Pachymic acid

Pachymic acid

Pachymic acid, whose term in the official IUPAC nomenclature is: 3-acetoxy-16-hydroxy-24-methylenlanost-8-en-21-oic acid is a steroid and, therefore, a lipid of natural origin.
Pachymic acid has a brute or molecular formula: C33H52O5 and is naturally present in the Poria cocos mushroom (Wolfiporia extensa (Peck) Ginns 1984), a parasitic mushroom.
This substance can be extracted from this mushroom.
The dried sclerotia of this mushroom is used in traditional Chinese medicine and pachymic acid is believed to be its main bioactive component.
Research of merit has been able to verify that pachymic acid inhibits the Epstein-Barr virus and inhibits the phospholipase A2 of snake venom. It also has anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
In vivo studies indicated that pachymic acid treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice that were transplanted with SGC-7901 cells in proportional concentration.
These results may advance the current understanding of the anticancer mechanisms of pachymic acid in the gastric intestinal tracts and its possible applications.

Warning: The information shown is not medical advice and may not be accurate. The contents are for illustrative purposes only and do not replace medical advice.