Erinacine S, a Rare Sesterterpene from the Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus.

A new sesterterpene, erinacine S, and one cyathane diterpene xyloside, erinacine A, were isolated from the ethanol extract of the mycelia of Hericium erinaceus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis. A 30-day oral course of erinacines A and S attenuated Aβ plaque burden in the brains of 5-month-old female APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Moreover, erinacines A and S significantly increased the level of insulin-degrading enzyme in cerebral cortex.