N-Me-trichodermamide B isolated from Penicillium janthinellum, with antioxidant properties through Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway.

A new trichodermamide-like alkaloid, N-Me-trichodermamide B (compound 1), was isolated from a marine fungus Penicillium janthinellum HDN13-309. The structure and absolute configuration of compound 1 were determined by extensive NMR analysis and the modified Mosher's method. This new alkaloid exhibited cellular protection from the H2 O2 -induced oxidative damage, and the mechanism study revealed that this antioxidant activity was regulated through Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway in HaCaT human keratinocytes. In addition, the inhibitor of p38 abrogated compound 1-induced phosphorylation of p38, up-expression of HO-1, and the nuclear localization of Nrf2. As a result, it suggested that this new alkaloid-induced antioxidant signaling pathway might be initiated through activation of p38.