The 4-acetylantroquinonol B isolated from mycelium of Antrodia cinnamomea inhibits proliferation of hepatoma cells.

BACKGROUND

Antrodia cinnamomea is known for its antihepatoma activity, yet the identity of its active compound was unclear. In this study, a 5-ton fermenter was used to prepare sufficient mycelium of A. cinnamomea for active compound isolation and identification.

RESULTS

Using antiproliferative activity toward HepG2 cells as guidance in the isolation process, 4-acetylantroquinonol B was purified and identified to be the major bioactive compound of A. cinnamomea cultivated by submerged fermentation. The median effective doses (EC(50)) of 4-acetylantroquinonol B for HepG2 cells were 0.10 +/- 0.00 and 0.08 +/- 0.00 microg mL(-1) for 72 and 96 h treatments, respectively. The selective indices of 4-acetylantroquinonol B were 100 and 125 for 72 and 96 h treatments, respectively, indicating that this compound had high selective activity for hepatoma cells.

CONCLUSION

4-Acetylantroquinonol B is the major antihepatoma constituent of Antrodia cinnamomea mycelium produced by submerged fermentation.