Fungal Naphthalenones; Promising Metabolites for Drug Discovery: Structures, Biosynthesis, Sources, and Pharmacological Potential

Abstract

Fungi are well-known for their abundant supply of metabolites with unrivaled structure and promising bioactivities. Naphthalenones are among these fungal metabolites, that are biosynthesized through the 1,8-dihydroxy-naphthalene polyketide pathway. They revealed a wide spectrum of bioactivities, including phytotoxic, neuro-protective, cytotoxic, antiviral, nematocidal, antimycobacterial, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. The current review emphasizes the reported naphthalenone derivatives produced by various fungal species, including their sources, structures, biosynthesis, and bioactivities in the period from 1972 to 2021. Overall, more than 167 references with 159 metabolites are listed.

Keywords: bioactivities; biosynthesis; fungi; naphthalenones; phytotoxic; polyketides.

Scheme 1

Biosynthesis of compounds 1, 8, 19, 20, 22, 27, 45, 63, 65, and 131 [21,26,27].

Scheme 2

Biosynthesis of compound 133 [28].

Scheme 3

Biosynthesis of compound 140 [29].

Figure 1

Structures of compounds 1–34.

Figure 2

Structures of compounds 35–62.

Figure 3

Structures of compounds 63–76.

Figure 4

Structures of compounds 77–93.

Figure 5

Structures of compounds 94–116.

Figure 6

Structures of compounds 117–134.

Figure 7

Structures of compounds 135–144.

Figure 8

Structures of compounds 145–159.

Figure 9

Numbers of naphthalenone derivatives reported from different fungal genera.

Figure 10

Numbers of naphthalenone derivatives reported by year.

Figure 11

Promising biological activities of naphthalenone derivatives.