Based on morphological, chemical, and phylogenetic analyses, a new species of the lichenized fungal genus Synarthonia, Synarthonia hainanensis, is described. This species is currently known only from Hainan Province. Synarthonia hainanensis is characterized by whitish-green thallus, short lirelliform to elongate, reddish-brown to black and epruinose ascomata, I+ reddish-purple hymenium, K/I- blue distinct ocular chamber in the asci, hyaline, 4-septate, and oblong-ovoid ascospores with the size of 18-24.5 × 6.5-9.5 µm. Molecular data, detailed taxonomic description, and images illustrating the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the new species are provided. A discussion on the differences between the new species and its similar species is also included. In addition, a key to 25 species of this genus is presented herein.

This study primarily investigates the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory components in the fermentation product of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata FL7 from Huperzia serrata. Using silica gel column chromatography, preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (preparative HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 19 monomeric compounds were isolated and identified. These include mannitol (1), uracil (2), alternariol monomethyl ether (3), cerevisterol (4), 1-methyl 5-acetamidopentanoate (5), cyclo (L-Pro-L-Pro) (6), stigmasterol (7), xanthine (8), 2(3H)-benzothiazolethione (9), catechol (10), 1-methyl β-D-glucopyranoside (11), cycol (L-Pro-L-Tyr) (12), cycol (L-Pro-L-Val) (13), alteamide (14), (4S,5S)-5-[(S)-sec-butyl]-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one (15), allahabadolactones A (16), Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (17), methyl 4-acetamidobutanoate (18) and 2-phenylethyl α-D-glucopyranoside (19). Compound 3 was found to exhibit moderate AChE inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of (15.8±0.13) µmol/L, as determined using the modified Ellman method. Molecular docking simulations suggest that serine at position 122 of AChE may be its binding target. Additionally, compounds 5, 15, and 18 are reported as newly identified natural products, and the structure of compound 14 is revised. This study provides reference for the development and utilization of microbial resources from Huperzia serrata.

To evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes to nine antifungal agents, 153 dermatophyte strains deposited in the Dermatological and Mycological Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between 2010 and 2023 were identified by using morphological and molecular biological methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of terbinafine, amorolfine, luliconazole, amphotericin B, ciclopirox, itraconazole, voriconazole, griseofulvin, and fluconazole were determined by the microdilution method. Nine species of dermatophytes were identified, including 59 strains of Trichophyton rubrum (39%), 17 strains of T. interdigitale (11%), 15 strains of T. mentagrophytes (10%), 9 strains of T. tonsurans (6%), 8 strains of T. verrucosum (5%), 9 strains of T. violaceum (6%), 3 strains of T. schoenleinii (2%), 19 strains of Microsporum canis (12%), and 14 strains of M. ferrugineum (9%). In vitro susceptibility test revealed that luliconazole exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.000 5 to 0.004 μg/mL. Terbinafine (MIC: 0.000 125-0.25 μg/mL) itraconazole (MIC: 0.004-1 μg/mL), voriconazole (MIC: 0.004-0.5 μg/mL), amorolfine (MIC: 0.004-1 μg/mL), and ciclopirox (MIC: 0.063-4 μg/mL) also showed potent activity. Griseofulvin (MIC: 0.016-32 μg/mL) and amphotericin B (MIC: 0.032-16 μg/mL) displayed relatively weak antifungal effects. Fluconazole showed the poorest activity, with MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 64 μg/mL; notably, two strains of Microsporum ferrugineum and one strain of Trichophyton violaceum exhibited fluconazole MICs >64 μg/mL. Among all tested antifungal agents, luliconazole and terbinafine demonstrated the strongest in vitro activity against dermatophytes, whereas fluconazole and amphotericin B showed the weakest efficacy, with the emergence of resistant isolates.

