Hericene A

Hericene A is an orally active aromatic hericene derivative. Hericene A exhibits anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic activities, and can found in the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. Hericene A inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Hericene A promotes axonal growth, neurite branching, neurotrophic factor expression and downstream signal transduction. Hericene A can be used for the research of inflammatory and neurological diseases ^{[1] [2]}.

In Vivo, Hericene A (5 mg/kg; p.o.; daily; 31 days) increases brain neurotrophin levels, activates neurotrophic signaling pathways, enhances synaptic marker expression, and improves recognition and spatial memory in healthy male ICR mice^[2].

In Vitro, Hericene A (0.5-100 μM; 2 h pretreatment) inhibits LPS -induced secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages, with IC₅₀ values of 78.50 µM, 56.33 µM and 87.31 µM, respectively, and does not reduce cell viability at the tested concentrations^[1]. Hericene A (10 μg/mL; 24 h) potently promotes axonal growth in primary hippocampal neurons isolated from E18 Sprague Dawley rats^[2].

References:
[1]. Xie G, et al. Secondary Metabolites from Hericium erinaceus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Molecules. 2022 Mar 27;27(7):2157.
[2]. Martínez-Mármol R, et al. Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory. J Neurochem. 2023;165(6):791-808.