Ergostanes and Cytochalasin From the Fruiting Bodies of Xylaria longipes Nitschke and Their Cytotoxicity Evaluation.
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Journal_of_Chemistry_-_2026_-_Njue_-_Ergostanes_and_Cytochalasin_From_the_Fruiting_Bodies_of_Xylaria_longipes_Nitschke_and.pdf
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
January 14, 2026
Abstract
Four ergostanes—ergosta-7,22,24(28)-trien-3β-ol (1), ergosta-7,24(28)-dien-3-one (2), ergosta-7,22,24(28)-trien-3-one (3),and ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (4)—and one cytochalasin, zygosporin D (5), were isolated from Xylaria longipes.Two compounds, 2 and 3, are novel but have a similar structure to Compound (1), except for the keto group at the C-3carbon and the C-22 double bond being reduced. Compound 5 was the most active at a single-dose concentration against themajority of breast cancer and CNS cell lines evaluated. Te NCI COMPARE Analysis tool was used to investigate the mode ofaction of Compound 5 in one-dose screening and revealed no correlations, suggesting that Compound 5 may have a novelmode of action. Compound 5 was further subjected to molecular docking studies, which revealed its potential to interactwith multiple cancer drug targets, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, cyclin-dependent kinases 2 and6, ATPase/AMP-PNP domain, and antiapoptotic protein BCL-2, with binding afnity scores of −8.23, −9.25, −9.99, −9.43,and −9.15 kcal/mol, respectively. Tis molecule was also predicted to have a high drug-likeness and good ADMET properties.Additionally, the diversity of compounds isolated from this Xylaria species highlights its potential as a valuable source fordrug leads.Keywords: cytochalasin; ergostane; National Cancer Institute (NCI); Xylaria longipes1. IntroductionCancer ranks among the primary causes of mortality globally.Although chemotherapy has long been a primary cancertreatment, it often impacts healthy cells as well, leading tosignifcant side efects and potential drug resistance [1]. Asa result, natural-based alternative medicines are gaining tractionin cancer drug development eforts [2]. Of these, fungal me-tabolites have gained recognition within the scientifc com-munity as a good source of new anti-infective molecules [3].Te genus Xylaria is the largest within the Xylariaceaefamily, encompassing 300 recognized species of stromaticpyrenomycetes. Tey are small flamentous ascomycetefungi and mostly wood-inhabiting fungi causing white rot[4]. Tey are encountered on woody substrates such asstumps and fallen branches of trees. Members of this groupcan also grow in soil, dung, and leaf litter [5]. EndolichenicXylaria fungi constitute a diverse group that primarily in-habits the interior of lichen thalli asymptomatically [6].Tese fungi generate a broad range of secondary metabolitesWileyJournal of ChemistryVolume 2026, Article ID 2027635, 14 pageshttps://doi.org/10.1155/joch/2027635
Contributor (person)
Basu Roy, Sohini
Project(s)
Priority 5: Enhanced Partnerships
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, United Kingdom | |
National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kenya | |
International Foundation for Science, Sweden | Grant no. I1-F-6556–1 |
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Germany | Georg Forster Postdoctoral Fellowship, Ref. 3.4-KEN-1231367-GF-P |
Journal title
Journal of Chemistry
Article number
2027635
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Place of publication
UK
ISSN
2090-9063
eISSN
2090-9071
Date accepted
December 16, 2025
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IF = 2.6 (2024)