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Irlactane and Tremulane Sesquiterpenes from the Cultures of the Medicinal Fungus Irpex lacteus HFG1102

Summary

This research explored compounds produced by the medicinal mushroom Irpex lacteus, which has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine. Scientists discovered 15 new chemical compounds that had never been seen before. While these particular compounds didn’t show the blood vessel relaxation effects they were testing for, this research helps us better understand the chemistry of medicinal mushrooms. Impacts on everyday life: • Advances our understanding of traditional medicines and how they might work • Helps identify new chemical structures that could lead to future drug development • Demonstrates the ongoing potential of natural products as sources of new medicines • Supports the scientific validation of traditional medicinal mushroom uses • Contributes to the growing field of fungal natural products research

Background

Medicinal fungi are important sources of natural products with diverse structural scaffolds and promising biological activities. The wood-decaying fungus Irpex lacteus is traditionally used as a medicinal fungus for diuretic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory functions. While the Yishenkang capsule made from its fermented polysaccharide fraction is clinically used to treat chronic glomerulonephritis in China, the fungus has not been fully chemically explored.

Objective

To isolate and characterize new bioactive compounds from the cultures of the medicinal fungus Irpex lacteus HFG1102, particularly focusing on tremulane sesquiterpenes which are typically found in fungi.

Results

The study led to the isolation of 15 previously undescribed tremulane sesquiterpenes named irlactin K and irpexolactins A-N, along with 9 known compounds. Among these, irpexolactins A and B contained an unusual 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione moiety. The absolute configurations of compounds were determined through X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic analysis. Vasorelaxant activity testing of selected compounds showed no significant effects.

Conclusion

This research expanded the structural diversity of mushroom-derived tremulane-type sesquiterpenoids through the isolation and characterization of 15 new compounds from Irpex lacteus. The discovery of compounds with novel structural features demonstrates the potential of this medicinal fungus as a source of unique natural products.
  • Published in:Natural Products and Bioprospecting,
  • Study Type:Natural Products Chemistry,
  • Source: 10.1007/s13659-020-00239-z
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