Characterization and interplay of bacteriocin and exopolysaccharide-mediated silver nanoparticles as an antibacterial agent

Metallic nanoparticles have a substantial scientific interest because of their distinctive physicochemical and antimicrobial properties and the emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens could unlock the potential of nanoparticles to combat infectious diseases. The aim of the current study is to enhance the antibacterial potential of purified bacteriocin by combining bacteriocin and antibacterial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Hence, the interaction of natural antimicrobial compounds and antibacterial nanoparticles can be used as a potential tool for combating infectious diseases. In this study, a green, simple and effective approach is used to synthesize antibacterial AgNPs using fungal exopolysaccharide as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The AgNPs were characterized by spectroscopic analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Furthermore, the synergistic effect of bacteriocin-AgNPs was determined against pathogenic strains. The histogram of AgNPs indicated well-dispersed, stabilized and negatively charged particles with variable size distribution. The combination of bacteriocin with nanoparticles found to be more effective due to broad antibacterial potential with possibly lower doses. The current study is imperative to provide an alternative for the chemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles. It showed environmental friendly and cost effective green synthesis of antibacterial nanoparticles.

Effect of ultrasound on size, morphology, stability and antioxidant activity of selenium nanoparticles dispersed by a hyperbranched polysaccharide from Lignosus rhinocerotis

The differences between ultrasonic and non-ultrasonic approaches in synthesizing Lignosus rhinocerotis polysaccharide-selenium nanoparticles (LRP-SeNPs) were compared in terms of size, morphology, stability and antioxidant activity by UV-VIS, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) with high resolution TEM. Results indicated that the SeNPs were associated with the LRP macromolecules in a physical adsorption pattern without breaking chemical bonds, and the ultrasonic treatment reduced the size of SeNPs, narrowed the size distribution as well as improved the stability. Due to the LRP compact coil structure loosed under ultrasonic cavitation, the SeNPs could be easily diffused into the LRP internal branches instead of gathering on the LRP surface and were well dispersed and eventually stabilized throughout the extended branches. After ultrasound treatment, the SeNPs had a minimum average diameter of ∼50 nm and the LRP-SeNPs could remain homogeneous and translucent for 16 days within 200 nm size. Furthermore, the ultrasound-treated LRP-SeNPs exhibited higher DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging abilities than those untreated with ultrasound. This difference may be attributed to the reason that ultrasound can reduce the SeNPs size and increase the specific surface area, which provides sufficient active sites to react with the free radicals and suppress the oxidizing reactions. The integrated results demonstrated that ultrasound played a crucial role in the dispersion, size control, stabilization and antioxidant activity of SeNPs.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharide: a review of antitumor and other biological activity studies in China

Grifola frondosa, a species of Basidiomycotina, is an edible medicinal mushroom with a large fruiting body characterized by overlapping caps. The β-glucan is the major biologically active component in G. frondosa polysaccharide (GFP) or D-fraction, which has been studied extensively for nearly 30 years. GFP was approved as an adjunctive therapeutic drug in China for treating cancers in 2010. In this article, based on the search results of Chinese VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases, 105 independent animal studies were summarized. The chemical structure, the antitumor, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, and antiviral activities and molecular mechanisms of GFP are reviewed and discussed.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Tremella Polysaccharides against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in Mice

Polysaccharides are closely associated with immune regulation, but there are different polysaccharide effects from different sources. In this study, the aim was to investigate the effect of tremella polysaccharides (TP) in cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficient mice. We observed the thymus and spleen index, liver and spleen pathological changes, and the levels of IL-2, IL-12, INF-γ, TGF-β and Ig G in serum, and we also noted the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-12 and TGF-β in liver and spleen. Besides, we also measured the best effects of different doses of TP (Low-TP was 20 mg/kg·BW, Middle-TP was 40 mg/kg·BW, and High-TP was 80 mg/kg·BW) on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. The results were remarkable, and suggested that TP had a significant effect for enhancing immunity in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression, and the immune enhancement of High-TP had the best results in TP-treated mice. It could significantly increase the thymus and spleen index, alleviate pathological features of immunosuppression such as the arrangement of liver sinusoid and hepatic plates was disordered, massive inflammatory cells infiltrated and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes in liver, and red pulp and white pulp were intermixed, splenic corpuscles demolished and disappeared, splenic sinusoid extended, and lymphocytes of spleen were reduced in spleen. Besides, it could also up-regulate serum levels of IL-2, IL-12, INF-γ and Ig G, reduce the level of TGF-β in serum, markedly promote mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-12 in liver and spleen, and suppress mRNA expression of TGF-β. Above all, TP showed preventive effect for cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice.

