New insights into the chemistry and anticancer activity of Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis

Abstract

Ophiocordyceps xuefengensis (O. xuefengensis), the sister taxon of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (O. sinensis), is consumed as a “tonic food” due to its health benefits. However, little is known regarding the chemistry and bioactivity of O. xuefengensis. In this study, we characterized 80 indole-based alkaloids in the ethyl acetate fraction of O. xuefengensis by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–Q–TOF–MS/MS), of which 54 indole-based alkaloids were identified as possibly new compounds. Furthermore, 29 of these compounds were established as potential anti-cancer compounds by ligand fishing combined with HPLC–Q–TOF–MS/MS. Moreover, molecular docking identified the NH- and OH- groups of these compounds as the key active groups. The present study has expanded the knowledge on the characteristic indole-based alkaloids and anti-cancer activity of O. xuefengensis.