Methyl jasmonate induces ganoderic acid biosynthesis in the basidiomycetous fungus Ganoderma lucidum

This is the first time study to assess the novel use of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to elicit ganoderic acid (GA) biosynthesis in Ganoderma lucidum and the resulting experiments demonstrated that MeJA was indeed a potent inducer of GA biosynthesis. To maximize GA synthesis, a statistical methodology called uniform design (UD) was used to optimize inducement conditions, which were determined to be 254 microM MeJA solubilized in Tween-20 that was added to the culture on day 6. The resulting GA yield was 4.52 mg/100mg dry weight (DW), which was 45.3% higher than the untreated control sample. To characterize the effect of MeJA on GA biosynthesis, quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure transcription levels of several genes in the synthesis pathway including hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A synthase (hmgs), hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase (hmgr), mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase (mvd), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (fps), squalene synthase (sqs) and oxidosqualene cyclase (osc). Quantification of transcription levels determined that MeJA significantly induced expression of these genes.

A new ganoderic acid from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia

A new ganoderic acid (GA), 7-O-ethyl ganoderic acid O (GA-O) (1), together with two known compounds, GA-T (2) and GA-Me (3), was isolated and purified from fermented mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum. The structure of the new triterpenoid was elucidated on the basis of the interpretation of extensive spectroscopic data (HR-MS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR) as 3 alpha,15 alpha,22-triacetoxy-7 alpha-ethoxy-5 alpha-lanost-8,24E-dien-26-oic acid. The new compound was found to contain a rare ethoxyl group at C-7. In addition, its cytotoxicity against 95D and HeLa human cancer cell lines was also evaluated.

Antiplasmodial lanostanes from the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom

In a screen of 880 extracts from plants and fungi for antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, and leishmanicidal activity, an ethyl acetate extract of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum showed antiplasmodial activity with 79% inhibition at 4.9 microg/mL. HPLC-based activity profiling and subsequent isolation of the antiplasmodial compounds yielded seven lanostanes (1-7), of which three (2, 3, and 7) were new. A new benzofuran derivative (8) of the farnesyl hydroquinone ganomycin B was also identified. The structures and relative configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. The lanostanes exhibited in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC(50) values from 6 to greater than 20 microM.

[RP-HPLC simultaneous determination of five triterpenoid acids in different parts of Poria cocos by UV wavelengths switch]

To establish a method for simultaneous determination of dehydrotumulosic acid, polyporenic acid C, 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydropachymic acid and pachymic acid in Poria, a RP-HPLC method detected by UV wavelengths switch had been developed, including 210 nm (48-55 min) for pachymic acid and 241 nm (0-48 min) for dehydrotumulosic acid, polyporenic acid C, 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydropachymic acid, separately. The system consisting of a Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) and a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.05% phosphate acid as the mobile phase was adopted; The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The linear response range was 30.5-610.0 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 6) for dehydrotumulosic acid, 12.66-253.2 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 5) for polyporenic acid C, 2.99-59.7 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 7) for 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid, 6.13-122.5 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.999 5) for dehydropachymic acid and 11.3-226.0 microg x mL(-1) (r = 0.9995) for pachymic acid. The average recoveries of these compounds were 98.5% (RSD = 1.9%), 99.4% (RSD = 1.7%), 97.9% (RSD = 1.2%), 96.7% (RSD = 2.5%) and 97.9% (RSD = 2.3%), respectively. The method is simple, accurate and reproducible for quality control of Poria.

Lanostane triterpenes from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells

Four new lanostane triterpenes, butyl ganoderate A (1), butyl ganoderate B (2), butyl lucidenate N (3), and butyl lucidenate A (4), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum together with 14 known compounds (5-18). The structures of the new triterpenes were established by extensive spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence. In addition, the inhibitory effect of isolated compounds on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells was examined.

