| Abstract: | Antrodia cinnamomea (AC), an edible Taiwanese mushroom, has been recognized as a
valuable natural resource with vast biological and medicinal benefits. Recently, the hypoglycemic and
anti-diabetic effects of AC were mentioned in several studies. However, no studies have investigated
α-glucosidase inhibitors from AC fruiting bodies (ACFB) as they relate to type 2 diabetes (T2D)
treatment. The purpose of this study was to gain evidence of potent α-glucosidase inhibitory effects,
as well as isolate, identify and characterize the active compounds of ACFB. The MeOH extract
of ACFB demonstrated potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and possessed high pH stability
(pH 2–11) and thermostable properties at 40–50 ◦C. Further purification led to the isolation of eight
constituents from ACFB, identified as: 25S-antcin K (1), 25R-antcin K (2), dehydrosulphurenic acid
(3), 25S-antcin I (4), 25S-antcin B (5), 25R-antcin B (6), dehydroeburicoic acid (7) and eburicoic acid
(8). Notably, the ACFB extract and its identified compounds, except 1, 4, and 6 demonstrated a
greater effect (EC50 = 0.025–0.21 mg/mL) than acarbose (EC50 = 0.278 mg/mL). As such, these active
compounds were determined to be new potent mushroom α-glucosidase inhibitors. These active
compounds were also identified on the HPLC fingerprints of ACFB. |
