Triterpenoids and meroterpenoids with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma australe

Chemical composition of the endogenous fungus Fusarium sp. L-3 derived from Chinese Qinan agarwood

One undescribed compound named fusagarone A (1) and ten secondary metabolites (2-11) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Fusarium sp. L-3 derived from Chinese agarwood 'Qi-Nan'. The structure of 1 was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy as well as HRESIMS data. All compounds were measured for anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Among them, compound 11 potently suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 value of 4.78 μM. Moreover, compound 11 exhibited potent inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase with IC50 value of 42.88 μM, which was further clarified by means of the enzyme kinetic analysis and molecular docking simulations.

Incartrilactones A and B: Two schinortriterpenoids with a 14,15-seco-15,17-cyclolancifoartane skeleton from Schisandra incarnata

In this study, incartrilactones A (1) and B (2), two previously undescribed schinortriterpenoids (SNTs) possessing an unprecedented 5/5/6/5/7/5-fused hexacyclic skeleton, together with one previously undescribed (3) and one known (4) analogues, were isolated from the stems of Schisandra incarnata Stapf. Their structures with absolute configurations were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallography and electronic circular dichroism calculation. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first class of 14,15-seco-15,17-cyclolancifoartane-type SNTs containing the unusual linkage of ‒C14‒C16‒C13‒C17‒C15. The hypothetical biogenetic pathway of compounds 1 and 2 was postulated. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 133.1 and 165.3 μM, representing that they were more active than the positive control, acarbose (IC50 = 232.8 μM). Compound 4 showed moderate in vitro immunosuppressive effect against ConA-induced T cell and LPS-induced B cell proliferation, with IC50 values of 35.3 ± 0.9 μM and 24.9 ± 0.6 μM, respectively. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-4 against three human cancer cell lines was also tested, with no obvious cytotoxicity being observed.

Neuroprotective and antidiabetic lanostane-type triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma theaecolum

Eight previously undescribed lanostane triterpenoids, including five nortriterpenoids with 26 carbons, ganothenoids A-E (1-5), and three lanostanoids, ganothenoids F-H (6-8), along with 24 known ones (9-32), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganodrma theaecolum. The structures of the novel compounds were elucidated using comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) calculations. Compounds 1-32 were assessed for their neuroprotective effects against H2O2-induced damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, as well as their inhibitory activities against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and α-glucosidase. Compound 4 demonstrated the most potent neuroprotective activity against H2O2-induced oxidative stress by suppressing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and inhibiting cell apoptosis through modulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X-protein (Bax) protein expression. Compounds 26, 12, and 28 exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activities with IC50 values ranging from 13.92 to 56.94 μmol·L-1, while compound 12 alone displayed significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase with an IC50 value of 43.56 μmol·L-1. Additionally, enzyme kinetic analyses and molecular docking simulations were conducted for compounds 26 and 12 with PTP1B and α-glucosidase, respectively.

Concise total synthesis of (±)-applanatumol Y

Total synthesis of (±)-applanatumol Y was achieved in 5 steps, featuring a cascade annulation including Michael addition, aldol condensation, and oxy-Michael addition reactions, all promoted by DBU. This approach offers a streamlined and cost-effective route for constructing complex tricyclic frameworks under mild and metal-free conditions.

Natural products with potential hypoglycemic activity in T2DM: 2019-2023

As currently the most common metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has shown a continuous increase in the number of patients in recent decades. Most anti-T2DM drugs tend to cause some side effects. Given the pathogenesis of T2DM, natural products have emerged as an important source of anti-T2DM drugs. This article reviews natural products with potential hypoglycemic activity from 2019 to 2023. A total of 200 previously natural products were discovered on SciFinder, PubMed and Web of Science. These products were categorized based on their structural frameworks and their biological activities were summarized. Although the mechanisms of action of most compounds are unclear, these compounds could still serve as candidates for the development of lead compounds. Therefore, further structure and activity research of natural products will significantly contribute to the development of potential anti-T2DM drugs.