Ganoderic acids from Ganoderma lucidum: inhibitory activity of osteoclastic differentiation and structural criteria

Increased osteoclastic bone resorption plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many bone diseases. Ganoderma lucidum is known for medicinal effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-bone resorption activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ganoderic acids isolated from G. lucidum on osteoclastic differentiation using RAW264 cells in vitro. A carbonyl in C7 is essential to elicit the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.

Topical anti-inflammatory effect of tirucallol, a triterpene isolated from Euphorbia lactea latex

Latex from Euphorbia lactea (Euphorbiaceae), a native Dominican medicinal plant, is claimed to be useful in the treatment of inflammation. Topical application of tirucallol, a tetracyclic triterpene isolated from Euphorbia lacteal latex, suppressed ear edema in the mouse model in a dose-dependent manner, as well as affecting the influx of polymorphonuclear cells in response to topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (TPA) in the mouse ear. In addition, the effect of tirucallol, on some macrophage functions was analyzed in vitro. Non-toxic concentrations of tirucallol potently inhibited nitrite production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. Western blot analysis showed that nitric oxide reduction was a consequence of the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthetase expression although tirucallol slightly affected to prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) generation. The results of the study revealed that tirucallol (0.3%), present in Euphorbia lactea latex, exerts a topical anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, via a mechanism of action related to the neutrophil migration. On the other hand, it can be deduced that the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of this triterpene is related to the control of the production of NO and its effect on the expression of iNOS.

Antibacterial compounds from mushrooms I: a lanostane-type triterpene and prenylphenol derivatives from Jahnoporus hirtus and Albatrellus flettii and their activities against Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis

Antibacterial bioassay-guided fractionation of two American mushroom species, Jahnoporus hirtus and Albatrellus flettii, led to the isolation and identification of their major antibacterial constituents: 3,11-dioxolanosta-8,24( Z)-diene-26-oic acid (1) from J. hirtus and confluentin (2), grifolin (3), and neogrifolin (4) from A. flettii. Compound 1 is a new lanostane-type triterpene. All purified compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis using standard MIC assays. Compounds 1- 4 demonstrated MIC values of 40, 20, 10, and 20 microg/mL, respectively, against B. cereus and MIC values of 32, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 microg/mL, respectively, against E. faecalis. Thus, one novel compound and three others were shown to possess antimicrobial activities against these gram-positive bacteria employed as surrogates for more virulent and dangerous pathogens.

Anti-tumor-promoting effects of 25-methoxyporicoic acid A and other triterpene acids from Poria cocos

Nine new (1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18) and nine known (2, 4, 6, 7, 9-11, 14, and 16) lanostane-type triterpene acids and a known diterpene acid (19) were isolated from the epidermis of the sclerotia of Poria cocos. The structures of the new compounds were established as 16alpha,27-dihydroxydehyrotrametenoic acid (1), 25-hydroxy-3-epitumulosic acid (3), 16alpha,25-dihydroxyeburiconic acid (5), 25-methoxyporicoic acid A (8), 26-hydroxyporicoic acid DM (12), 25-hydroxyporicoic acid C (13), poricoic acid GM (15), poricoic acid HM (17), and 6,7-dehydroporicoic acid H (18), on the basis of spectroscopic methods. On evaluation of the nine new and two of the known compounds, 4 and 19, against the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells, all of the compounds exhibited inhibitory effects, with IC(50) values in the range 187-348 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA. In addition, compound 8 exhibited an inhibitory effect on skin tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis test using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and TPA as a promoter. Further, 17 compounds, 1-14, 16, 18, and 19, were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against two human tumor cell lines, HL60 (leukemia) and CRL1579 (melanoma).

A new triterpene from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum

A new lanostanoid triterpene, named ganoderitriol M (1), together with a known triterpene ganoderic acid epsilon (2), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of G lucidum. Compound 1 was deduced as (24S)-lanosta-7-oxo-8-en-3beta, 24, 25-triol on the basis of spectral analysis (UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR).

