data + articles · 3 listed
newest 2021spec sheet11 rows
Corallocin A is an isoindolinone natural product first isolated from the coral tooth mushroom Hericium coralloides and subsequently found in Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies. It induces both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in human astrocytes, making it one of the dual-neurotrophin inducers of the Hericium genus. Its ability to raise BDNF as well as NGF distinguishes it from the classic NGF-focused hericenones and links it to memory-relevant signaling.
- Induces both NGF and BDNF in cell models
- Raises the synaptic marker synaptophysin
- Promotes neurite outgrowth in neuronal cells
- Links Lion's Mane to memory-relevant BDNF/TrkB signaling
- Structurally distinct isoindolinone chemotype
- Present in edible Hericium fruiting bodies
- Present at low levels in products
- Research-grade with no established dosing
Overview
Corallocin A is an isoindolinone isolated together with corallocins B and C from the mushroom Hericium coralloides, a close relative of Lion's Mane. All three corallocins induced nerve growth factor and/or brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in human 1321N1 astrocytes, and corallocin A specifically induced neurotrophin expression, establishing the corallocins as a neurotrophic chemotype within the genus [1].
Corallocin A was later confirmed in the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus itself, isolated alongside the related isoindolinones hericerin, isohericerinol A and N-de-phenylethyl isohericerin. In C6 glioma cells these compounds increased NGF production, and the resulting conditioned medium promoted neurite outgrowth in N2a neuronal cells, with Western blotting confirming raised NGF, BDNF and the synaptic marker synaptophysin. Corallocin A ranked among the more active inducers in this panel [2]. The recurring finding that Hericium isoindolinones drive BDNF as well as NGF is significant, because BDNF and its TrkB receptor are central to hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory [3].
Corallocin A therefore represents a structurally distinct, dual-neurotrophin arm of Lion's Mane pharmacology, complementing the cyathane erinacines and the aromatic-ester hericenones. Evidence is preclinical and cell-based, and the compound is not yet a defined consumer ingredient, but it is frequently cited to explain the BDNF-linked, memory-relevant activity of Hericium fruiting bodies.
- Corallocin A was first found in the coral tooth mushroom before being confirmed in Lion's Mane itself.
- Unlike the classic hericenones, it raises BDNF as well as NGF, tying it to the memory-linked TrkB pathway.
- It is an isoindolinone, a different chemical class from both the cyathane erinacines and the aromatic-ester hericenones.
Mechanism
Corallocin A is an isoindolinone that induces expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in astrocytes and glioma cells. The secreted neurotrophins act on TrkA and receptors, driving downstream MAPK/ERK and / signaling to , which promotes neurite outgrowth and raises synaptophysin, a marker of formation. Its induction of in particular links it to hippocampal plasticity.
receptor fingerprint
Nerve growth factor expressionInduces in astrocytes and glioma cells
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor ()Induces expression
Synaptophysin / neurite outgrowthRaises synaptic marker and promotes outgrowth in N2a cells
Dosingtypical ranges, not medical advice
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Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Corallocin A occurs in edible Hericium fruiting bodies consumed as food and supplements, so dietary exposure carries the favorable tolerability of the mushroom, but no dedicated toxicology exists for the purified compound and it remains research-grade. Its use in isolation, and in pregnancy or lactation, is uncharacterized.
History
Corallocins A through C were described in 2016 by a German group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research from the mushroom Hericium coralloides, named for that source. In 2020 a Korean team isolated corallocin A from Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies alongside related isoindolinones, confirming its presence in Lion's Mane and characterizing its neurotrophic activity.
Reputation
Corallocin A is appreciated among natural-product and neurotrophic researchers for demonstrating that Hericium isoindolinones can raise BDNF, broadening the mechanistic picture of Lion's Mane beyond NGF. It is a research-stage compound with little consumer visibility but growing citation as a memory-relevant chemotype.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Fascinating as the likely reason lion's mane touches BDNF and not just NGF, but it is a research isolate present at trace levels, with no human data and no dose. Eat the mushroom or take a whole extract; there is nothing here to buy.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2016first citedCorallocins A-C, Nerve Growth and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inducing Metabolites from t…
- 2021most recentNeurotrophic isoindolinones from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus
- 1.Corallocins A-C, Nerve Growth and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inducing Metabolites from the Mushroom Hericium coralloides
- 2.Neurotrophic isoindolinones from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus
- 3.Two New Cyathane Diterpenoids from Mycelial Cultures of the Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus and the Rare Species Hericium flagellum
3 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What makes corallocin A notable?
It induces BDNF as well as NGF, connecting Lion's Mane to the memory-linked TrkB pathway, whereas the classic hericenones focus on NGF.
Where does corallocin A come from?
It was first isolated from the coral tooth mushroom Hericium coralloides and later confirmed in Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies.
Is it available to buy?
Not on its own. It is a minor constituent of Hericium fruiting bodies and a research isolate.
What chemical family is it?
It is an isoindolinone, distinct from the cyathane erinacines and the aromatic-ester hericenones, giving Lion's Mane a third neurotrophic chemotype.
What pairs well with corallocin A?
It fits within whole Lion's Mane extract and pairs with cholinergic precursors and with agents that support BDNF-driven plasticity.
Limitations of the evidence
- No human safety or efficacy data for the isolate
- Uncharacterized in pregnancy and lactation
Adverse effects
- Present at low levels in products
- Research-grade with no established dosing