Comparative Analysis of Agronomic Traits, Yield, and Effective Components of Main Cultivated Ganoderma Mushrooms (Agaricomycetes) in China.

To assess the strain resources and address production challenges in Ganoderma cultivation. 150 Ganoderma strains were collected from 13 provinces in China. A comparative analysis of agronomic traits and effective components was conducted. Among the 150 strains, key agronomic traits measured were: average stipe diameter (15.92 mm), average stipe length (37.46 mm), average cap horizontal diameter (94.97 mm), average cap vertical diameter (64.21 mm), average cap thickness (15.22 mm), and average fruiting body weight (14.30 g). Based on these agronomic traits, four promising strains, namely, L08, L12, Z21, and Z39, were recommended for further cultivation and breeding. The average crude polysaccharide content ranged from 0.048% to 0.977%, and triterpenoids ranged from 0.804% to 2.010%. In addition, 73 triterpenoid compounds were identified, constituting 47.1% of the total compounds. Using a distance discrimination method, the types, and relative contents of triterpenoid compounds in 150 Ganoderma strains were classified, achieving 98% accuracy in G. lingzhi identification. The 16 triterpenoid components used for G. lingzhi identification included oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, 3ß-acetoxyergosta-7,22-dien-5α-ol, ganoderic acid DM, ganoderiol B, ganorderol A, ganoderic acid GS-1, tsugaric acid A, ganoderic acid GS-2, ganoderenic acid D, ganoderic acid Mf, ganoderic acid A, ganoderic acid K, ganoderic acid V, ganoderic acid G, and leucocontextin J. This study provides valuable insights for exploring and utilizing Ganoderma resources and for the development of new varieties.

Aspertaichamide a, a novel cytotoxic prenylated indole alkaloid possessing a bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane framework from a marine algal-derived endophytic fungus aspergillus taichungensis 299.

Filamentous fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus are prodigious producers of alkaloids, particularly prenylated indole alkaloids, that often exhibit structurally diversified skeletons and potent biological activities. In this study, five prenylated indole alkaloids possessing a bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane core ring system, including a novel derivative, namely aspertaichamide A (1), as well as four known compounds, (+)-stephacidin A (2), sclerotiamide (3), (-)-versicolamide B (4), and (+)-versicolamide B (5), were isolated and identified from A. taichungensis 299, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine red alga Gelidium amansii. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by comprehensive NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. In addition to the previously reported prenylated indole alkaloids, aspertaichamide A (1) was characterized as having an unusual ring structure with the fusion of a 3-pyrrolidone dimethylbenzopyran to the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane moiety, which was rare in these kinds of compounds. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by TDDFT-ECD calculations. In vitro cytotoxic assays revealed that the novel compound 1 possessed selective cytotoxic activity against five human tumor cell lines (A549, HeLa, HepG2, HCT-116, and AGS), with IC50 values of 1.7-48.5 µM. Most importantly, compound 1 decreased the viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 1.7 µM. Further studies indicated that 1 may induce AGS cells programmed cell death via the apoptotic pathway.

Isolation and characterization of a novel tadalafil analogue adulterant, N-cyclohexyl nortadalafil, in a dietary supplement.

A novel tadalafil analogue was detected during routine screening of dietary supplements suspected to be adulterated with an erectile dysfunction drug(s) by using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to Quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC­Q­Exactive Orbitrap/MS). The MS2 spectrum of the compound was highly similar to that of tadalafil within the range of < 300 m/z. The UV spectrum of the compound was almost identical to that of tadalafil. The analogue was purified by semi-preparative HPLC and structurally elucidated by FT-IR, MS and NMR analysis. The analogue was finally determined as N-cyclohexyl nortadalafil, featuring the cyclohexyl group instead of the N-methyl group on the piperazinedione ring of tadalafil.

Anti-smudge and self-cleaning characteristics of waterborne polyurethane coating and its construction.

A novel anti-smudge coating, based on waterborne polyurethane (WPU), Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM) was constructed. Specifically, hydroxyl capped WPU emulsions grafted with PDMS (WPU-g-PDMSX) were prepared firstly, then the Hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM) was used as the crosslinking agent to block the polar hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and the carboxyl groups in WPU-g-PDMSX and increase the cross-linking density of the coating. Oily markers, water, hexadecane, fingerprint liquid, and common liquids in life (milk, coffee, ink and cooking oil) were utilized to demonstrate the anti-graffiti and self-cleaning characteristics of coatings. Aside from having great transparency and exceptional resistance to liquid corrosion, the coating still retains its anti-smudge capabilities even when bent or impacted, and they also exhibit 5B adhesion and 5H pencil hardness. This work provides novel idea and strategy for the preparation of WPU anti-smudge coatings.

Study on Characteristics of Triterpenoids and Hepatoprotective Effects of Fruit Body of Stout Camphor Mushroom, Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Agaricomycetes), Cultivated with Apple-Wood.

Taiwanofungus camphoratus is a parasite medicinal fungus with significant hepatoprotective activity that grows in Cinnamomum camphora, a class II protected tree species in Taiwan. Currently, commercial cultivation of T. camphoratus is limited by the resources of C. camphora. To broaden the range of substrates, this study investigated the feasibility of using apple-wood as a substrate for T. camphoratus cultivation and examined the content of fruit body triterpenoids and liver-protective activity as quality indicators. The triterpenoids were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared with T. camphoratus cultivated in C. camphora. The ICR mouse acute alcoholic liver injury model was used to explore the hepatoprotective effects of the apple-wood cultivated fungus. T. camphoratus grew on apple-wood medium within 7 months; a total of 62 fungal triterpenoid components were detected, including the seven characteristic triterpenoids. Only three were higher in T. camphoratus cultured on C. camphora. The medium-dose fungal extracts (150 mg/kg) produced significant protective effects against acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. These results indicate that apple-wood cultivation is a feasible method compared to C. camphora for commercial cultivation of T. camphoratus.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic phenolic bisabolane sesquiterpenoids from the fungus Aspergillus flavipes 297.

