C27-Nor lanostane triterpenoids of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum and their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesteras

•Nineteen lanostane nor-triterpenoids have been obtained from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum.•Five new nor-triterpenoids have been determined.•C27-nor triterpenoids displayed moderate inhibitory effects against AChE.•Docking analysis was performed to investigate the inhibition mechanism.

The lanostane nor-triterpenoids (ganoderic acids) of the functional food and folk medicine Ganoderma lucidum have been investigated by chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic data analysis. Nineteen nor-ganoderic acid analogues were obtained and identified, yielding five new lanostane analogues (1-4 and 11). All of the triterpenoids were systemically evaluated for their inhibitory effects against AChE (acetylcholinesterase) in vitro. Triterpenoid 16 was the most potent compound with the IC50 value of 54.5 μM. The docking analysis has been performed to reveal the interaction between ganoderic acid 16 and AChE for developing the new inhibitors of AChE.

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