MDN-0185, an Antiplasmodial Polycyclic Xanthone Isolated from <i>Micromonospora</i> sp. CA-256353

A potent antiplasmodial polycyclic xanthone, MDN-0185 (<b>1</b>), was isolated from an unidentified species of the genus <i>Micromonospora</i>. The planar structure of <b>1</b> was established as a seven-ring polycyclic xanthone with partial structures very similar to two known natural products, namely, xantholipin and Sch 54445. Using ROESY correlations, the relative stereochemistry of the two independent stereoclusters of compound <b>1</b> could be determined. Mosher analysis and comparison of the specific rotation of compound <b>1</b> with that of xantholipin allowed the determination of its absolute configuration. Compound <b>1</b> exhibited an IC₅₀ of 9 nM against <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> 3D7 parasites