Three new homo-adamantanyl type natural products were derived from polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinol. Hypercohones A-C (1–3), along with five other known hypercohones (4–8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum cohaerens. The structures of 1–3 were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The inhibitory activities of these isolates against five human cancer cell lines in vitro were tested.

Background: Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GLSP) has abundant pharmacological activities. However, the difference in the hepatoprotective function of sporoderm-broken and sporoderm-unbroken Ganoderma spore powder has not been studied. This study is the first to investigate the effects of both sporoderm-damaged and sporoderm-intact GLSP on the improvement of acute alcoholic liver injury in mice and gut microbiota of mice. Methods: Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in liver tissues from mice in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, and histological analysis of liver tissue sections was performed to evaluate the liver-protecting effects of both sporoderm-broken and sporoderm-unbroken GLSP. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing of feces from the bowels of mice was performed to compare the regulatory effects of both sporoderm-broken and sporoderm-unbroken GLSP on the gut microbiota of mice. Results: Compared with those in the 50% ethanol model group (MG), sporoderm-broken GLSP significantly reduced serum AST and ALT levels (p < 0.0001) and the release of the inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α (p < 0.0001), and effectively improved the pathological state of liver cells; sporoderm-unbroken GLSP significantly reduced the ALT content (p = 0.0002) and the release of the inflammatory factors, including IL-1β (p < 0.0001), IL-18 (p = 0.0018), and TNF-α (p = 0.0005), and reduced the serum AST content, but the reduction was not significant; compared with the gut microbiota of the MG, sporoderm-broken GLSP reduced the levels of Verrucomicrobia and Escherichia_Shigella, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, and decreased the abundance levels of harmful bacteria, such as Proteobacteria and Candidatus_Saccharibacteria; sporoderm-unbroken GLSP could reduce the abundance levels of harmful bacteria, such as Verrucomicrobia and Candidatus_Saccharibacteria; and GLSP treatment alleviates the downregulation of the levels of translation, ribosome structure and biogenesis, and lipid transport and metabolism in liver-injured mice; Conclusions: GLSP can alleviate the imbalance of gut microbiota and improve liver injury, and the effect of sporoderm-broken GLSP is better.

This paper systematically reviews the taxonomic characteristics, pest control mechanisms, and field application cases of Trichoderma harzianum. As a non-toxic and environmentally friendly biocontrol fungus, T. harzianum exerts its pest control effects through various modes of action, including direct actions (such as parasitism, the production of insecticidal metabolites, and the release of antifeedant and repellent compounds) and indirect actions (such as inducing plants to enhance their resistance, attracting natural enemies of pests, and affecting insect symbiotic fungi). It can effectively control various agricultural pests, including nematodes and aphids. Moreover, the paper focuses on analyzing how modern formulation technologies (e.g., microencapsulation), synergistic strategies (in combination with biological and/or chemical agents), and genetic engineering enhance its biocontrol efficiency. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for constructing a sustainable pest management system based on T. harzianum, addressing pest control challenges within the context of increasing global food demand and supporting sustainable agricultural development.