Insights into Ganoderma fungi meroterpenoids opening a new era of racemic natural products in mushrooms

Ganoderma meroterpenoids (GMs) containing 688 structures to date were discovered to have multiple remarkable biological activities. 65.6% of meroterpenoids featuring stereogenic centers from Ganoderma species are racemates. Further, GMs from different Ganoderma species seem to have their own characteristics. In this review, a comprehensive summarization of GMs since 2000 is presented, including GM structures, structure corrections, biological activities, physicochemical properties, total synthesis, and proposed biosynthetic pathways. Additionally, we especially discuss the racemic nature, species-related structural distribution, and structure-activity relationship of GMs, which will provide a likely in-house database and shed light on future studies on GMs.

Ganoderma lucidum-Derived Meroterpenoids Show Anti-Inflammatory Activity In Vitro

Ganoderma lucidum, known as the "herb of spiritual potency", is used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, but the responsible constituents for its therapeutic effects are largely unknown. For the purpose of obtaining insight into the chemical and biological profiling of meroterpenoids in G. lucidum, various chromatographic approaches were utilized for the title fungus. As a result, six undescribed meroterpenoids, chizhienes A-F (1-6), containing two pairs of enantiomers (4 and 5), were isolated. Their structures were identified using spectroscopic and computational methods. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activities of all the isolates were evaluated by Western blot analysis in LPS-induced macrophage cells (RAW264.7), showing that 1 and 3 could dose dependently inhibit iNOS but not COX-2 expression. Further, 1 and 3 were found to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production using the Greiss reagent test. The current study will aid in enriching the structural and biological diversity of Ganoderma-derived meroterpenoids.

Lanostane triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma amboinense

Lanostane-type triterpenoids are the main characteristic constituents in Ganoderma mushrooms. Phytochemical analysis on the ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma amboinense led to isolation and identification of twelve previously undescribed lanostane triterpenoids (1-12). Their chemical structures were determined by HR-ESI-MS, IR, and NMR spectroscopic analysis, NMR calculation, as well as X-ray crystallography. All isolates were evaluated for the α-glucosidase inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 1, 5, 6, and 11 showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 33.5 μM to 96.0 μM. Moreover, compound 12 showed anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 21.7 ± 2.1 μM.

In vitro cholesterol lowering activity of Ganoderma australe mycelia based on mass spectrometry, synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared analysis and liver-spheroid bioactivity

Mycelia were cultivated from a Thai wild mushroom identified as Ganoderma australe based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and morphological analyses. The mycelial extracts were examined for their active ingredients using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) method. This revealed the presence of lovastatin and tentative compounds including p-coumaric, nicotinamide, gamma-aminobutyric acid, choline, nucleosides, amino acids, and saccharides. The extracts had an inhibitory effect on the activity of HMG-CoA reductase in a concentration-dependent manner. At 2.5 mg/mL, the G. australe extracts did not interfere with the viability of HepG2 spheroids, but their biochemical composition was altered as determined by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The lipid profile of the spheroids treated with the mycelial extract was distinct from that of the control and the 5 µM lovastatin treatment, corresponding with the production of cholesterol by the spheroids. The mycelia of G. australe increased the percentage of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) production to 71.35 ± 2.74%, compared to the control and lovastatin-treated spheroids (33.26 ± 3.15% and 32.13 ± 3.24%, respectively). This study revealed the superior effect of natural compound mixtures to pure lovastatin, and the potential use of Thailand's wild G. australe as a functional food to prevent or alleviate hypercholesterolemia.

Structural diversity, hypothetical biosynthesis, chemical synthesis, and biological activity of Ganoderma meroterpenoids

Covering: 2018 to 2022Meroterpenoids found in fungal species of the genus Ganoderma and known as Ganoderma meroterpenoids (GMs) are substances composed of a 1,2,4-trisubstituted benzene and a polyunsaturated side chain. These substances have attracted the attention of chemists and pharmacologists due to their diverse structures and significant bioactivity. In this review, we present the structures and possible biosynthesis of representative GMs newly found from 2018 to 2022, as well as chemical synthesis and biological activity of some interesting GMs. We propose for the first time a plausible biosynthetic pathway for GMs, which will certainly motivate further research on the biosynthetic pathway in Ganoderma species, as well as on chemical synthesis of GMs as important bioactive compounds for the purpose of drug development.

Novel N'-substituted benzylidene benzohydrazides linked to 1,2,3-triazoles: potent α-glucosidase inhibitors

Herein, various N'-substituted benzylidene benzohydrazide-1,2,3-triazoles were designed, synthesized, and screened for their inhibitory activity toward α-glucosidase. The structure of derivatives was confirmed using ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, FTIR, Mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. All derivatives exhibited good inhibition with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.01 to 648.90 µM, compared with acarbose as the positive control (IC₅₀ = 752.10 µM). Among them, compounds 7a and 7h showed significant potency with IC₅₀ values of 0.02 and 0.01 µM, respectively. The kinetic study revealed that they are noncompetitive inhibitors toward α-glucosidase. Also, fluorescence quenching was used to investigate the interaction of three inhibitors 7a, 7d, and 7h, with α-glucosidase. Accordingly, the binding constants, the number of binding sites, and values of thermodynamic parameters were determined for the interaction of candidate compounds toward the enzyme. Finally, the in silico cavity detection plus molecular docking was performed to find the allosteric site and key interactions between synthesized compounds and the target enzyme.

Exploring the Potential Medicinal Benefits of Ganoderma lucidum: From Metabolic Disorders to Coronavirus Infections

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for centuries. It has been found to have a wide range of medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects. Recent research has focused on the potential benefits of G. lucidum in treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, as well as its possible role in preventing and treating infections caused by the coronavirus. Triterpenoids are a major group of bioactive compounds found in G. lucidum, and they have a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds have been found to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels in animal models of diabetes. Additionally, G. lucidum polysaccharides have been found to reduce bodyweight and improve glucose metabolism in animal models of obesity. These polysaccharides can also help to increase the activity of certain white blood cells, which play a critical role in the body's immune response. For coronavirus, some in vitro studies have shown that G. lucidum polysaccharides and triterpenoids have the potential to inhibit coronavirus infection; however, these results have not been validated through clinical trials. Therefore, it would be premature to draw any definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of G. lucidum in preventing or treating coronavirus infections in humans.

Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Elicitation on Triterpene Production and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of Mycelial Culture Extracts of Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat

Abiotic elicitation, a well-known strategy in mushroom biotechnology, promotes increased accumulation of secondary metabolites in mycelial cultures. The study aimed the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the production of triterpenes in submerged cultures of Ganoderma applanatum. Further, the study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of the extract corresponding to the optimal elicitation variant in selected human cancer cell lines as well as the selectivity against normal cells. MeJA was added on days 1, 4, 6, and 8 in the 10-day growth cycle at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 150, and 200 µM MeJA. The HPLC-DAD was used to analyze the triterpenes. The cytotoxic activity was tested using the MTTFc assay in grouped panels of skin, prostate, and gastrointestinal cancer cells. The results of the quantitative analyses confirmed the stimulating effect of MeJA on the production of ganoderic acid A and ganoderic acid C. The greatest increase in total triterpenes was found on day 6 of the culture cycle compared to the control group-with the concentration of MeJA-150 µM. Compared to the control samples, mycelial culture extract after the most productive elicitation variant showed significant cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells and moderate effects on melanoma cells. Ganoderma applanatum mycelial cultures can be proposed as a model to study the dynamics of the accumulation of compounds with therapeutic values through abiotic elicitation.

Lanostane Triterpenoids and Ergostane Steroids from Ganoderma luteomarginatum and Their Cytotoxicity

Macrofungus Ganoderma luteomarginatum is one of the main species of Ganoderma fungi distributed in Hainan province of China, the fruiting bodies of which have been widely used in folk as a healthy food to prevent tumors. To explore the potential cytotoxic constituents from G. luteomarginatum, the phytochemical investigation on the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of 95% ethanolic extract from the fruiting bodies of this fungus led to the isolation of twenty-six lanostane triterpenoids (1–26), including three undescribed ones (1–3), together with eight ergostane steroids (27–34). The structures of three new lanostane triterpenoids were elucidated as lanosta-7,9(11)-dien-3β-acetyloxy-24,25-diol (1), lanosta-7,9(11)-dien-3-oxo-24,26-diol-25-methoxy (2), and lanosta-8,20(22)-dien-3,11,23-trioxo-7β,15β-diol-26-oic acid methyl ester (3) by the analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectroscopic data. All isolates were assayed for their cytotoxic activities using three human cancer cell lines (K562, BEL-7402, and SGC-7901) and seven lanostane triterpenoids (1, 2, 7, 13, 18, 22, and 24), and one ergostane steroid (34) showed definite cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values that ranged from 6.64 to 47.63 μg/mL. Among these cytotoxic lanostane triterpenoids, compounds 2 and 13 showed general cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines, while compounds 1 and 18 exhibited significant selective cytotoxicity against K562 cells with IC₅₀ values of 8.59 and 8.82 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the preliminary structure–cytotoxicity relationships was proposed.

Ganoderma spp. polysaccharides are potential prebiotics: a review

The gut microbiota (GM) is a complex ecosystem that is closely linked to host health. Ganoderma spp. polysaccharides (GPs), a major bioactive component of the fungal genus Ganoderma, can modulate the GM, exhibiting various health effects and prebiotic potential. This review comprehensively concluded the structural features and extraction method of GPs. The mechanism of GPs for anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer were further evaluated. The simulated gastrointestinal digestion of GPs and the utilization mechanism of host microorganisms were discussed. It was found that the physicochemical properties and biological activities of GPs depend on their structural characteristics (molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic bonds, etc.). Their extraction method also affects the structure and bioactivities of polysaccharides. GPs supplementation could increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g. Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium), while reducing that of pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Aerococcus, Ruminococcus), thus promoting health. Moreover, GPs are resistant to digestion in the stomach and small intestine but are digested in the large intestine. Therefore, GPs can be considered as potential prebiotics. However, further studies should investigate how GPs as prebiotics regulate GM and improve host health.

Tetra-, penta-, and hexa-nor-lanostane triterpenes from the medicinal fungus Ganoderma australe

Chemical investigation on the medicinal fungus Ganoderma australe led to the identification of ten new nor-lanostane triterpenes, namely two hexa-nor ones, ganoaustratetraenones A (1) and B (2), five penta-nor ones, ganoaustraldehydes A-E (3-7), and three tetra-nor ones ganoaustrenoic acids A-C (8-10). The chemical structures along with the absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis of 1D & 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The postulated biosynthesis pathways of these compounds were proposed. Ganoaustraldehydes A (3) and B (4) showed moderate inhibition against nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells with the respective IC₅₀ values of 32.5, 34.2 µM (the IC₅₀ of positive control pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was 20.0 µM).

Antidiabetic lanostane triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma weberianum

Eight previously undescribed lanostane triterpenoids, ganodeweberiols A ∼ H (1-8), together with eighteen known compounds (9-26), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma weberianum. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, as well as NMR chemical shifts and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compounds 2, 7, 12, and 14 showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 35.3 μM ∼ 223.4 μM compared to the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀, 304.6 μM). Kinetic study indicated that the most potent compound 12 was a mixed type inhibitor for α-glucosidase. Molecular docking simulation revealed the interactions of 12 with α-glucosidase. Additionally, Compounds 3 and 6 inhibited glucagon-induced hepatic glucose production in HepG2 cells with EC₅₀ values of 42.0 and 85.9 μM, respectively. Further study revealed that compounds 3 and 6 inhibited hepatic glucose production by suppression glucagon-induced cAMP accumulation. Moreover, compounds 3 and 26 were active against HeLa cell line with IC₅₀ values of 17.0 and 6.8 μM, respectively.

[20(22)E]-Lanostane Triterpenes from the Fungus Ganoderma australe

Twelve new lanostane triterpenoids (1-5, 7-13) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the fungus Ganoderma australe. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectroscopic analysis. All the triterpenes are featured by 20(22)E configurations which are uncommon in the Ganoderma triterpene family. The absolute configuration of the C-25 of compounds 1, 2, and 6 were determined by the phenylglycine methyl ester (PGME) method. A postulated biosynthetic pathway for compound 1 was discussed. This study opens new insights into the secondary metabolites of the chemically underinvestigated fungus G. australe.

Two lanostane triterpenoids with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma weberianum

A new oxygenated lanostane-type triterpenoid, 20S,24S-epoxy-lanosta-7,9(11)-dien-3β,15α,25R,26-tetraol (1), together with three known compounds (2-4) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma weberianum. Extensive NMR spectrometry and HRESIMS analysis, as well as NMR and ECD calculations elucidated the structure of the new compound. 27-nor-3β-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),23E-trien-25-one (2) showed superior α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 122.1 μM to that of positive control acarbose (304.6 μM).