Isolation and identification of phytochemicals and biological activities of Hericium ernaceus and their contents in Hericium strains using HPLC/UV analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHericium ernaceus has been traditionally used for the treatment of dyspepsia, gastric ulcer and enervation in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time.Aim of the studyTo examine the effect of Hericium strains on their ability to inhibit LPS and interferon-γ induced NO production in cell culture and the bioassay correlation of hericenone C, D, F, isolated from H. ernaceus.Materials and methodsHericenone C, D, F were isolated from H. ernaceus by open column chromatography and identified on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. The amounts of hericenone C, D, and F in Hericium strains were determined by HPLC/UV analysis. In order to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Hericium strains extracts, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with 200 μg/mL of Hericium strains extracts for 48 h. Cell growth was assessed by MTT assay.ResultsPhytochemical constituents were isolated from H. ernaceus by open column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated as hericenones C, D, and F on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. The amounts of hericenones C, D, and F in Hericium strains were determined by HPLC/UV analysis. Hericenones C, D, and F contents were highest in Norugungdenglee-2 (8.289±0.593 mg/g), KFRI-1453 (4.657±0.462 mg/g), and KFRI-1093 (5.408±0.420 mg/g) strains, respectively. All Hericium strains extracts tested inhibited the lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-γ-induced inflammatory activity of RAW264.7 cells. The strain KFRI-1093 about 39.6% reduced NO generation with compared to control.ConclusionWe believe that the anti-inflammatory effect of KFRI-1093 was due to hericenone F content. Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use, natural drugs and health supplements. And also, the developed simple, accurate and rapid LC method can be used determinate the content of hericenones from other Hericium strains.

The anti-inflammatory of Hericium strains.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (171 K)Download as PowerPoint slide