Isolation and characterization of dihydropyran-ring containing meroterpenoids from Ganoderma lucidum and their inhibitory activity against renal fibrosis-related protein expression

The Ganoderma lucidum mushroom, which has been used as a traditional medicine in China for more than 2000 years, is a source of many interesting natural product. In this study, the five undescribed minor meroterpenoids baoslingzhines F-J (1-5), containing a dihydropyran moiety, were isolated as racemic mixtures from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum. These substances were structurally and stereochemically characterized by using spectroscopic and computational methods. Chiral HPLC was employed to separate the (+)- and (-)-antipodes. A survey of the activities against kidney fibrosis showed that both enantiomers of baoslingzhines F-J inhibit expression of renal fibrosis-related proteins, including fibronectin, collagen I and alpha-SMA in TGF-& beta;1-induced rat kidney proximal tubular cells.

Automated summary

The Ganoderma lucidum mushroom, a traditional medicine in China for over 2000 years, was found to contain five undescribed minor meroterpenoids, baoslingzhines F-J (1-5), which possess dihydropyran moiety. Spectroscopic and computational methods were used to determine their structures and stereochemistry. Chiral HPLC separation of the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers was performed. Both enantiomers of baoslingzhines F-J were found to inhibit the expression of fibronectin, collagen I, and alpha-SMA, proteins related to renal fibrosis, in TGF-β1-induced rat kidney proximal tubular cells.