A distinctive medicinal fungus-insect complex formed by Ophiocordyceps gracilis on the larvae of Ahamus altaicola in the Altai Mountains of Xinjiang, China, has demonstrated considerable potential in immunomodulation, antioxidant, antitumor, and antibacterial activities due to its richness of bioactive compounds, such as nucleosides, polysaccharides, cordycepic acid, and amino acids. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on O. gracilis, covering its taxonomy and nomenclature, resource distribution and biological characteristics, chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and artificial cultivation. Key current challenges are proposed including evaluation of natural distribution and resources, pharmaceutical activities, artificial cultivation, and in vivo efficacy and clinical trials. Future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the need to enhance natural resource ecology and conservation, elucidation of the mechanisms of fungus-host interaction, and establishment of a multi-dimensional quality control system. This review aims at providing a scientific framework to guide the sustainable utilization and advanced development of this valuable medicinal resource.

The study was designed to investigate the improvement effect and molecular mechanism of Sparassis latifolia polysaccharide (SLPs) on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle of mice with glucose metabolism disorder induced by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ). The results showed that SLPs intervention could significantly reduce the impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and increase skeletal muscle glycogen content and improve the morphological damage of skeletal muscle caused by glucose metabolism disorder. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 965 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO annotation and enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in tissue development, animal organ morphogenesis, small molecule metabolism, myofibril, glycogen binding, and organic acid binding. The enrichment analysis of KEGG further revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in PI3k/Akt signal pathway, AGE-RAGE signal pathway related to diabetic complications, insulin resistance, AMPK signal pathway and other signal pathways. In addition, SLPs could regulate the expression of genes and proteins related to AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signal pathway and the activities of key enzymes in skeletal muscle of mice to improve glucose metabolism disorder in skeletal muscle, protect skeletal muscle damage, and maintain the metabolic homeostasis of the body. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of SLPs as functional food ingredients.

In order to explore the new application and mechanism of action of Cordyceps chanhua nucleoside extracts on solar dermatitis, the targets of C. chanhua nucleoside components treating solar dermatitis were screened by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The results of network pharmacology analysis were verified by mouse animal experiments. The results showed that thymine, adenine, N⁶-(2 hydroxyethyl) adenosine, inosine and adenosine were the main active nucleoside components of C. chanhua in the treatment of solar dermatitis, and TNF, IL1β, AKT1, IL6, INS, IFNG, EGFR, PTGS2, CTNNB1, and MAPK1 were the core targets of C. chanhua nucleoside components. Enrichment analysis showed that PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK and IL-17 signaling pathways were the major biomechanistic pathways of C. chanhua nucleoside components for the treatment of solar dermatitis. Molecular docking analysis showed that there was a strong binding affinity between the main active components of C. chanhua nucleoside components and the core targets. Animal experiments verified that dermal administration of C. chanhua increased collagen content and SOD antioxidant enzyme activity, and decreased PTGS2 content and levels of TNF-ɑ, IL-1β, and IL-17 inflammatory factors in mouse skin tissues. The results of Western blotting showed that C. chanhua nucleoside extracts inhibited the release of p38 MAPK and MMP9, and the molecular mechanism might be related to the MAPK signaling pathway. This study provides a new basis for the development of natural drugs against solar dermatitis.

Currently, research on regional genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Hericium erinaceus remains relatively scarce. Additionally, the analysis of the genetic background of germplasm resources has largely relied on fragmented molecular markers, lacking a comprehensive landscape of genome-wide variations, and thereby hindering the progress of genetic improvement. In this study, whole-genome resequencing of 35 H. erinaceus germplasm resources from Jilin Province was performed. Based on variation data such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions/deletions (InDels), their genetic structure, evolutionary relationships, and diversity characteristics were systematically analyzed. Population genetic structure analysis revealed that the optimal number of clusters was K=2, with significant genetic isolation between the cultivated strains and wild populations (Fst=0.079 8-0.090 4), indicating that artificial selection has led to a significant deviation in the genomic genetic background of the cultivated populations from wild populations. Genetic distance and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses showed low genetic differentiation among wild populations (Fst=0.022 5- 0.030 5) with an LD decay distance of 6-15 kb (r²<0.3), reflecting a coexistence pattern of geographical isolation and gene flow. Gene flow simulation confirmed weak gene flow to the cultivated strains only from the wild populations of Songshan Town and Changbai Mountain, with no genetic contribution from the wild populations of Huangsongdian Town and Manjiang Town. Principal component analysis (PCA) validated the geographical clustering of strains (the first three principal components explained 6.81%, 3.35%, and 3.31% of the genetic variation, respectively) and simultaneously revealed that artificial selection had led to abnormal genomic genetic characteristics in the cultivated strains. This study provides crucial genomic data support for the precise conservation and targeted genetic improvement of H. erinaceus germplasm resources. By deciphering genetic patterns, it aids in broadening the genetic basis of cultivated populations and promotes sustainable industrial development.

