Cyclopenin

Cyclopenin is one of an unusual family of benzodiazepine metabolites produced by a number of Penicllium species. Often mistakenly referred to as a mycotoxin, cyclopenin shows little toxicity against mammalian cells, bacteria or fungi in vitro. Cyclopenin is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the viridicatins, strong inhibitors of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-induced replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).