Antiplasmodial and other constituents from four Indonesian Garcinia spp

Phytochemical investigations of four Garcinia spp. from Indonesia, i.e. Garcinia griffithii T. Anderson, Garcinia celebica L., Garcinia cornea L. and Garcinia cymosa K. Schum (Clusiaceae), have resulted in the isolation of a xanthone, 1,5-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-2,7-diprenylxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, isoxanthochymol, beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside and stigmasterol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside from the stem bark of G. griffithii; friedelin and 3beta-hydroxy-23-oxo-9,16-lanostadien-26-oic acid or garcihombronane D from leaves of G. celebica; 23-hydroxy-3-oxo-cycloart-24-en-26-oic acid and epicatechin from stem bark of G. cornea; (+/-)-morelloflavone, morelloflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucoside or fukugiside, the triterpene 3beta-hydroxy-5-glutinen-28-oic acid and canophyllol from stem bark of G. cymosa. The xanthone and garcihombronane D displayed a selective activity against Plasmodium falciparum; isoxanthochymol and the triterpene beta-hydroxy-5-glutinen-28-oic acid a broad but non-selective antiprotozoal activity.

Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

Investigations on Ganoderma lucidum fermentation suggested that the responses of the cell growth and metabolites biosynthesis to pH and dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) were different. The ganoderic acid (GA) production of 321.6 mg/L was obtained in the pH-shift culture by combining a 4-day culture at pH 3.0 with the following 6-day culture at pH 4.5, which was higher by 45% and 300% compared with the culture at pH 3.0 and 4.5, respectively. The GA production of 487.1mg/L was achieved in the DOT-shift culture by combining a 6-day culture at 25% of DOT with a following 6-day culture at 10% of DOT, which was higher by 43% and 230% compared with the culture at 25% and 10% of DOT, respectively. A fed-batch fermentation process by combining the above-mentioned pH-shift and DOT-shift strategies resulted in a significant synergistic enhancement of GA accumulation up to 754.6 mg/L, which is the highest reported in the submerged fermentation of G. lucidum in stirred-tank bioreactor.

Lanostane-type triterpenes from the mushroom Astraeus pteridis with antituberculosis activity

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an EtOH extract of the truffle-mimiking mushroom Astraeus pteridis led to the isolation and identification of three new (3-5) and two known (1, 2) lanostane triterpenes and phenylalanine betaine (6). The structures of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS results, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 5 and 1 showed moderate activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values of 34.0 and 58.0 microg/mL, respectively.

Inotodiol, a lanostane triterpenoid, from Inonotus obliquus inhibits cell proliferation through caspase-3-dependent apoptosis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the antitumor effect of Inonotus obliquus Pilat, the antiproliferative effect of lanostane triterpenoids from a chloroform extract of I. obliquus sclerotia against mouse leukemia P388 cells was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Caspase-3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation were evaluated to analyze apoptosis induction. The in vivo antitumor effect was evaluated by the number of survival days of mouse leukemia P388-bearing female CDF1 mice.

RESULTS

The chloroform extract of I. obliquus sclerotia inhibited proliferation of the P388 cells. Among the triterpenoids examined, only inotodiol inhibited P388 cell proliferation. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3/7 activation were observed in the P388 cells treated with inotodiol (30 microM). A caspase-3 inhibitor, DEVD-CHO (N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-al, 100 microM) partially inhibited the DNA fragmentation and growth-inhibition induced by inotodiol. The intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg inotodiol prolonged the number of survival days of the P388-bearing mice.

CONCLUSION

Inotodiol inhibits cell proliferation through apoptosis induction by activating caspase-3.

Lanostane-type triterpenoids from the roots of Kadsura coccinea

Seven new lanostane-type triterpenoids, seco-coccinic acids A-F (1- 6) and coccinilactone A (7), were isolated from the roots of Kadsura coccinea. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. The absolute configuration at C-24 of compound 5 was confirmed by the modified Mosher's method. The cell growth inhibitory effects of these compounds were determined in human leukemia HL-60 cells, and it was found that compounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 exhibited antiproliferative effects with GI 50 values ranging from 6.8 to 42.1 microM.

