Hypocrellin A is a perylenequinoid that has been found in Shiraia bambusicola and has diverse biological activities.1,2 It is active against C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis fungi (IC50s = 0.65, 1, and 85 ?g/ml, respectively), as well as S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), P. aeruginosa, and M. intracellulare bacteria (IC50s = 3, 7, 10, and 2.5 ?g/ml, respectively).1 Hypocrellin A is also active against L. donovani promastigotes (IC50 = 0.27 ?g/ml). Upon photoactivation with UV radiation, hypocrellin A induces production of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis and reduces cell viability of A549 cancer cells.2
1.Ma, G., Khan, S.I., Jacob, M.R., et al.Antimicrobial and antileishmanial activities of hypocrellins A and BAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.48(11)4450-4452(2004) 2.Qi, S., Guo, L., Yan, S., et al.Hypocrellin A-based photodynamic action induces apoptosis in A549 cells through ROS-mediated mitochondrial signaling pathwayActa Pharm. Sin. B.9(2)279-293(2019)