text: Brevianamides are indole alkaloids that belong to a class of naturally occurring 2,5-diketopiperazines produced as secondary metabolites of fungi in the genus Penicillium and Aspergillus.  Structurally similar to paraherquamides, they are a small class compounds that contain a bicyclo[2.2.2]diazoctane ring system.  One of the major secondary metabolites in Penicillium spores, they are responsible for inflammatory response in lung cells.