Tubulin Inhibitors from an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from <i>Cedrus deodara</i>

Abstract

From an endophytic fungus, a close relative of <i>Talaromyces</i> sp., found in association with <i>Cedrus deodara</i>, four compounds including two new ones (<b>2</b> and <b>4</b>) were isolated and characterized. The structures of two compounds (<b>1</b> and <b>4</b>) were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The compounds displayed a range of cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, A-549, HEP-1, THP-1, and PC-3). All the compounds were found to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells, as evidenced by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy studies. Also, the compounds caused significant microtubule inhibition in HL-60 cells