Fitoterapia. 2003 Jun; 74(4): 323-7.

Chrysanthones, a new source of fungal metabolites with potential antitumor and antiangiogenesis properties.

Giannini G, Penco S, Pisano C, Riccioni T, Nasini G, Candiani G.

Sigma-Tau S.p.A., Research and Development, Via Pontina 30 400, 00040 Pomezia, Italy.

Chrysanthones are secondary metabolites, isolated from Ascochyta chrysanthemi, with a methyl-benzoisoquinoline or methyl-benzoisochromene system. Three compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity properties on endothelial cells (EC) and two different tumor cell lines and for their ability to inhibit EC migration. Structure-function relationship considerations suggested that the methylisoquinolinic moiety is important for the cytotoxic activity, whereas the methylisochromene moiety confers an endothelial selectivity to the structures. In general, compared to the activity of known antiproliferative and antiangiogenic compounds, chrysanthones showed weaker activities. However, they present a basis for the synthesis of new derivatives.