Natural compounds from plants and animals have long been used in drug development, but mushrooms remain underexplored despite their rich chemical potential. Now, researchers from Japan have successfully developed the first method to synthesize inaoside A, a compound derived from the edible mushroom Laetiporus cremeiporus. This achievement will help better understand more of its bioactive properties and pave the way for similar mushroom-derived compounds in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Natural compounds derived from plants and animals have long been a source of inspiration when developing drugs and dietary supplements. Many well-established medical substances are derived from compounds isolated from plants, with morphine, aspirin, and paclitaxel being prime examples.

Unfortunately, despite their long history of human consumption for their beneficial properties, mushrooms, and their varied chemical repertoire have received much less attention from biochemists.

  • BreadOven@lemmy.world
    0·
    6 days ago

    Kind of surprised it hasn’t been done before. Looks like a pretty easy synthesis, especially with the ribose stereochemistry being the way it is.

    The aryl portion also doesn’t seem too complicated.