Antimicrobial polyketides from the endophytic fungus Fusarium asiaticum QA-6 derived from medicinal plant Artemisia argyi

Seven previously undescribed polyketide derivatives, fusariumtides A–G (1–7), together with three known analogues (8–10), were isolated from the culture extract of Fusarium asiaticum QA-6, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh stem tissue of the medicinal plant Artemisia argyi H. Lev. & Vaniot. Their structures were elucidated by detailed interpretation of 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was established on the basis of X-ray crystallographic analysis and ECD and specific rotation (SR) calculations. The isolated compounds, which possessed a functionalized decalin moiety, were evaluated for antimicrobial activities. Compounds 1 and 10 exhibited broad-spectrum inhibitory activities against nine tested pathogenic bacteria with MIC values ranging from 1 to 64 μg/mL, while compound 8 showed potent inhibitory activities against aquatic pathogens Aeromonas hydrophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio harveyi, and V. vulnificus, which were comparable to/or stronger than those of the positive control chloramphenicol. Seven previously undescribed antimicrobial polyketides fusariumtides A–G (1–7), which possessed a functionalized decalin moiety, were identified from Fusarium asiaticum QA-6, an endophytic fungus associated with the medicinal plant Artemisia argyi. [Display omitted] •Polyketides of Artemisia argyi associated Fusarium asiaticum QA-6 were studied.•Seven previously undescribed polyketides fusariumtides A–G were identified.•All these polyketides possessed a functionalized decalin moiety.•Fusarielin G exhibited potent activities against several aquatic pathogens.