Four new indole-diterpene alkaloids asperindoles A–D (1–4) and the known p-terphenyl derivative 3″-hydroxyterphenyllin (5) were isolated from the marine-derived strain of the fungus Aspergillus sp., associated with an unidentified colonial ascidian. The structures of 1–5 were established by 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of all stereocenters of 1–4 were determined by the combination of ROESY data, coupling constants analysis, and biogenetic considerations. Asperindoles C and D contain a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) residue, rarely found in natural compounds. Asperindole A exhibits cytotoxic activity against hormone therapy-resistant PC-3 and 22Rv1, as well as hormone therapy-sensitive human prostate cancer cells, and induces apoptosis in these cells at low-micromolar concentrations.

Three new indole alkaloids, shearinines D, E, and F (1-3), together with the known shearinine A (4) were isolated from the marine-derived strain of the fungus Penicillium janthinellum Biourge. The chemical structures of 1-4 were established by 2D NMR and HREIMS data. Shearinines A, D, and E induce apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells, and shearinine E also inhibits EGF-induced malignant transformation of JB6 P+ Cl 41 cells in a soft agar.

A new sesquiterpene of the caryophyllene series, fuscoatrol А (1), and known compounds, 11 epiterpestacin (2) and β nitropropionic acid (3), were isolated from the marine fungus Humicola fuscoatra (Traaen) KMM 4629 associated with the Kuril colonial ascidium. The structure of 1 was established on the basis of X ray diffraction data and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-3 were studied.