Clypeasterol, a novel aromatic ergosterol skeleton from the mushroom Entoloma clypeatum.

Chemical investigation of the wild mushroom Entoloma clypeatum led to the isolation of one new A-nor B-aromatic C28 steroid (1), along with eight known compounds (2-9) from this mushroom. As far as we know, compound 1 represents an unprecedented type of natural product. The structure of the new compound was elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis of HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR, while the relative configuration was confirmed by NOESY correlations. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity of compound 1 was evaluated against LPS induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compound 1 exhibited a moderate anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 24.56 ± 1.72 µM.

Isolation and target identification of antihepatoma polyprenylphenols from the edible mushroom Suillus granulatus.

Eight polyprenylphenol derivatives were isolated from the wild edible mushroom Suillus granulatus, including seven novel compounds, named suillin F-L (2-8), and one previously identified compound (1). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute configuration of compound 8 was assigned based on the comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD data. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 1 and 3-6 demonstrated significant antitumor activity compared to the positive control (cisplatin), with IC50 values ranging from 8.19 to 13.97 µM. Furthermore, DARTS assay and LC-MS/MS analysis were used to identify HSP90AA1 as the direct target of compound 5, and the interaction between compound 5 and HSP90AA1 was verified by molecular docking.

Bioassay-guided isolation of three new alkaloids from Suillus bovinus and preliminary mechanism against ginseng root rot.

In order to control the occurrence of ginseng root rot caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., the antifungal compounds of the mushroom Suillus bovinus were investigated. And three new alkaloids (1-3), named bovinalkaloid A-C, along with one known analog (4), were isolated and identified by bioassay-guided isolation and spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 strongly inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination of F. solani with minimum inhibitory concentration of 2.08 mM. Increases in electrical conductivity, nucleic acid, and protein contents, and decreases in lipid content showed that the membrane permeability and integrity were damaged by compound 1. Compound 1 also increased the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, indicating that lipid peroxidation had taken place in F. solani. Compound 1 may serve as a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of ginseng root rot.

Six new polyphenolic metabolites isolated from the Suillus granulatus and their cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells.

Edible mushrooms are an important source of nutraceuticals and for the discovery of bioactive metabolites as pharmaceuticals. In this work, six new polyphenolic metabolites suillusol A-D (1-4), suillusinoic acid (5), ethyl suillusinoate (6), were isolated from the Suillus granulatus. The structures of new compounds were elucidated using high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. As far as we know, compound 1 represents an unprecedented type of natural product and compound 3 represents a new type of polyphenol fungal pigment, which may be biosynthetically related to thelephoric acid. The cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells of the new compounds were also evaluated. Compound 2 demonstrate significant inhibitory activity against HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 10.85 µM, surpassing that of positive control cisplatin. Moreover, compound 1 and 3 also exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity with their IC50 values measured at 35.60 and 32.62 µM, respectively. Our results indicate that S. granulatus is a rich source of chemical constituents that may provide new lead compounds for the development of anticancer agents.

Intravenous Administration of Vitamin C in the Treatment of Herpes Zoster-Associated Pain: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute inflammatory neurocutaneous disease caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. It is estimated that the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia following HZ is 10-20%. The leading risk factors of the prognosis are aging and immunity dysfunction. Vitamin C plays a pivoted role in enhancing white blood cell function. Epidemiological evidence and clinical studies have indicated an association between pain and suboptimal vitamin C status. At present, vitamin C has been used as an additional option in the treatment of HZ-associated pain. Despite the current controversy, case reports and randomized controlled studies have indicated that both acute- and postherpetic neuralgia can be dramatically alleviated following intravenous vitamin C infusions. Case Presentation. Two patients (male aged 72 and female 78 years) with HZ did not respond well to antiviral therapy and analgesics. Skin lesions in the right groin and front thigh healed after early antiviral therapy, but the outbreak of pain persisted in the male patient. The female patient presented to our clinic with clusters of rashes in the right forehead with severe edema of her right upper eyelid. Because nerve blockade could not be conducted for both patients, intravenous infusion of vitamin C was applied and resulted in an immediate remission of the breakthrough pain in the male patient and cutaneous lesions in the female patient. Conclusions: The use of vitamin C appears to be an emerging treatment alternative for attenuating HZ and PHN pain. Hence, we recommend the addition of concomitant use of intravenously administered vitamin C into therapeutic strategies in the treatment of HZ-associated pain, especially for therapy-resistant cases. Furthermore, animal studies are required to determine analgesic mechanisms of vitamin C, and more randomized clinical trials are essential to further determine the optimal dose and timing of administration of vitamin C.