Lucidenic acid A

Lucidenic acids-rich extract from antlered form of Ganoderma lucidum enhances TNFα induction in THP-1 monocytic cells possibly via its modulation of MAP kinases p38 and JNK.[Pubmed: 21453678]

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2011 Apr 29;408(1):18-24.

The Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is one of the oriental fungi that has been reported to have immunomodulatory properties. Although effect of β-glucans from G. lucidum has been well documented, little is known about how other major bioactive components, the triterpenes, contribute to the immunomodulatory function of G. lucidum.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Here, we showed that triterpenes-rich extract of antlered form of G. lucidum (G. lucidum AF) induces TNFα production in monocytic THP-1 cells. Furthermore, the extract also synergized with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce TNFα production in THP-1 cells, suggesting an immunostimulatory role of triterpenes-rich extract of G. lucidum AF. Notably, the extract enhanced LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), while it suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK. p38 Inhibitor suppressed TNFα production, while JNK inhibitor enhanced TNFα production, implying that synergistic effect of the extract may work by modulating p38 and JNK MAPKs. Moreover, we found that the triterpenes-rich extract of G. lucidum AF contains high amounts of lucidenic acids. Lucidenic acid-A, -F and -D(2), which seem to dominantly exist in the extract, were purified from the triterpenes-rich extract. We also identified Lucidenic acid-A and -F as modulators of JNK and p38, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Thus, our data demonstrate that lucidenic acids-rich extract from G. lucidum AF enhances LPS-induced immune responses in monocytic THP-1 cells possibly via the modulation of p38 and JNK MAPKs activation.

Two new triterpenoids, lucidenic acid N (1) and methyl lucidenate F (2), together with four known compounds, lucidenic acid A, lucidenolactone, lucidenic acid C, and ganoderic acid E, were isolated from the dried fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. Thei[Pubmed: 11520245]

J. Nat.Prod., 2001, 64(64):1121-2.

Two new triterpenoids, lucidenic acid N (1) and methyl lucidenate F (2), together with four known compounds, Lucidenic acid A, lucidenolactone, lucidenic acid C, and ganoderic acid E, were isolated from the dried fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
Their structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical transformation studies. Among them, lucidenic acid N (1), Lucidenic acid A, and ganoderic acid E showed significant cytotoxic activity against Hep G2, Hep G2,2,15, and P-388 tumor cells.

The anti-invasive effect of lucidenic acids isolated from a new Ganoderma lucidum strain.[Pubmed: 17979098 ]

Mol. Nutr. Food Res., 2007, 51(12):1472-7.

Ganoderma lucidum is a well-known mushroom with various pharmacological effects that has been used for health and longevity purposes.
METHODS AND RESULTS:
The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-invasive effect of lucidenic acids isolated from a new G. lucidum strain (YK-02) against human hepatoma carcinoma (HepG(2)) cells. Triterpenoid components in the ethanol extract of G. lucidum (YK-02) were separated by means of a semi-preparative RP HPLC. Four major peaks were separated and crystallized from triterpenoids fraction, and were identified as lucidenic acids A, B, C, and N according to their spectroscopic values of (1)H NMR and MS. Treatment of the lucidenic acids (50 microM) in the presence of 200 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) after 24 h of incubation all resulted in significant inhibitory effects on PMA-induced MMP-9 activity and invasion of HepG(2 )cells.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results indicate that the lucidenic acids isolated from G. lucidum (YK-02) are anti-invasive bioactive components on hepatoma cells.