Quantitative determination of the representative triterpenoids in the extracts of Ganoderma lucidum with different growth stages using high-performance liquid chromatography for evaluation of their 5α-reductase inhibitory properties

For quantitative determination of 5 triterpenoid constituents, including one ganoderma alcohol (ganodermatriol) and four ganoderma acids (ganoderic acid TR, DM, A, and D), in the products of Ganoderma lucidum, an analytical system was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The mobile phase was a linear gradient of 2% AcOH/H2O–CH3CN, and the elution profile was monitored at 243 and 252 nm for ganoderma alcohols and acids, respectively. This system was applied to a quantitative determination of the constituents in the different stage of G. lucidum (BMC9049 strain). The analytical results indicated that the quantity and composition of these triterpenoids differed appreciably among various stages. The stage that showed the highest concentration of ganoderic acid DM and TR also showed the strongest 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. This stage (stage 5 of 6) is thus the prime stage for harvesting this strain. Further, the contents of 5α-reductase inhibitors such as ganoderic acid TR and DM in G. lucidum extracts could be a very useful indicator to assess their 5α-reductase inhibitory activity and verify their potency.