Purification, characterization and anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides extracted from wild Russula griseocarnosa

The anti-tumor activity of a novel polysaccharide, PRG1-1, obtained from Russula griseocarnosa sporocarp was investigated in this paper. PRG1-1 has a molecular weight of 630kDa and was extracted and purified using DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography from crude polysaccharide extract of R. griseocarnosa sporocarp. PRG1-1 was composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose and fructose, in a molar ratio of 66.5:29.2:3.17: 0.663:0.447, respectively. Purified PRG1-1 significantly reduced cell viability, increased the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enhanced the apoptotic rate in HeLa and SiHa cells. Furthermore, after 24h of PRG1-1 exposure the expression levels of cleaved PARP and caspase-3 were increased and mitochondrial cytochrome c was induced to release to the cytosol. Collectively, our results suggested that the cytotoxicity effects of PRG1-1 on human cervical carcinoma are associated with the apoptotic pathway. These data indicate the promising potential of bioactive PRG1-1 as natural agent to inhibit tumor cell proliferation in the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in precision-cut carp liver slices

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro in common carp. Precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs), which closely resemble the organ from which they are derived, were employed as an in vitro model system. GLPS (0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 mg/ml) was added to PCLS culture system before the exposure to 12 mM CCl₄. The supernatants and slices were collected to detect molecular and biochemical responses to CCl₄ and PCLS treatments. The levels of CYP1A, CYP3A, and CYP2E1 were measured by ELISA; the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS were determined by RT-PCR; and the relative protein expressions of c-Rel and p65 were analyzed by western blotting. Results showed that GLPS inhibited the elevations of the marker enzymes (GOT, GPT, LDH) and MDA induced by CCl₄; it also enhanced the suppressed activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, T-AOC). The treatment with GLPS resulted in significant downregulation of NF-κB and inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels and significant decreases in the hepatic protein levels of CYP1A, CYP3A, and CYP2E1. These results suggest that GLPS can protect CCl₄-induced PCLS injury through inhibiting lipid peroxidation, elevating antioxidant enzyme activity, and suppressing immune inflammatory response.

Antitumorpharmacological mechanism of the oral liquid of Poriacocos polysaccharide

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The liquid oral formulation of Poria cocos polysaccharides is composed of polysaccharides of Lentinusedodes, Ganodermalucidum and Poria cocos(1:1:2), which are all fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides extracted from these fungi have been reported to exhibit an antitumor effect by modulating the immune system.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to clarify the antitumor mechanism of an orally administered liquid containing Poriacocos and to further provide clinical guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the effects of an orally administered liquid containing Poriacocos polysaccharides on the solid tumors formed from sarcoma 180 cells in mice were evaluated. The protein expression of Bcl-2, caspase-3, and caspase-9in the thymus, spleen and liver tissues in the mice was determined by Western blot analysis. In addition, hematoxylin-eosin（H&E）staining and immunohistochemistry were performed on thymus, spleen and liver tissue and the positive staining rate was calculated for the three protein expression.

RESULTS

The liquid oral formulation of Poriacocos polysaccharides reduced Bcl-2 protein levels and increased caspase-3 and -9 protein levels in sarcoma 180 cells.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism underlying the antitumor effects of the oral liquid formulation of Poriacocos polysaccharides involved inhibition of Bcl-2 expression and activation of caspase-9 expression in sarcoma 180 cells. Furthermore, the downstream caspase-3 promoter cascade was activated and cell apoptosis was activated in sarcoma 180 cells.

A novel pH-sensitive carrier for the delivery of antitumor drugs: histidine-modified auricularia auricular polysaccharide nano-micelles

The study was aimed to design a novel pH-sensitive carrier to deliver antitumor drugs to increase treatment efficiency. Histidine (His)was used to modify auricularia auricular polysaccharide (AAP) by esterification. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry was developed to characterize the His-AAP carrier and the His-AAP Paclitaxel (PTX) micelles were prepared by self-assembled organic solvent evaporation. The formation of His-AAP PTX micelles was confirmed by dynamic light-scattering, transmission electron microscopy and high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the His-AAP PTX micelles possessed a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 157.2 nm and an 80.3% PTX encapsulation efficiency. In vitro release at pH 7.4, 6.5, 5.0 reached 70%, 71%, and 88%, respectively. The cell viability assay and confocal laser scanning microscope were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and cell uptake of the His-AAP PTX micelles. Compared with Taxol, the IC50 of the His-AAP PTX micelles were lower after incubating for 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h (0.216 versus 0.199, 0.065 versus 0.060, and 0.023 versus 0.005, respectively). In a test of tumor-bearing mice, the His-AAP PTX micelles significantly inhibited tumor growth. These results showed that His-AAP PTX micelles are a highly promising therapeutic system for anticancer therapy.

