Pachymic acid

Pachymic acid is a naturally occurring steroid that can be extracted from the parasitic fungus Wolfiporia extensa. The dried sclerotia of the fungus is used as a traditional [Chinese medicine], and pachymic acid is thought to be the principal bioactive component of it. Pachymic acid is a white powder that is not absorbed well by the body due the poor solubility it has in water.

Effects

Pachymic acid is known to inhibit the Epstein–Barr virus and to inhibit the snake venom phospholipase A2. It also has antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Pachymic acid anti-tumor properties are due to the cytotoxic effects it has on the tumors making them less viable and proliferate less. Various cancer cells can have their cell growth stopped and undergo apotosis, however the exact mechanism is not known.