2(3H)-Dihydrofranolactone metabolites from Pleosporales sp. NUH322 as anti-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drugs.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor disease with limited treatment options. A domestic fungal extract library was screened using three assays related to the pathophysiology of ALS with the aim of developing a novel ALS drug. 2(3H)-dihydrofuranolactones 1 and 2, and five known compounds 3-7 were isolated from Pleosporales sp.

Sulfur amino acids deficiency caused by grass pea diet plays an important role in the toxicity of L-β-ODAP by increasing the oxidative stress: studies on a motor neuron cell line.

Neurolathyrism is a motor neuron disease caused by the overconsumption of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) containing L-β-ODAP. The precise mechanism to cause motor neuron degeneration has yet to be elucidated, but should agree with the epidemiological backgrounds.