Anti-HIV-1 protease activity of lanostane triterpenes from the vietnamese mushroom Ganoderma colossum

Four new lanostane triterpenes, colossolactone V (1), colossolactone VI (2), colossolactone VII (3), and colossolactone VIII (4), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the Vietnamese mushroom Ganoderma colossum, together with the known compound colossolactone E (5). The structures of 1- 4 were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, and their absolute configurations were determined by CD spectroscopy and the Mosher ester method. Compounds 1- 5, as well as two previously isolated compounds [schisanlactone A (6) and colossolactone G (7)] from the same mushroom, were evaluated for inhibition of HIV-1 protease, with IC 50 values for the most potent compounds ranging from 5 to 13 microg/mL.

Ganoderic acids suppress growth and invasive behavior of breast cancer cells by modulating AP-1 and NF-kappaB signaling

Structurally related lanostane-type triterpenes, ganoderic acid A, F and H (GA-A, GA-F, GA-H), were identified in an oriental medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. In the present study we evaluated the effect of GA-A, GA-H and GA-F on highly invasive human breast cancer cells. We showed that GA-A and GA-H suppressed growth (cell proliferation and colony formation) and invasive behavior (adhesion, migration and invasion) of MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results suggest that GA-A and GA-H mediate their biological effects through the inhibition of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB, resulting in the down-regulation of expression of Cdk4 and the suppression of secretion of uPA, respectively. Furthermore, the activity of ganoderic acids is linked to the hydroxylation in the position 7 and 15 (GA-A) and 3 (GA-H) in their triterpene lanostane structure. In conclusion, hydroxylated triterpenes from G. lucidum could be promising natural agents for the therapy of invasive breast cancers.

Kadsuracoccinic acids A-C, ring-A seco-lanostane triterpenes from Kadsura coccinea and their effects on embryonic cell division of Xenopus laevis

Three new 3,4- seco-lanostanes, kadsuracoccinic acids A-C ( 1- 3), were isolated from the medicinal plant Kadsura coccinea, in addition to the known compounds kadsuric acid ( 4) and micranoic acid A ( 5). The structures of 1- 3 were elucidated by analysis of their 2D-NMR spectroscopic data. Furthermore, the relative conformation of 1 was confirmed by an X-ray crystallographic study. This is the first report of a 3,4- seco-lanostane-type triterpene with a 17(20)-ene functional group. Treatment of cultured individual Xenopus laevis cells with 1 at the blastular stage arrested cleavage of these cells with an IC 50 of 0.32 microg/mL.

[Chemical constituents of the spores of Ganoderma lucidum]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of the sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum.

METHODS

Chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The structures were identified by means of physicochemical and spectral data.

RESULTS

From the ethyl acetate extract of the material, eight compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified as ganoderic acid A (I), methyl ganoderate A (II), methyl ganoderate B (III), ganoderic acid C2 (IV), ganoderic acid G(V), ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-triol (VI), ergosterol peroxide (VII) and ergosta-7,22-diene-3beta-yl pentadecanoate (VIII), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Compounds II, III, VII and VIII are isolated from the spores of G. lucidum for the first time.

[Study on chemical constituents from rhizomes of Actaea asiatica]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Actaea asiatica in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of its effective components.

METHOD

Compounds were separated by silica gel chromatography, RP-C18 chromatography and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were established by spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULT

Six compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract. Their structures were identified as 25-O-acetylcimigenol (1), 12beta-hydroxycimigenol (2), 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (3), 27-deoxyacetylacteol (4), 26-deoxycimicifugenin (5) and beta-sitosterol (6).

CONCLUSION

All these compounds mentioned above were isolated from the plant for the first time.

Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignments of three new lanostanoid triterpenes with unprecedented Delta(16, 17) double bond from Ganoderma lucidum

Three new lanostanoid triterpenes named 3beta,7beta-di- hydroxy-11,15,23-trioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (1), 3beta,7beta-dihydroxy-11,15,23-trioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid methyl ester (2), and 12beta-acetoxy-3beta,7beta-dihydroxy-11,15,23-trioxo-lanost-8,16-dien-26-oic acid (3) were isolated from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. They all show a Delta(16, 17) double bond unprecedented in such types of lanostanoid triterpenes possessing the side chain at C-17. The complete NMR assignments for these compounds were carried out using (1)H, (13)C, DEPT, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY NMR experiments.

