Bioaspermeroterpenes A−D: four new meroterpenoids from the biotransformation extract by the fungus Penicillium herquei GZU‐31‐6

Bioaspermeroterpenes A−D, four new DMOA meroterpenoids were co‐isolated from the biotransformation extract of aspermeroterpene F by the fungus Penicillium herquei GZU‐31‐6. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic methods. In the bioassays, all the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on TGF‐β1‐induced activation of hepatic stellate cells. Further studies found that compounds 3 and 4 significantly inhibited the proliferative properties and the expression level of extracellular matrix protein (fibronectin and collagen I) at the concentration of 20 μM.