The Protective Effects of Polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill Against Cadmium-Induced Oxidant Stress and Inflammatory Damage in Chicken Livers

This study aimed to assess the protective roles of polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill (ABP) against cadmium (Cd)-induced damage in chicken livers. A total of 80 Hy-Line laying chickens (7 days old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20). Group I (control) was fed with a basic diet and 0.2 ml saline per day, group II (Cd-treated group) was fed with a basic diet containing 140 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and 0.2 ml saline per day, group III (Cd + ABP-treated group) was fed with a basic diet containing 140 mg/kg CdCl₂ and 0.2-ml ABP solution (30 mg/ml) per day via oral gavage, and group IV (ABP-treated group) was fed with 0.2-ml ABP solution (30 mg/ml) per day via oral gavage. The contents of Cd and malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of inflammatory cytokines and heat shock proteins (HSPs), the protein levels of HSPs, and the histopathological changes of livers were evaluated on days 20, 40, and 60. The results showed that Cd exposure resulted in Cd accumulating in livers and inhibiting the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH-PX). Cd exposure caused histopathological damage and increased the MDA content, the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and HSPs (HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) and the protein levels of HSPs (HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90). ABP supplementation during dietary exposure to Cd reduced the histopathological damage and decreased the contents of Cd and MDA and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and HSPs and improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The results indicated that ABP could partly ameliorate the toxic effects of Cd on chicken livers.

A Bacteroidetes locus dedicated to fungal 1,6-β-glucan degradation: Unique substrate conformation drives specificity of the key endo-1,6-β-glucanase

Glycans are major nutrients available to the human gut microbiota. The Bacteroides are generalist glycan degraders, and this function is mediated largely by polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs). The genomes of several Bacteroides species contain a PUL, PUL1,6-β-glucan, that was predicted to target mixed linked plant 1,3;1,4-β-glucans. To test this hypothesis we characterized the proteins encoded by this locus in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a member of the human gut microbiota. We show here that PUL1,6-β-glucan does not orchestrate the degradation of a plant polysaccharide but targets a fungal cell wall glycan, 1,6-β-glucan, which is a growth substrate for the bacterium. The locus is up-regulated by 1,6-β-glucan and encodes two enzymes, a surface endo-1,6-β-glucanase, BT3312, and a periplasmic β-glucosidase that targets primarily 1,6-β-glucans. The non-catalytic proteins encoded by PUL1,6-β-glucan target 1,6-β-glucans and comprise a surface glycan-binding protein and a SusD homologue that delivers glycans to the outer membrane transporter. We identified the central role of the endo-1,6-β-glucanase in 1,6-β-glucan depolymerization by deleting bt3312, which prevented the growth of B. thetaiotaomicron on 1,6-β-glucan. The crystal structure of BT3312 in complex with β-glucosyl-1,6-deoxynojirimycin revealed a TIM barrel catalytic domain that contains a deep substrate-binding cleft tailored to accommodate the hook-like structure adopted by 1,6-β-glucan. Specificity is driven by the complementarity of the enzyme active site cleft and the conformation of the substrate. We also noted that PUL1,6-β-glucan is syntenic to many PULs from other Bacteroidetes, suggesting that utilization of yeast and fungal cell wall 1,6-β-glucans is a widespread adaptation within the human microbiota.

Preclinical and clinical studies of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide as an immunotherapeutic in China

Conventional cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In recent years, immunotherapy in cancer care has been gaining momentum. Interestingly, an immunotherapeutic regime that employs polysaccharopeptide (PSP), a unique peptide-containing polysaccharide isolated from Coriolus versicolor, has already become a routine clinical practice in Japan since 1977 and in China since 1987. Coriolus versicolor is one of the most well-known traditional food and medicinal mushrooms in China for thousands of years. Medically used PSP is mostly obtained from the extraction of cultured Coriolus versicolor mycelia where β-glucan is the major component. PSP has proven beneficial to survival and quality of life not only for cancer patients but also for patients with hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, and other chronic diseases. In this article, the results of PSP-related preclinical and clinical studies conducted in China from over 40 independent studies during the past 40 years based on searching the Chinese VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases are presented. Its immunomodulatory and anti-tumor molecular mechanisms are also summarized. PSP activates immune cells, increases the expressions of cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6), histamine, and prostaglandin E, enhances dendritic and T-cell infiltration into tumors, and ameliorates the adverse events associated with chemotherapy. The clinical studies support PSP being a potential immunotherapeutic. However, the complicated chemical and multiple pharmacological properties of PSP need to be investigated further.

