Antiinflammatory triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola

Twelve undescribed lanostane-type triterpenes, and twenty-two known triterpenes were isolated and identified from a medicinal bracket fungus Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The antiinflammatory potential of thirty-two triterpene compounds was evaluated using neutrophils as an assay model, and pinicolasin J was the most potent inhibitor of superoxide anion generation and elastase release, with IC50 values of 1.81 +/- 0.44 and 2.50 +/- 0.64 mu M, respectively. This study provides scientific insight into the nutritional supplement value and medicinal development of Fomitopsis pinicola.