Total syntheses and endoplasmic reticulum stress suppressive activities of hericenes A−C and their derivatives

The syntheses and neuroprotective activities of hericenes and their derivatives against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent cell death are reported. Four natural products, including hericenes A−C and hericenol A, and five synthetic derivatives were synthesized and their protective activities were evaluated. In designing the synthetic derivatives, we focused on the binding position of the fatty chain. Hericenes B and C showed moderate protective activity against thapsigargin-induced ER stress-dependent cell death. In contrast, their regioisomers (with respect to the position of the fatty chain) exhibited higher protective activity against tunicamycin-induced ER stress. This study clearly shows that the number and the binding position of the fatty chain are critical for protective activity against ER stress-dependent cell death.