LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, we described the discovery of two Nocardiopsis strains HDN154-146 and HDN154-168 from Takla Makan desert soil samples using seawater based medium. Chemical investigation of these two strains led to the discovery of eight new α-pyrone derivatives named nocahypyrones A-H (1–8), together with one known analogue germicidin G (9). The structures of these compounds, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by extensive NMR, MS, and CD analyses. Compounds 1–9 were tested for their cyto-protective activities and for the first time we found α-pyrones 5 and 8 exhibited capabilities to induce expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes.