Angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitory triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum

Triterpenes from antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum and their hepatoprotective activities

Seven previously undescribed triterpenes (1-7), as well as one triterpene (8) previously described as a synthetic product, were isolated from the antler-shaped fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum. Their structures were established based on comprehensive spectroscopy analysis. At a concentration of 10 μM, (24E)-3-oxo-15α-acetoxy-lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-26-al (3) and (24R,25S)-3-oxo-lanosta-7,9(11)-dien-25-ethoxyl-24,26-diol (5) provided significant protection against acetaminophen-induced necrosis in human HepG2 liver cancer cells, and the cell survival rates were 69.7 and 76.1% respectively, similar to that of the positive control (glutathione, 72.1%). Based on the present results, these compounds could be potential hepatoprotective agents.

Rapid Discovery of Aβ42 Fibril Disintegrators from Ganoderma lucidum via Ligand Fishing and Their Neuroprotective Effects on Alzheimer's Disease

An amyloid-β (Aβ) fibril is a vital pathogenic factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ fibril disintegrators possess great potential to be developed into novel anti-AD agents. Here, a ligand fishing method was employed to rapidly discover Aβ42 fibril disintegrators from Ganoderma lucidum using Aβ42 fibril-immobilized magnetic beads, which led to the isolation of six Aβ42 fibril disintegrators including ganodermanontriol, ganoderic acid DM, ganoderiol F, ganoderol B, ganodermenonol, and ergosterol. Neuroprotective evaluation in vitro exhibited that these Aβ42 fibril disintegrators could significantly mitigate Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity. Among these six disintegrators, ergosterol and ganoderic acid DM with stronger protecting activity were further selected to evaluate their neuroprotective effect on AD in vivo. Results showed that ergosterol and ganoderic acid DM could significantly alleviate Aβ42-induced cognitive dysfunction and hippocampus neuron loss in vivo. Moreover, ergosterol and ganoderic acid DM could significantly inhibit Aβ42-induced neuron apoptosis and Nrf2-mediated neuron oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.

A Comprehensive Review on the Chemical Composition, Pharmacology and Clinical Applications of Ganoderma

Ganoderma is the dried fruiting bodiy of Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss.ex Fr.) Karst. or Ganoderma sinense Zhao, Xu et Zhang, belonging to the family Polyporaceae, which grows mainly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma has been used in China for more than 2000 years because of its medicinal properties, such as relieving cough and asthma, providing nourishment, and strengthening. Currently, more than 470 natural compounds have been obtained from the fungus, mainly including terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, and other types of compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Ganoderma has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and immunomodulatory effects. It is mainly used in clinical practice for the treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy and malignant tumors, with few side effects and high safety. This paper reviews the progress of research on its chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications, with the goal of providing a basis for the better development and utilization of Ganoderma.

Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract promotes weight loss and improves depressive-like behaviors in male and female Swiss mice

Metabolic and mood-related disturbances can increase the risks of developing adverse mental health problems. The medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, is utilized in indigenous medicine to improve quality of life, promote health, and boost vitality. This study investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract (EEGL) on feeding behavioral parameters, depressive-like symptoms, and motor activity in Swiss mice. We hypothesized that EEGL would have beneficial effect on metabolic and behavioral outcomes in a dose-related manner. The mushroom was identified and authenticated via techniques of molecular biology. Forty Swiss mice (n = 10/group) of either sex were given distilled water (10 mL/kg) and graded doses of EEGL (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) orally for 30 days, during which feed and water intake, body weight, neurobehavioral, and safety data were documented. The animals experienced a significant decrease in body weight gain and feed intake while water intake increased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EEGL significantly diminished immobility time in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). At the 100 and 200 mg/kg, EEGL did not cause significant alteration in motor activity in the open field test (OFT). Meanwhile, an increase in motor activity in male mice without remarkable difference in female mice was observed at the highest dose (400 mg/kg). Eighty percent of mice treated with 400 mg/kg survived till day 30. These findings suggest that EEGL at 100 and 200 mg/kg reduces the amount of weight gained and elicits antidepressant-like effects. Thus, EEGL might be useful for the management of obesity and depressive-like symptoms.

A Review of Ganoderma Triterpenoids and Their Bioactivities

For centuries, Ganoderma has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries to prevent and treat various diseases. Numerous publications are stating that Ganoderma species have a variety of beneficial medicinal properties, and investigations on different metabolic regulations of Ganoderma species, extracts or isolated compounds have been performed both in vitro and in vivo. However, it has frequently been questioned whether Ganoderma is simply a dietary supplement for health or just a useful "medication" for restorative purposes. More than 600 chemical compounds including alkaloids, meroterpenoids, nucleobases, nucleosides, polysaccharides, proteins, steroids and triterpenes were extracted and identified from Ganoderma, with triterpenes serving as the primary components. In recent years, Ganoderma triterpenes and other small molecular constituents have aroused the interest of chemists and pharmacologists. Meanwhile, considering the significance of the triterpene constituents in the development of new drugs, this review describes 495 compounds from 25 Ganoderma species published between 1984 and 2022, commenting on their source, biosynthetic pathway, identification, biological activities and biosynthesis, together with applications of advanced analytical techniques to the characterization of Ganoderma triterpenoids.

Biosynthesis of mushroom-derived type II ganoderic acids by engineered yeast

Type II ganoderic acids (GAs) produced by the traditional medicinal mushroom Ganoderma are a group of triterpenoids with superior biological activities. However, challenges in the genetic manipulation of the native producer, low level of accumulation in the farmed mushroom, the vulnerabilities of the farming-based supply chain, and the elusive biosynthetic pathway have hindered the efficient production of type II GAs. Here, we assemble the genome of type II GAs accumulating G. lucidum accession, screen cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) identified from G. lucidum in baker's yeast, identify key missing CYPs involved in type II GAs biosynthesis, and investigate the catalytic reaction sequence of a promiscuous CYP. Then, we engineer baker's yeast for bioproduciton of GA-Y (3) and GA-Jb (4) and achieve their production at higher level than those from the farmed mushroom. Our findings facilitate the further deconvolution of the complex GA biosynthetic network and the development of microbial cell factories for producing GAs at commercial scale.

Promoting rational herb-drug use through pharmacy-led advice and home visits in NCD patients

Introduction

There has been a considerable increase in the concurrent use of prescribed medicines and herbal products, but most users do not have any information about drug-herb interactions.

Objective

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of pharmacological advice by community pharmacists on promoting the rational use of prescribed medicines together with herbal products.

Methods

The study was one group pretest-posttest experimental design, performed on a sample of 32 people who met the following criteria: aged ≥18 years, lived in an urbanized area, have NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular disease, and have used prescribed medicines and herbal products concurrently. The participants were informed and practically advised on the rational use of herbal products simultaneously with prescribed medicines, the possibility of drug-herb interactions, and self-monitoring of possible adverse effects.

Results

After implementing pharmacological advice, the participants showed a significant increase in knowledge of rational drug-herb use: from 5.8±1.8 to 8.4±1.6 out of a total of 10 (p<0.001), and their score in terms of appropriate behavior rose from 21.7±2.9 to 24.4±3.1 out of a total of 30 (p<0.001). Additionally, the number of patients with herb-drug interaction risk decreased statistically significantly (37.5% and 25.0%, p=0.031).

Conclusion

Pharmacy-led advice on rational use of herbal products with prescribed NCD medicines is effective in terms of promoting increases in knowledge and appropriate behavior in these matters. This is a strategy for risk management of herb-drug interactions in NCD patients.

A concise review of mushrooms antiviral and immunomodulatory properties that may combat against COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, because of its widespread transmission and infection rates. The unique severe disease was found in Wuhan, China, since December 2019, and swiftly spread throughout the world. Natural chemicals derived from herbal medicines and medicinal mushrooms provide a significant resource for the development of novel antiviral drugs. Many natural drugs have been proven to have antiviral properties against a variety of virus strains, such as the coronavirus and the herpes simplex virus (HSV).. In this research, successful dietary treatments for different COVID illnesses were compared to potential of mushroom products in its therapy. In Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus, search keywords like COVID, COVID-19, SARS, MERS, mushrooms, and their compounds were utilized. In this review of the literature we foucsed popular mushrooms such as Agaricus subrufescens Peck, Agaricus blazei Murill, Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis.) P. Karst., Grifola frondosa (Dicks.) Gray, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers., Inonotus obliquus (Arch. Ex Pers.) Pilát., Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., Poria cocos F.A. Wolf, and Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd.,. Changed forms of β-Glucan seem to have a good impact on viral replication suppression and might be used in future studies. However, the results seems terpenoids, lectins, glycoproteins, lentinan, galactomannan, and polysaccharides from mushrooms are promising prophylactic or therapeutic agents against COVID-19.

Lanostane triterpenoids from cultivated fruiting bodies of basidiomycete Ganoderma mbrekobenum

In the quest for medicinally active compounds in mushrooms of the genus Ganoderma, eleven undescribed lanostane triterpenoids, including a novel chlorinated derivative, i.e., (20S,24E)-21-chloro-15β,20,29-trihydroxy-3,7,11-trioxolanosta-8,24-dien-26-oic acid, were isolated from artificially cultivated fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Ganoderma mbrekobenum. The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data. The configuration of the C-20 atom in the most abundant 20-hydroxy-lanostane, (20S,24E)-15β,20,29-trihydroxy-3,7,11-trioxolanosta-8,24-dien-26-oic acid, was established by chemical derivatization, and the absolute configuration of the lanostane skeleton was determined by ECD calculation. Two of the undescribed compounds exhibited moderate antimalarial activity.

Diverse Triterpenoids from Mastic Produced by Pistacia lentiscus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Eight undescribed triterpenoids (1-8), including one apotirucallane-type triterpenoid (1), six tirucallane-type triterpenoids (2-7), and one oleanane-type triterpenoid (8), along with ten known compounds (9-18) were isolated from the resins of Pistacia lentiscus. Their structures were elucidated by integrating NMR spectroscopic analyses and ESI-HR-MS. Compounds 5, 11-17 exhibited moderate inhibitory abilities against NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 18.26-50.37 μM, compared to that of the positive control dexamethasone (IC₅₀ =20.24 μM).

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties

Reishi owes an exceptional value in nutritional, cosmeceutical, and medical treatments; however, none of the studies has provided its future-driven critical assessment. This study documents an up-to-date review (2015-2020, wherever applicable) and provide valuable insights (preclinical and clinical evidence-based) with comprehensive and critical assessments. Various databases 'Google scholar', 'Web of Science', 'ScienceDirect', 'PubMed', 'Springer Link', books, theses, and library resources were used. The taxonomic chaos of G. lucidum and its related species was discussed in detail with solution-oriented emphasis. Reishi contains polysaccharides (α/β-D-glucans), alkaloids, triterpenoids (ganoderic acids, ganoderenic acids, ganoderol, ganoderiol, lucidenic acids), sterols/ergosterol, proteins (LZ-8, LZ-9), nucleosides (adenosine, inosine, uridine), and nucleotides (guanine, adenine). Some active drugs are explored at an optimum level to make them potential drug candidates. The pharmacological potential was observed in diabetes, inflammation, epilepsy, neurodegeneration, cancer, anxiety, sedation, cardiac diseases, depression, hepatic diseases, and immune disorders; however, most of the studies are preclinical with a number of drawbacks. In particular, quality clinical data are intensely needed to support pharmacological activities for human use. The presence of numerous micro-, macro, and trace elements imparts an essential nutritional and cosmeceutical value to Reishi, and various marketed products are available already, but the clinical studies regarding safety and efficacy, interactions with foods/drinks, chronic use, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity are missing for Reishi. Reishi possesses many valuable pharmacological activities, and the number of patents and clinical trials is increasing for Reishi. Yet, a gap in research exists for Reishi, which is discussed in detail in the forthcoming sections.

Coronaviruses and Nature's Pharmacy for the Relief of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Current challenges to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 should open new prospects in the search for novel drugs from medicinal plants and other natural products. This paper provides details of natural agents that inhibit human coronavirus entry into cells, general replication, and specific chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL^pro)-mediated replication. Medicinal plants, fungi, and marine organisms as remedies for human coronaviruses in China, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa are described. Common species include Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud., Artemisia annua L., Artemisia apiacea Hance, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl, edible brown algae Ecklonia cava Kjellman, Euphorbia neriifolia L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Lonicera japonica Thunb., Pelargonium sidoides DC., Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc., Sanguisorba officinalis L., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Toona sinensis (Juss.) M.Roem., and Torreya nucifera (L.) Siebold & Zucc. At least fifty natural compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, lignins, and tannins, which inhibit various strains of human coronaviruses, are presented. Given the scarcity of efficacious and safe vaccines or drugs for coronavirus disease 2019, natural products are low-hanging fruits that should be harnessed as the new global frontier against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Antimalarial lanostane triterpenoids from cultivated fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Ganoderma sp

Ten previously undescribed lanostane-type triterpenoids (1-10), together with 15 known lanostanes, were isolated from artificially cultivated fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Ganoderma sp. BCC 21329. The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data and by application of the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 showed moderate antimalarial activity (IC₅₀ 3.8-7.6 μg ml^-1).

Herbal Medicine for Cardiovascular Diseases: Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Safety

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant health burden with an ever-increasing prevalence. They remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The use of medicinal herbs continues to be an alternative treatment approach for several diseases including CVDs. Currently, there is an unprecedented drive for the use of herbal preparations in modern medicinal systems. This drive is powered by several aspects, prime among which are their cost-effective therapeutic promise compared to standard modern therapies and the general belief that they are safe. Nonetheless, the claimed safety of herbal preparations yet remains to be properly tested. Consequently, public awareness should be raised regarding medicinal herbs safety, toxicity, potentially life-threatening adverse effects, and possible herb–drug interactions. Over the years, laboratory data have shown that medicinal herbs may have therapeutic value in CVDs as they can interfere with several CVD risk factors. Accordingly, there have been many attempts to move studies on medicinal herbs from the bench to the bedside, in order to effectively employ herbs in CVD treatments. In this review, we introduce CVDs and their risk factors. Then we overview the use of herbs for disease treatment in general and CVDs in particular. Further, data on the ethnopharmacological therapeutic potentials and medicinal properties against CVDs of four widely used plants, namely Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Ganoderma lucidum, and Gynostemma pentaphyllum, are gathered and reviewed. In particular, the employment of these four plants in the context of CVDs, such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, peripheral vascular diseases, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and dyslipidemias has been reviewed, analyzed, and critically discussed. We also endeavor to document the recent studies aimed to dissect the cellular and molecular cardio-protective mechanisms of the four plants, using recently reported in vitro and in vivo studies. Finally, we reviewed and reported the results of the recent clinical trials that have been conducted using these four medicinal herbs with special emphasis on their efficacy, safety, and toxicity.

Lanostane triterpenoids from cultivated fruiting bodies of the wood-rot basidiomycete Ganoderma casuarinicola

Sixteen previously undescribed lanostane-type triterpenoids (1-16), together with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from cultivated fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Ganoderma casuarinicola, a recently described species. The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data. Two of these compounds, 9 and 10, showed antimalarial activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.7 and 9.2 μg/ml, respectively.

Ganoderal A effectively induces osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells via cross-talk between Wnt/β-catenin and BMP/SMAD signaling pathways

Osteogenic inducers play central roles in effective stem cell-based treatment of bone defects/losses. However, the current routine osteogenic inducer is a cocktail comprising three components that must be improved due to low induction efficiency and side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective osteoinducers. Herein, we demonstrated the osteogenic effect of Ganoderal A (GD-A), a tetracyclic triterpenoid compound from Ganoderma lucidum. GD-A showed no cytotoxicity toward human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) at doses of 0.001-10 μM; furthermore, 0.01 μM GD-A significantly induced the generation of osteoblast-specific markers, such as alkaline phosphatase, and calcium deposition in hAMSCs. At molecular levels, GD-A promoted the expression of multiple osteoblast differentiation markers, such as RUNX2, OSX, OPN, ALP, OCN, and COL1α1. Both Wnt/β-catenin and BMP/SMAD signaling were shown as active during hAMSC osteodifferentiation. Furthermore, specific blocking of both signals by KYA1797K and SB431542 significantly inhibited alkaline phosphatase secretion and RUNX2 and ALP expression when used alone or in combination. Meanwhile, both signals were also blocked. These findings suggest that GD-A induces hAMSC differentiation into osteoblasts through signaling cross-talk between Wnt/β-catenin and BMP/SMAD. Taken together, GD-A is a safe, effective, and novel osteoinducer and might be used for stem cell-based therapy for bone defects/losses.

Steroid sulfatase inhibiting lanostane triterpenes - Structure activity relationship and in silico insights

Steroid sulfatase (STS) transforms hormone precursors into active steroids. Thus, it represents a target of intense research regarding hormone-dependent cancers. In this study, three ligand-based pharmacophore models were developed to identify STS inhibitors from natural sources. In a pharmacophore-based virtual screening of a curated molecular TCM database, lanostane-type triterpenes (LTTs) were predicted as STS ligands. Three traditionally used polypores rich in LTTs, i.e., Ganoderma lucidum Karst., Gloeophyllum odoratum Imazeki, and Fomitopsis pinicola Karst., were selected as starting materials. Based on eighteen thereof isolated LTTs a structure activity relationship for this compound class was established with piptolinic acid D (1), pinicolic acid B (2), and ganoderol A (3) being the most pronounced and first natural product STS inhibitors with IC₅₀ values between 10 and 16 µM. Molecular docking studies proposed crucial ligand target interactions and a prediction tool for these natural compounds correlating with experimental findings.

Mushrooms: an emerging resource for therapeutic terpenoids

Mankind has always been fascinated with nature and have heavily explored natural products since the ancient times. Evolution of diseases led to research on synthetic structure, specificity and activity-guided treatment. To combat threats of new developing diseases and the deleterious side effects posed by modern therapy, researchers have once again looked back towards natural resources. Although plants have been the main source of natural drugs, lower fungi are being recently paid attention to. Among them, mushrooms have emerged as an under-explored yet immensely rich resource, especially for bioactive terpenoids. A lot of research is going on around the world with mushroom-derived terpenoids especially their medicinal properties, some of which have even been used in pre- and post-clinical studies. From the literatures that are available, it was found that mushroom terpenoids have activity against a wide range of diseases. In this review, we have summarized different mushroom-derived terpenoids and their therapeutic properties.

New Unsaturated Lactones and a Meroterpenoid from Ganoderma lucidum

From the dried fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, 2 new unsaturated lactones, dayaolingzhilactones A and B (1 and 2), and 1 new meroterpenoid, dayaolingzhiol H (3), together with 10 known compounds (4-13), were isolated. Their chemical structures were identified by using spectroscopic data and calculated specific rotation. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1 and 2 toward acetylcholinesterase (AchE) were assessed in vitro with tacrine as the positive control. Both of them exhibited moderate AchE inhibitory activities at the concentration of 50 μM.

Ganoderic Acid TR, a New Lanostanoid with 5α-Reductase Inhibitory Activity from the Fruiting Body of Ganoderma Lucidum

By means of 5α-reductase inhibitory activity-guided fractionation, a new lanostanoid, 15α-hydroxy-3-oxolanosta- 7, 9(11), 24(E)-trien-26-oic acid, named as ganoderic acid TR, was isolated from the ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst (Ganodermataceae). The compound showed potent inhibitory activity with an IC50 of 8.5 μM. Modified Mosher's method established the S-configuration of the secondary hydroxyl group at C-15. In addition, a carboxyl group on the side chain of ganoderic acid TR is essential to elicit the inhibitory activity because of the considerably lower activity of its methyl ester.

The Potential Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Oleanolic Acid in the Hydroethanolic Extract of Crataegus monogyna Jacq

The hydroethanolic extract of Crataegus monogyna was studied for its chemical constitution and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The extract contained triterpenic acids, flavonoids and coumarins. The ACE inhibitory activity was studied using captropril, as a control drug, and oleanolic acid, as a constituent of the hydroethanolic extract and a member of the triterpenic acid group. The hydroethanolic extract and oleanolic acid showed higher IC50 values (335.00 μg/mL and 3.61 μM, respectively) in comparison to captopril (46.9 nM). However, these results indicate the anti-ACE activity of oleanolic acid and the triterpenic acids, which has not been demonstrated earlier for hawthorn extracts. In previous studies, the ACE inhibitory activity of C. monogyna extracts was always attributed to flavonoids and proanthocyanidins.

Lanostane triterpenoids from Ganoderma luteomarginatum and their cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines

Lanostane triterpenoids are major metabolites of macrofungi from the genus Ganoderma and possess enormous substitution diversity and remarkable biological activities, especially anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The present phytochemical investigation resulted in the isolation of nine undescribed lanostane triterpenoids and five known analogues from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma luteomarginatum, which was first phytochemically studied by our group. Chemical structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic evidence. (5α,23E)-27-nor-lanosta-8,23-dien-3,7,25-trione and (5α,23E)-27-nor-3β-hydroxylanosta-8,23-dien-7,25-dione are undescribed triterpenoids with an unusual 27-nor-lanostane carbon skeleton. All isolates were assayed for their cytotoxic activities using four human cancer cell lines (HGC-27, HeLa, A549, and SMMC-7721) and one human normal cell line (LO2), and the structure-cytotoxicity relationships were preliminarily explored. (5α,24E)-3β-acetoxyl-26-hydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-7-one exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against HeLa and A549 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 1.29 and 1.50 μM, respectively.

Eight new triterpenoids with inhibitory activity against HMG-CoA reductase from the medical mushroom Ganoderma leucocontextum collected in Tibetan plateau

Eight new triterpenoids, ganoleucoins T-Z(1-3, 5-8), and AA (9), together with eleven known triterpenes were isolated and identified from the wild fruiting bodies of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma leucocontextum. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of NMR and MS spectral analysis. The inhibitory effects of 1-9 on HMG-CoA reductase were tested in vitro. Compounds 1, 7 and 8 showed significant HMG-CoA reductase inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 10.2, 9.72 and 8.68 μM, respectively. The other isolated compounds presented relatively weak inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values >100 μM. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis showed that the HMG moiety in 7 and 8 contributed greatly to their inhibitory activity against HMG-CoA reductase. This work further demonstrates the mushroom G. leucocontextum to be valuable herbal medicine that deserves deep investigation.

One single standard substance for the simultaneous determination of 17 triterpenes in Ganoderma lingzhi and its related species using high-performance liquid chromatography

Due to the difficulty and high cost for the preparation of triterpenes, one single standard for the simultaneous determination of multi-components (SSDMC) with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is an advanced solution for multi-component analysis. Experiments were carried out to investigate the feasibility of SSDMC for the analysis of Ganoderma triterpenes, with external standard method (ESM) compared, and the samples of Ganoderma were classified by the content of Ganoderma triterpenes. The analysis was performed by using a Fortis Speed Core-C18 column (150mm×4.6mm I.D., 2.6μm) at gradient elution of 0.01% glacial acetic acid-water (V/V) and acetonitrile with diode array detection (252nm), at a flow rate of 1mL/min. The results showed that all calibration curves had good linearity (r²>0.9999) within test ranges. The LOD and LOQ were lower than 2.52ng and 6.43ng, respectively. The RSD for intra-day and inter-day of the seventeen analytes were less than 3.12% at three levels, and the recoveries were 91.4-103.0%. The contents of other 16 triterpenes were determined with ganoderic acid A by SSDMC, which showed that there were few differences compared with the results obtained by ESM. Moreover, the classification of 25 different species and strains of Ganoderma by using the content of triterpenes intuitively reflected the distinction among Ganoderma. In summary, the developed method could be readily utilized as a method of quality evaluation for Ganoderma triterpenes.

Secondary metabolites from Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a genus of medicinal mushrooms. This review deals with secondary metabolites isolated from Ganoderma and their biological significance. Phytochemical studies over the last 40years led to the isolation of 431 secondary metabolites from various Ganoderma species. The major secondary compounds isolated are (a) C30 lanostanes (ganoderic acids), (b) C30 lanostanes (aldehydes, alcohols, esters, glycosides, lactones, ketones), (c) C27 lanostanes (lucidenic acids), (d) C27 lanostanes (alcohols, lactones, esters), (e) C24, C25 lanostanes (f) C30 pentacyclic triterpenes, (g) meroterpenoids, (h) farnesyl hydroquinones (meroterpenoids), (i) C15 sesquiterpenoids, (j) steroids, (k) alkaloids, (l) prenyl hydroquinone (m) benzofurans, (n) benzopyran-4-one derivatives and (o) benzenoid derivatives. Ganoderma lucidum is the species extensively studied for its secondary metabolites and biological activities. Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma colossum, Ganoderma sinense, Ganoderma cochlear, Ganoderma tsugae, Ganoderma amboinense, Ganoderma orbiforme, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma hainanense, Ganoderma concinna, Ganoderma pfeifferi, Ganoderma neo-japonicum, Ganoderma tropicum, Ganoderma australe, Ganoderma carnosum, Ganoderma fornicatum, Ganoderma lipsiense (synonym G. applanatum), Ganoderma mastoporum, Ganoderma theaecolum, Ganoderma boninense, Ganoderma capense and Ganoderma annulare are the other Ganoderma species subjected to phytochemical studies. Further phytochemical studies on Ganoderma could lead to the discovery of hitherto unknown biologically active secondary metabolites.

New triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and their bioactivities

Phytochemical investigation of the AcOEt extract of G. Lucidum has led to the isolation of two new triterpenoids, 1 and 2, together with five known ones, 3-7. The structures of the new compounds were identified as 12β-acetoxy-3β,7β-dihydroxy-11,15,23-trioxolanost-8-en-26-oic acid butyl ester (1) and 12β-acetoxy-3,7,11,15,23-pentaoxolanost-8-en-26-oic acid butyl ester (2) on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (mass spectrometry, and 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments). The antimicrobial activities of 1 and 2 were also evaluated.

Ganoderma lucidum mushroom for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND

Ganoderma lucidum (also known as lingzhi or reishi) is a mushroom that has been consumed for its broad medicinal properties in Asia for over 2000 years. G lucidum is becoming increasingly popular in western countries as a complementary medicine for cardiovascular health.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of G lucidum for the treatment of pharmacologically modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL Issue 6 of 12, 2014) on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID, 1946 to June week 3 2014), EMBASE (OVID, 1980 to 2014 week 26), Science Direct (1823 to 2013), Current Controlled Trials (1990 to 2013), Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (2005 to 2013), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (2007 to 2013), Chinese Medical Current Contents (2007 to 2013) and other databases. We checked reference lists of included studies, contacted content experts and handsearched The International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. We applied no language or publication restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials and controlled clinical trials of G lucidum for the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Primary outcomes were blood glucose level, blood pressure and lipid profile.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias and cross checked data extraction and analysis. A third author arbitrated in the event of disagreement.

MAIN RESULTS

Five trials with a total of 398 participants were eligible for inclusion. Of these, one study was published in Chinese and translated to English; one study was published but study authors provided the additional data used in this review; one study was unpublished and the study authors provided data; and two studies did not provide comparison group data suitable for statistical analyses. The three studies from which data were used for statistical analyses compared G lucidum (1.4 g to 3 g per day) to placebo over 12 to 16 weeks of intervention. Although inclusion criteria varied, all participants of these three studies had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of the five included studies, risk of bias was low for one study and unclear for the remaining four.Results from two studies showed that G lucidum was not associated with statistically or clinically significant reduction in HbA1c (WMD -0.10%; 95% CI -1.05% to 0.85%; 130 participants), total cholesterol (WMD -0.07mmol/L; 95% CI -0.57 mmol/L to 0.42 mmol/L; 107 participants ), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD 0.02 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.41 mmol/L to 0.45 mmol/L; 107 participants), or body-mass index (WMD -0.32 kg/m(2); 95% CI -2.67 kg/m(2) to 2.03 kg/m(2;) 107 participants). All other analyses were from a single study of 84 participants. We found no improvement for fasting plasma glucose (WMD 0.30 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.95 mmol/L to 1.55 mmol/L). Measures of post-prandial blood glucose level found inconsistent results, being in favour of placebo for '2-hour post-prandial blood glucose' (WMD 0.7 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.29 mmol/L to 1.11 mmol/L) and in favour of G lucidum for 'plasma glucose under the curve at 4th hour' (WMD -49.4mg/dL/h; 95% CI -77.21 mg/dL/h to -21.59 mg/dL/h). As the Minimal Clinical Important Differences are unknown, the clinical significance of this effect is unclear. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for blood pressure or triglycerides. Participants who took G lucidum for four months were 1.67 times (RR 1.67 95% CI 0.86 to 3.24) more likely to experience an adverse event than those who took placebo but these were not serious side effects.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from a small number of randomised controlled trials does not support the use of G lucidum for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Future research into the efficacy of G lucidum should be placebo-controlled and adhere to clinical trial reporting standards.

A comprehensive review of the structure elucidation and biological activity of triterpenoids from Ganoderma spp

Ganoderma triterpenes (GTs) are the major secondary metabolites of Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicine, popularly used for complementary cancer therapy. GTs are lanostane-tetracyclic triterpenes. They have been reported to possess anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antimicrobial and blood fat reducing effects. To date, 316 GTs have been found and their similar chemical structures have proved difficult to elucidate. This paper compiles 316 naturally occurring triterpenes from Ganoderma based on the literature published through January 2013 along with their structures, physiological activities and 13C-NMR spectral data.

