Effect of the Basidiomycete Poria cocos on Experimental Dermatitis and Other Inflammatory Conditions

Abstract

The hydroalcoholic extract from P. cocos was examined for oral and topical anti-inflammatory activities. It proved to be active against carrageenan, arachidonic acid, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) acute edemas, TPA chronic inflammation and oxazolone delayed hypersensitivity in mice. Two lanostane-type triterpenes were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods as dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids. Their ID₅₀ on acute TPA edema was 4.7×10^-3 and 6.8×10^-4 μmol/ear, respectively.