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

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hericium 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 study: To 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 methods: Hericenone C, D, F were isolated from H. ernaceus by open column chromatography and identified on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including (1)H NMR, (13)C 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 200μg/mL of Hericium strains extracts for 48h. Cell growth was assessed by MTT assay.

Results: Phytochemical 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 (1)H NMR, (13)C 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±0.593mg/g), KFRI-1453 (4.657±0.462mg/g), and KFRI-1093 (5.408±0.420mg/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.

Conclusion: We 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.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Hericenone; Hericium ernaceus; Quantitative analysis.