Background:

WF-3681 is a butenolide fungal metabolite that has been found inAcremonium.¹It inhibits aldose reductase (IC₅₀= 0.25 µM for the rabbit lens enzyme).²

1.Ghisalberti, E.L., Hargreaves, J.R., and McConville, E.Butenolides from a cultured microfungus, Acremonium spNat. Prod. Res.18(2)105-109(2004) 2.Nishikawa, M., Yoshida, K., Okamoto, M., et al.Studies on WE-3681, a novel aldose reductase inhibitor. III. Effects of WF-3681 and its derivatives on sorbitol accumulation in diabetic ratsJ. Antibiot. (Tokyo)43(9)1186-1188(1990)