‘Huzhen No.6’ was a new white strain of Hypsizygus marmoreus bred by hybridization from protoplast monokaryon of strain ‘1007’ and spore monokaryon of strain ‘1306’. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis showed that it was distinctive in comparison with the parents. ‘Huzhen No.6’ exhibits high yield and short cultivation cycle, meeting factory production requirements. ‘Huzhen 11’ is a new grey strain of H. marmoreus developed through single-spore self-crossing of parental strain HM22. SSR analysis verified that it had unique genetic profile as compared with the parent. This strain displays uniform morphology, more fruiting and high yield. ‘Huzhen 17’ is a new grey strain of H. marmoreus bred by hybridization from parent HM21 by multiple spore self-cross-breeding. Compared with its parents, ‘Huzhen 17’ showed more fruiting and elongated stipes. These three varieties (‘Huzhen No.6’, ‘Huzhen 11’ and ‘Huzhen 17’) are unambiguously distinguished from commercial cultivars through verification of SSR fingerprinting profiles.

Based on morphological, chemical and molecular phylogenetic methods, a taxonomical study on the lichen family Ramalinaceae in Anhui Province has been carried out. Bacidia areolata, Bacidia suffusa, Biatora appalachensis and Ramalina sphaerophora are new to China. Bacidia schweinitzii, Biatora printzenii, Phyllopsora porphyromelaena and Ramalina conduplicans are found from Anhui Province for the first time. The systematic positions of the above species are detailed, and the species new to China are morphologically and anatomically described.

The effects of temperature, pH, salt ions, and sugar solutions on the rheological properties of crude polysaccharide water extract (Naematelia sinensis polysaccharides-water extract, NAP-WE) from Naematelia sinensis were systematically investigated. Through static and dynamic rheological tests, changes in apparent viscosity, storage modulus (G′), and loss modulus (G″) of NAP-WE solutions under different conditions were analyzed. The results showed that NAP-WE exhibited shear-thinning behavior, and variations in temperature, salt ions, pH, and sugar solutions altered its apparent viscosity and gel characteristics. Within the 4-60 ℃ range, the apparent viscosity of 6.0% NAP-WE solution slightly decreased with rising temperature, and its weak-gel properties weakened in high-frequency regions, though it remained non-fluid. Acidic/alkaline environments reduced apparent viscosity and gel strength, but the consistency coefficient (k) and flow behavior index (n) showed minimal changes, confirming its stability within pH 3-9. Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺ all reduced viscosity and gel strength, with efficacy ranking Na⁺>Ca²⁺>K⁺; excessive Na⁺ over-shielded charges, altering polysaccharide chain aggregation and loosening the network structure. Glucose/sucrose solutions (4%-8%) decreased apparent viscosity, with sucrose exhibiting stronger effects. Low sugar concentrations (≤4%) minimally impacted gel properties, preserving weak-gel characteristics. In summary, NAP-WE’s rheological behavior is significantly regulated by environmental factors, and its weak-gel properties remain most stable under low temperature, neutral pH, low ion concentration, and low sugar content. The results provide a theoretical basis for applications of NAP-WE in food and pharmaceuticals.