Both Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and G. sinense (GS) are used as Lingzhi in China. Their functions are assumed to mainly derive from triterpenes and polysaccharides; however, the two species have very different triterpenes profiles, if this was the case, then the bioactivity of these two species should differ. Instead, could the polysaccharides be similar, contributing to the shared therapeutic basis? In this study, two main polysaccharide fractions from different batches of GL and GS were systematically compared by a series of chemical and biological experiments. The results showed that the polysaccharides from two species shared the same structural features in terms of mono-/oligo-saccharide profiles, molecular size, sugar linkages, and IR/NMR spectra. In addition, these polysaccharides showed similar tumor-suppressive activity in mice. Further study on RAW264.7 cells indicated that these polysaccharides exhibited similar inducing effects to macrophages, as evaluated in the phagocytosis function, NO/cytokines production, inhibition against the viability and migration of cancer cells. Mechanistic investigation revealed the identical activation via TLR-4 related MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and gut-microbiota modulatory effects. In summary, GL and GS polysaccharides presented similar chemical features, antitumor/immunomodulating activities and mechanism; this establishes polysaccharides as the active principles and supports the official use of both species as Lingzhi.
A novel 20‐nor‐ent‐kaurene diterpenoid, rubescensin N (1), and a new 7,20‐epoxy‐ent‐kaurene diterpenoid, rubescensin O (2), along with the seven known diterpenoids rabdoternins A–F and xerophilusin N, were isolated from Isodon rubescens collected in Jiyuan prefecture, Henan Province, China. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 is the first example of a naturally occurring 20‐nor‐ent‐kaurene diterpenoid from the Isodon genus plants.
Two new diterpenoids, rubescensin S (=(1α,6β,14β)‐7α,20‐epoxy‐1,7,14‐trihydroxy‐16‐oxo‐15,16‐seco‐ent‐kauran‐6,15‐olide; 1) and rubescensin T (=(1α,6β,11β,20S)‐7α,20‐epoxy‐1,6,7‐trihydroxy‐20‐methoxy‐8,15‐seco‐ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐11,15‐olide; 2) were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Isodon rubescens var. taihangensis. Compound 1 possesses a unique, unprecedented 15,16‐seco‐ent‐kaurane skeleton. Both compounds exhibited cytotoxic activities against K562 human leukemia cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.