 43 to 103 microM. The new compounds 1- 12 all were essentially nontoxic against the P388, HL-60, BEL-7402, and A-549 cell lines with IC 50 values from 70 to 260 microM.