6,9-Dihydroxy-3(15)-caryophyllen-4,8-dione--a new antibiotic from a Marasmius species.

6,9-Dihydroxy-3(15)-caryophyllen-4,8-dione (1), a new cytotoxic caryophyllane sesquiterpene, was isolated from fermentations of a tropical Marasmius species. The structure was established by spectroscopic methods. 1 exhibits strong cytotoxic effects on different cell lines, but only weak antimicrobial activities. 1 weakly inhibits the incorporation of leucine and thymidine into proteins and DNA of mammalian cells and interferes with the aggregation of human and bovine platelets.