Funalenone, a novel collagenase inhibitor produced by Aspergillus niger

Funalenone, a phenalene compound that inhibits type I collagenase (MMP-1), was isolated from mycelium of Aspergillus niger FO-5904 by solvent extactio n, ODS column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and reve rsed phase HPLC. Funalenone inhibited 50% of type I collagenase activity at a concentration of 170 mu M, but inhibited 18.3% and 38.7% against 72 kDa and 92 kDa type IV collagenase, respectively, at a concentration of 400 mu m.