Crystallization of a fungal lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase expressed from glycoengineered Pichia pastoris for X-ray and neutron diffraction

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are carbohydrate-disrupting enzymes secreted by bacteria and fungi that break glycosidic bonds via an oxidative mechanism. Fungal LPMOs typically act on cellulose and can enhance the efficiency of cellulose-hydrolyzing enzymes that release soluble sugars for bioethanol production or other industrial uses. The enzyme PMO-2 from Neurospora crassa (NcPMO-2) was heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris to facilitate crystallographic studies of the fungal LPMO mechanism. Diffraction resolution and crystal morphology were improved by expressing NcPMO-2 from a glycoengineered strain of P. pastoris and by the use of crystal seeding methods, respectively. These improvements resulted in high-resolution (1.20 Å) X-ray diffraction data collection at 100 K and the production of a large NcPMO-2 crystal suitable for room-temperature neutron diffraction data collection to 2.12 Å resolution.

Formation and Physiochemical Properties of Silver Nanoparticles with Various Exopolysaccharides of a Medicinal Fungus in Aqueous Solution

Natural polysaccharides are the most widely used biopolymers for green synthesis of eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In a previous study, a high molecular weight (MW) fraction of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by a medicinal fungus Cs-HK1 has been shown useful for green and facile synthesis of AgNPs in water. This study was to further evaluate the effects of molecular properties of EPS on the formation, stability and properties of AgNPs with different EPS fractions at various pH conditions. Three EPS fractions (P_0.5, P_2.0 and P_5.0: MW high to low and protein content low to high) were reacted with silver nitrate at various pH 3.0-8.0 in water. The most favorable pH range was 5.5-8.0 for the formation and stable dispersion of AgNPs. At a given pH, the maximum amount of AgNPs was produced with P_5.0, and the minimum with P_0.5. The shape, size and physiochemical properties of AgNPs were strongly affected by the molecular characteristics of EPS (MW and conformation). The results may be helpful for understanding the factors and mechanisms for formation of stable AgNPs with natural polysaccharides and the interactions between AgNPs and the polysaccharide hydrocolloids in water.

Structure Elucidation of a Polysaccharide from Umbilicaria esculenta and Its Immunostimulatory Activity

Umbilicaria esculenta has been used as a tonic food in China for several centuries owing to its pleasant flavor and health benefits. In this study, a water soluble polysaccharide, which we designated as UP2, with an average molecular weight of 3.33 × 105 Da, was isolated from U. esculenta cultivated in the Huangshan Mountain, by consecutive hot water extraction and anion-exchange chromatography. Gas chromatography analysis indicated that UP2 contained three kinds of monosaccharides, including mannose, glucose, and galactose at a molar ratio of 1.7:1.0:1.2. Linkage analysis of UP2 revealed the presence of (1 → 6)-linked glucosyl, (1 → 3,6)-linked glucosyl, t-linked galactosyl, (1 → 6)-linked galactosyl and (1 → 6)-linked mannosyl at a molar ratio of 0.7:4.6:4.1:2.2:9.1. Structural analysis determined that UP2 possessed a backbone consisting of (1 → 6)-linked β-D-glucopyranosyl and (1 → 6)-linked α-D-mannopyranosyl residues, which substituted at the O-3 position of (1 → 6)-linked β-D-glucopyranosyl residues by branches of (1 → 6)-linked α-D-galactopyranosyl and 1-linked β-D-galactopyranosyl residues. Immunostimulatory activity analysis showed that UP2 could stimulate the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and all the samples (20-500 μg/mL) were found to enhance nitric oxide production. The highest phagocytic activity of UP2 was observed at 200 μg/mL. Thus, UP2 may be a potential source of biological and pharmacological agents.