Hypoxia Stimulates Degradation of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A Reductase through Accumulation of Lanosterol and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-mediated Induction of Insigs

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase represents one mechanism by which cholesterol synthesis is controlled in mammalian cells. The key reaction in this degradation is binding of reductase to Insig proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, which is stimulated by the cholesterol precursor lanosterol. Conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol requires removal of three methyl groups, which consumes nine molecules of dioxygen. Here, we report that oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) slows demethylation of lanosterol and its metabolite 24,25-dihydrolanosterol, causing both sterols to accumulate in cells. In addition, hypoxia increases the amount of Insig-1 and Insig-2 in a response mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha. Accumulation of lanosterol together with increased Insigs accelerates degradation of reductase, which ultimately slows a rate-determining step in cholesterol synthesis. These results define a novel oxygen-sensing mechanism mediated by the combined actions of methylated intermediates in cholesterol synthesis and the hypoxia-activated transcription factor HIF-1alpha.

Sterol composition in field-grown and cultured mycelia of Inonotus obliquus

Sterols are one of the active classes of compounds in Inonotus obliquus for their effective therapy of many diseases. In field environment, this fungus accumulates large amount of sterols. In cultured mycelia, however, this class of compounds is less accumulated. For analyzing the factors responsible for differing sterol composition, the field-grown and cultured mycelia were extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature and total sterols were prepared using silicon gel column chromatography followed by identification using either GC-MS or spectroscopic methods. For culturing Inonotus obliquus, the seed culture was grown either in basic medium consisting of glucose (2%), yeast extract (0.5%), KH2PO4 (0.01%), MgSO4.7H20 (0.05%) and distilled water at pH 6.5, or the basic medium supplemented with serial concentrations of AgNO3. The results indicated that field-grown mycelia contained lanosterol and inotodiol (comprised 45. 47% and 25. 36% of the total sterols, respectively) and other 10 sterols (comprising the remaining 30.17%) including ergosterol biosynthetic intermediates such as 24-methylene dihydrolanosterol, 4,4-dimethylfecosterol, 4-methyl fecosterol, fecosterol and episterol. Column chromatography also led to the isolation of lanosterol, Inotodiol, trametenolic acid, foscoparianol B and a new triterpenoid foscoparianol D in field-grown mycelia. In comparison, the cultured mycelia only contained three sterols with ergosterol as the predominant one (82.20%). Lanosterol only accounted for 3.68%. Supplementing Ag+ into the culture at 0.28 micromol x L(-1) greatly enhanced content of lanosterol (accounting for 56.81%) and decreased the content of ergosterol (18.5%) together with the presence of intermediates for ergosterol biosynthesis. These results suggested that the sterol composition in mycelia of the fungus can be diversified by supplementing substances inhibiting enzymatic process towards the synthesis of ergosterol. Harsh growth conditions in field environment (i.e. temperature variation, UV irradiation etc.) can delay the synthesis of ergosterol and hereby diversify the sterol composition in the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus.

Enhancement of IL-2 and IFN-γ expression and NK cells activity involved in the anti-tumor effect of ganoderic acid Me in vivo

Ganoderic acid Me (GA-Me) is a lanostane triterpenoid purified from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia, one of the most widely used herbs for cancer treatment and prevention in east Asia. In the present study, it was demonstrated that GA-Me could inhibit both tumor growth and lung metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice. Compared with the control group, Natural Killer (NK) cells activity was significantly enhanced by intraperitoneal administration of GA-Me (28 mg/kg). Results of ELISA assay and RT-PCR showed that the expressions of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were also increased (p<0.05). Additionally, the expression of Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was up-regulated after the treatment of GA-Me, which might be involved in the production of IL-2. In conclusion, the findings of this study implied that GA-Me could effectively inhibit tumor growth and lung metastasis through increasing immune function.