Antihypertensive Activities of a Solid-State Culture ofTaiwanofungus camphoratus(Chang-Chih) in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Wild and solid-state cultures (SSC) of Taiwanofungus camphoratus (aka Antrodia camphorata and Chang-chih [CC]) were sequentially extracted with cold water, methanol, and hot water to get cold-water-soluble (CWS), methanol-soluble (MS), and hot-water-soluble (HWS) extracts, respectively. Only the MS extract exhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. The antihypertensive effects of the MS extract (10 mg/kg BW) were measured in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. MS extract of the SSC type was able to effectively lower the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of SHR, but not of WKY rats, the results being significantly different from those for distilled water only (the blank). However, wild CC and its MS extract were not as effective as the SSC type in reducing SHR blood pressure and had no effect on WKY rats. SSC-type CC might be developed into a health food with the ability to regulate blood pressure.

Wild Mushrooms in Nepal: Some Potential Candidates as Antioxidant and ACE-Inhibition Sources

Twenty-nine mushrooms collected in the mountainous areas of Nepal were analyzed for antioxidant activity by different methods, including Folin-Ciocalteu, ORAC, ABTS, and DPPH assays. Intracellular H₂O₂-scavenging activity was also performed on HaCaT cells. The results showed that phenolic compounds are the main antioxidant of the mushrooms. Among studied samples, Inonotus andersonii, and Phellinus gilvus exhibited very high antioxidant activity with the phenolic contents up to 310.8 and 258.7 mg GAE/g extracts, respectively. The H₂O₂-scavenging assay on cells also revealed the potential of these mushrooms in the prevention of oxidative stress. In term of ACE-inhibition, results showed that Phlebia tremellosa would be a novel and promising candidate for antihypertensive studies. This mushroom exhibited even higher in vitro ACE-inhibition activity than Ganoderma lingzhi, with the IC₅₀ values of the two mushrooms being 32 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL, respectively. This is the first time biological activities of mushrooms collected in Nepal were reported. Information from this study should be a valuable reference for future studies on antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activities of mushrooms.

Characterization of an antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide from the edible mushroom Hypsizygus marmoreus

Hypertension is one of the very serious diseases and, recently, hypertensive patient longevity has been increased significantly. Therefore, the development of new antihypertensive drugs or bioactive compounds is very important to remedy or prevent hypertension. The antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in water extracts from the brown-cultivar-fruiting-body of Hypsizygus marmoreus was purified with ultrafiltration, C₁₈ solid phase extraction chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC, and the purified ACE inhibitor with inhibitory activity of IC₅₀ value of 0.19 mg/mL was obtained. The purified ACE inhibitor was found to be a new oligopeptide with the sequence LSMGSASLSP. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 567.3 Da and the water extracts containing ACE inhibitor from Hypsizygus marmoreus showed a clear antihypertensive action a spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Bioactive natural constituents from food sources-potential use in hypertension prevention and treatment

Prevention and management of hypertension are the major public health challenges worldwide. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may lead to a shortened life expectancy and a higher morbidity due to a high risk of cardiovascular complications such as coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm irregularities, and kidney failure etc. In recent years, it has been recognized that many dietary constituents may contribute to human cardiovascular health. There has been an increased focus on identifying these natural components of foods, describing their physiological activities and mechanisms of actions. Grain, vegetables, fruits, milk, cheese, meat, chicken, egg, fish, soybean, tea, wine, mushrooms, and lactic acid bacteria are various food sources with potential antihypertensive effects. Their main bioactive constituents include angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides, vitamins C and E, flavonoids, flavanols, cathecins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, polyphenols, tannins, resveratrol, polysaccharides, fiber, saponin, sterols, as well as K, Ca, and P. They may reduce blood pressure by different mechanisms, such as ACE inhibition effect, antioxidant, vasodilatory, opiate-like, Ca(2+) channel blocking, and chymase inhibitory activities. These functional foods may provide new therapeutic applications for hypertension prevention and treatment, and contribute to a healthy cardiovascular population. The present review summarizes the antihypertensive food sources and their bioactive constituents, as well as physiological mechanisms of dietary products, especially focusing on ACE inhibitory activity.