Steroid Components of Marine-Derived Fungal Strain N33.2 and Their Biological Activities.

Genus comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to . The chemical compounds in the culture broth of strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol , ergosterol peroxide , and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol . Among these, was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 µg/mL, respectively, while the compound showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37 ± 1.35% at 25 µg/mL by the compound . Interestingly, compounds and exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a fungus.