Ganoderic acid A is a triterpene that has been found in Ganoderma and has diverse biological activities. It reduces cell viability, expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), SOD2, and SOD3, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Ganoderic acid A (2-100 μg/ml) reduces hypoxia-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. It inhibits LPS-induced activation of NF-κB, release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and mitochondrial activity in primary mouse cortical microglia. Ganoderic acid A (20 and 40 mg/kg) reduces lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, neutrophil infiltration, and NF-κB signaling, as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a mouse model of LPS-induced lung injury. It also reduces weight gain and hepatic lipid accumulation and improves insulin sensitivity in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity.
