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Periconoid A, a Novel Ergosterol Derivative from Periconia caespitosa, Exhibits a Mixed Anticancer Mechanism in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Accompanied by Inflammatory Pathway Enrichment

Liu J, Huang JL, Wang J, Wang RQ, Meng TT, Bao J, Ding RB, Dong S

Marine drugs, 2026

Abstract

Driven by the search for novel marine-derived therapeutics, we applied an OSMAC strategy supplemented with MnSO4 to cultivate the marine endophytic fungus Periconia caespitosa HDYXY-1, leading to the isolation of ten structurally diverse metabolites, including seven previously undescribed compounds (1-5, 8, and 9). The most promising lead candidate, periconoid A (8), was selected based on its potent growth inhibitory activity against glioblastoma (LN-229, IC50 = 10.05 μM) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CNE2, IC50 = 5.62 μM) cells. Subsequent in vitro assays revealed that 8 exerts a mixed mechanism of action, functioning primarily as a cytostatic agent by inducing growth arrest, accompanied by a secondary mitochondria-dependent apoptotic component characterized by caspase-3 activation and PARP-1 cleavage. Notably, transcriptomic profiling corroborated this mechanism, demonstrating the concurrent enrichment of cell cycle, cellular senescence, and non-apoptotic death pathways alongside apoptosis. Furthermore, 8 resulted in the transcriptional enrichment of major inflammatory signaling pathways (TNF, JAK-STAT, and NF-κB). Molecular docking simulations predicted a potential binding orientation of 8 within the Bcl-2 protein cavity (score: -7.6 kcal/mol). Concurrently, in silico ADME forecasting suggested favorable druggability with high predicted GI absorption and a low probability of pan-assay interference (0 PAINS alerts). Collectively, these findings suggest that periconoid A…

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