A microbial model of mammalian metabolism: biotransformation of 4,5-dimethoxyl-canthin-6-one usingCunninghamella blakesleeanaCGMCC 3.970

1. A filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana CGMCC 3.970, was applied as a microbial system to mimic mammalian metabolism of 4,5-dimethoxyl-canthin-6-one (1). Compound 1 belongs to canthin-6-one type alkaloids, which is a major bioactive constituent of a traditional Chinese medicine (the stems of Picrasma quassioides). 2. After 72 h of incubation in potato dextrose broth, 1 was metabolized to seven metabolites as follows:...