Six Bioactive Small Molecules from Tremella fuciformis with Potential for Healthy Aging

Abstract

Six representative small-molecule constituents were isolated and structurally characterized from the edible mushroom Tremella fuciformis: cis-oleic acid (1), 1-oleoylglycerol (2), cerevisterol (3), a cerebroside (4), trans-homoaconitic acid (5), and uridine (6). Compound 5, a tricarboxylic acid derivative, is reported for the first time as abundantly accumulated in this fungus. Aging-relevant assays showed that 1 potently inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 0.02 mM, surpassing acarbose) and moderately inhibited acetylcholinesterase (IC50 = 0.29 mM); 5 competitively inhibited alkaline phosphatase (IC50 = 5.47 mM) and suppressed GluN2A-containing NMDA receptor currents (IC50 = 0.40 mM), the first such dual report for a fungal tricarboxylic acid; and 4 inhibited tyrosinase (IC50 = 0.80 mM) comparably to kojic acid. HPLC confirmed meaningful recovery under mild hydro-alcoholic extraction compatible with functional food processing. These multifunctional small molecules target carbohydrate metabolism, cognition, and skin homeostasis, supporting T. fuciformis as a source of healthy-aging food ingredients.