Phenolic bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids (PBS) represent a rare class of natural products with diverse biological activities. In this study, chemical investigations of the fungus Aspergillus flavipes 297 resulted in the isolation and identification of seven PBS, including a pair of new enantiomers (+)-1a and (-)-1b, a new derivative 2, and five previously reported ones 3-7. The chemical structures of the isolated PBS were determined by extensive NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of the separated enantiomers (+)-1a and (-)-1b were solved by comparison of the experimental ECD spectra with those of the TDDFT-ECD calculated spectra. The new compounds 1 and 2 represent rare cases of PBS bearing a methylsulfinyl group, which was distinct from the commonly-observed PBS structurally. All the isolated compounds 1-7 were evaluated their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. As a result, the tested compounds showed selective antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic bacteria and fungi with the MIC (minimum inhibiting concentrations) values ranging from 2 to 64 µg/mL. Moreover, enantiomers (+)-1a and (-)-1b, together with compound 2, exhibited promising cytotoxicity against MKN-45 and HepG2 cell lines, respectively, indicating that the methylsulfinyl substituent enhanced cytotoxicity to a certain degree.

Chemical Constituents of Plants from the Genus Eupatorium (1904-2014).

Eupatorium (family: Compositae), which comprises nearly 1200 species, is distributed throughout tropical America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Up to now, the reported constituents from the genus Eupatorium involve flavonoids, terpenoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, quinonoids, essential oils, and some others, altogether more than 300 compounds. Studies have shown that Eupatorium and its active principles possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as cytotoxic, antifungal, insecticidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities. Currently, effective monomeric compounds or active parts have been screened for pharmacological activities from Eupatorium in vivo and in vitro. Increasing amount of data supports application and exploitation for new drug development.

A new biflavonoid with antiviral activity from the roots of Wikstroemia indica.

A new biflavonoid, 4'-methoxydaphnodorin E, was isolated from the antiviral fraction of Wikstroemia indica against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Its structure was determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data including HR-ESI-MS and 2D NMR. The biflavonoid was tested for its in vitro anti-RSV activity with cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay, and displayed potent effect with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 2.8 µM and selective index (SI) value of 5.4.

Characterization and identification of saponins in Achyranthes bidentata by rapid-resolution liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid-resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) method coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS/MS) has been developed for analysis of oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins in Achyranthes bidentata. Collision-induced dissociation techniques were used to fragment the precursor molecular ions and the resulting product ions. A retro-Diels-Alder rearrangement from the oleanane aglycone skeleton in the MS/MS process yielded characteristic fragment ions in positive ion mode. These characteristic ions were helpful in predicting the aglycone structure. Losses of monosaccharide sequences, presence of sugar-chain fragment ions, and cleavage of CO(2) were observed for important information on sugar types and attachment sequences. Fragmentation rules of three major groups of saponins from A. bidentata were summarized, and the possible fragmentation pathways were proposed. A total of 22 compounds including both the target and unknown oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were rapidly screened and predicted in the herbal extract by the developed method. The RRLC-Q-TOF MS/MS method has provided a powerful approach for rapid separation, target screening and structural elucidation of oleanane-type saponins, and also opened perspectives for similar studies on other herbal medicines.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Blumea laciniata. METHODS: The chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract from Blumea laciniata were isolated with column chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with their published datas. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as: protocatechuic acid (1), chrysoeriol (2), apigenin (3), 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxbenzoic acid (4), scopolet (5). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 5 are isolated from this plant for the first time, and also obtained from this genus for the first time.

[Studies on the chemical comstituents of Pithecellobium clypearia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Pithecellobium clypearia. METHODS: The compounds were isolated from Pithecellobium clypearia with column chromatography. Their structures were characterized on the basis of their physical and chemical preperties, as well as chromatographic and spectroscopic evidences. RESULTS: A pair of isomeric flavans consisting of 7, 3'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (I) and 7,4'-O-di-gallyoltricetiflavan (II), along with a catechin compound (-)-epigallocatechin-7-O-gallate (III) were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Pithecellobium clypearia. CONCLUSION: Compound I is a new flavan. Compound III is isolated from Pithecellobium genus for the first time, and its 13C-NMR data is firstly given in the present study.

Protection of Carassius auratus Gibelio against infection by Aeromonas hydrophila using specific immunoglobulins from hen egg yolk.

Specific immunoglobulin (IgY) from egg yolk against Aeromonas hydrophila was produced by immunization of White Leghorn hens with formalin-killed whole cells of A. hydrophila. ELISA test using A. hydrophila as the coating antigen revealed that the specific antibody titer started to increase in the egg yolk at the 13th day post-immunization (P/N=2.18), reached the peak at the 56th day (P/N=13.82), and remained at high level until day 133 (P/N=7.03). The antibody was purified by saturated ammonium sulphate with a recovery rate of 63.5%. The specific IgY inhibited the growth of A. hydrophila at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml during the 18 h incubation. Pre-treatment of polyploid gibel carps Carassius auratus Gibelio with specific IgY had a protection rate of 60% (6/10) against challenge with A. hydrophila, while none of the fishes in the control groups receiving sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or non-specific IgY survived the challenge. Treatment of fishes with the specific IgY 4 h after the challenge also had lower mortality (70%, 7/10), a 30% reduction against the control PBS or non-specific IgY groups (10/10). These results indicate that specific IgY antibodies could be obtained easily from hens immunized with an inactivated A. hydrophila and could provide a novel alternative approach to control of diseases in fishes caused by this organism.