Isopestacin, an isobenzofuranone from Pestalotiopsis microspora, possessing antifungal and antioxidant activities

Abstract

Isopestacin is an isobenzofuranone obtained from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora. While a few other isobenzofuranones are known from natural sources, isopestacin is the only one having a substituted benzene ring attached at the C-3 position of the furanone ring. The compound was isolated from culture broths of the fungus and crystallized and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Both proton and carbon NMR spectral assignments are also reported for isopestacin. This compound possesses antifungal activity and, as measured by electron spin resonance specroscopy, it also behaves as an antioxidant scavenging both superoxide and hydroxy free radicals.