(±) Benzomalvins E isolated from Penicillium sp. SYPF 8411 in the rhizosphere soil of Codonopsis clematidea.

(+) Benzomalvins E (1) and (-) Benzomalvins E (2), a pair of epimeric derivatives, together with three known benzomalvins (3-5), were isolated from solid cultures of a interrhizospheric fungus Penicillium sp. SYPF 8411. The planar structure of (+) Benzomalvins E (1) has been previously reported. While, the absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis for the first time. The planar structure of the new compound 2 were elucidated by detailed interpretation of their HR ESI-TOF MS and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compound 2 was established by Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced CD spectral data and the electronic circular dichroic (ECD) method. Furthermore, the epimerization induced by pH, temperature and H2O was revealed. Benzomalvins (1-3, 5), a type of indoximod, enhanced the cytotoxic capability of 5-fluorouracil against A549.