Brevianamides are indole alkaloids that belong to a class of naturally occurring 2,5-diketopiperazines[1] produced as secondary metabolites of fungi in the genus Penicillium and Aspergillus.

[2] Structurally similar to paraherquamides, they are a small class compounds that contain a bicyclo[2.2.2]diazoctane ring system.

[6] The total synthesis of several brevianamides have been reported, for brevianamide-B [7] and for brevianamide-E.[8][9][10] Tests for antibiotic effectiveness against E. coli, A. fecalis, B. subtilis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa were negative.

Also, no inhibitory action was shown against A. niger, A. flavis, P. crustosum, F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, Alternara sp., and Cladosporium sp.

[4] Furthermore, ELISA assays showed elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-A), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and interleukin 6 (IL-6).