Based on a multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS, LSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 and comprehensive morphological analyses, we describe three new species from the Melanosporum group of genus Tuber and synonymize T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum. Phylogenetically, the three newly described species, T. yunnanense, T. melanoumbilicatum and T. microexcavatum, differ significantly in genetic distance from any previously known species. Morphologically, T. yunnanense is distinctly different from its closest phylogenetically related species, T. longispinosum, due to its long shuttle-shape spores (average the ratio of spore length to spore width for all spores (Qm) = 1.74). Tuber melanoumbilicatum differs from the other species in having a cavity and long shuttle-shaped spores (Qm = 1.65). Although T. microexcavatum sampled ascomata have relatively low maturity, they can be distinguished from its closely related species T. pseudobrumale by the ascomata size, surface warts, and spore number per asci; additionally, phylogenetic analysis supports it as a new species. In addition, molecular analysis from 22 newly collected specimens and Genebank data indicate that T. pseudobrumale and T. melanoexcavatum are clustered into a single well-supported clade (Bootstrap (BS) = 100, posterior probabilities (PP) = 1.0); and morphological characteristics do not differ. Therefore, based on the above evidence and publication dates, we conclude that T. melanoexcavatum is a synonym of T. pseudobrumale. By taking into account current knowledge and combining the molecular, multigene phylogenetic clade arrangement and morphological data, we propose that the Melanosporum group should be divided into four subgroups. Diagnostic morphological features and an identification key of all known species in the Melanosporum group are also included. Finally, we also provide some additions to the knowledge of the characterization of T. pseudobrumale, T. variabilisporum, and T. pseudohimalayense included in subgroup 1 of the Melanosporum group.

Background: Solar dermatitis (SD) is an inflammatory skin disease caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Gastrodia elata (GE) is a medicinal and edible plant with broad pharmacological activities; however, the polarity distribution of its active components and their specific mechanisms of action in SD remain incompletely understood. Methods: Different polarity fractions of GE-petroleum ether extract (PEE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE), and n-butanol extract (NBAE) were prepared and evaluated in a UVB-induced SD mouse model. We integrated metabolomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and molecular biology techniques to identify key active ingredients and regulatory mechanisms. Results: The EAE group significantly ameliorated epidermal thickening and collagen damage in SD mice. Mechanistically, EAE and its active component luteolin (LUT) likely suppressed abnormal activation of the JUN pathway (binding energy: −9.1 kcal/mol), leading to downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha and inerleukin-1 beta. Conclusions: The EAE fraction alleviates SD through multi-component, multitarget synergistic effects, with LUT as a core bioactive component that inhibits the JUN pathway to mitigate skin inflammation and oxidative damage. EAE also accelerated SD recovery by modulating critical metabolic pathways, including arginine biosynthesis and terpenoid backbone biosynthesis. These findings identify EAE and LUT as promising candidate therapeutics for SD.

Tuber is a rare edible and medicinal fungus with a global distribution. The Macrosporum lineage within Tuber is a relatively small and infrequent clade, which has been receiving increasing attention due to the presence of an endangered species, T. gigantosporum. However, the species diversity, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution, and ecological characteristics of the Macrosporum group remain poorly understood. Through extensive sampling and combining the accurate and available global specimen and mycorrhizal data, 19 Tuber specimens from Southwest China were studied based on morphology, molecular systematics, and ecology. The specimens were identified as T. calosporum, T. glabrum, and T. sinomacrosporum within the Macrosporum group, with detailed descriptions provided, particularly supplementing the taxonomic features of T. glabrum. A classification key for the Macrosporum group species is also provided. The geographic distribution of specimens and diverse hosts suggest that the Macrosporum clade displays wider ecological adaptability. This study is important to better understand the diversity and conservation measures of Tuber resources throughout the world.