Improved antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity of polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme by degradation

An efficient method for the degradation of polysaccharides isolated from Sargassum fusiforme (PSF) was developed by using ascorbic acid in combination with H2O2. The degradation conditions were optimized using a Box-Behnken response surface design (BBRS). The optimum conditions were established as: concentration of ascorbic acid (VC) and H2O2 17.26mM, degradation temperature 51°C and degradation time 1.6h. The DPPH radical scavenging rate of the degraded polysaccharides from S. fusiforme (DPSF) obtained under the optimal conditions was determined to be 75.22±0.02%, which was well matched with the value (75.21%) predicted by the BBRS model. In vitro antioxidant activity of the polysaccharides was evaluated by determining their radical (hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical and DPPH radical) scavenging abilities, and ferric iron reducing power. The inhibitory activity on tyrosinase of DPSF was also evaluated. The results indicate that the degraded polysaccharide has superior antioxidant activity and anti-tyrosinase effect to those of the original polysaccharide.

Optimization of cellulase-assisted extraction process and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Tricholoma mongolicum Imai

BACKGROUND

Tricholoma mongolicum Imai is a well-known edible and medicinal mushroom which in recent years has attracted increasing attention because of its bioactivities. In this study, water-soluble polysaccharides were extracted from T. mongolicum Imai by cellulase-assisted extraction and their antioxidant activities were investigated.

RESULTS

In order to improve the yield of polysaccharides, four variables, cellulase amount (X1 ), pH (X2 ), temperature (X3 ) and extraction time (X4 ), were investigated with a Box-Behnken design. The optimal conditions were predicted to be cellulase amount of 20 g kg(-1) , pH of 4.0, temperature of 50 °C and extraction time of 127 min, with a predicted polysaccharide yield of 190.1 g kg(-1) . The actual yield of polysaccharides under these conditions was 189.6 g kg(-1) , which matched the predicted value well. The crude polysaccharides were purified to obtain four fractions, and characterization of each was carried out. In addition, antioxidant properties of four polysaccharides assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays indicated that polysaccharides from T. mongolicum Imai (TMIPs) possessed antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

TMIPs show moderate antioxidant activities in vitro. Therefore it is suggested that TMIPs are potential natural antioxidants for use in functional foods. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synthesis of part structures of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype C capsular polysaccharide

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. The development of a vaccine based on the capsular polysaccharide of C. neoformans is still an open challenge due to the heterogeneity of the capsular polysaccharide and the difficulty of identifying protective epitopes. Therefore, construction of structurally defined part structures of the C. neoformans GXM capsule is in great demand. Herein is presented the synthesis of a 3-O-naphthalenylmethyl protected trisaccharide thioglycoside building block which is present in C. neoformans serotype C polysaccharide. Its property as a donor in a glycosylation reaction with a model acceptor has been evaluated together with its behaviour as an acceptor following removal of the temporary protecting group. The heavily branched hexasaccharide was obtained in good yields and excellent α-selectivity. The frame shifted octasaccharide structural triad motif for serotype C was also prepared following the same building block strategy. For the first time this structural motif, which is the most substituted amongst the four C. neoformans serotypes, was prepared. Three synthesized C. neoformans serotype C fragments of varying size, from penta-up to octasaccharide, were deprotected and will be included in unique glycoarrays to further investigate the possibility to develop a synthetic vaccine against this pathogen.

Characteristics and Antitumor Activity of Morchella esculenta Polysaccharide Extracted by Pulsed Electric Field

Polysaccharides from Morchella esculenta have been proven to be functional and helpful for humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemical structure and anti-proliferating and antitumor activities of a Morchella esculenta polysaccharide (MEP) extracted by pulsed electric field (PEF) in submerged fermentation. The endo-polysaccharide was separated and purified by column chromatography and Gel permeation chromatography, and analyzed by gas chromatography. The MEP with an average molecular weight of 81,835 Da consisted of xylose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose at the ratio of 5.4:5.0:6.5:7.8:72.3. Structure of MEP was further analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H and ¹³C liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Apoptosis tests proved that MEP could inhibit the proliferation and growth of human colon cancer HT-29 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner within 48 h. This study provides more information on chemical structure of anti-proliferating polysaccharides isolated from Morchella esculenta.

Effect of exopolysaccharide from Ganoderma applanatum on the electrical properties of mouse fibroblast cells line L929 culture using an electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) - Preliminary study

IIntroduction and objective. In recent years there has been intensified research on medicinal preparations of fungal origin. Some fungal polysaccharides may directly affect the inhibition of cancer cells proliferation which, stopping the cell cycle, leads to apoptosis. One of these substances (component of extract of Ganoderma spp) is extensively tested for its anti-cancer properties on the tumor cell lines. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is an in vitro impedance measuring system using alternating current (AC) to determinate the behaviour of the cells in physiological conditions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to examine the electric properties (resistance, capacitance and impedance) of mouse fibroblasts cell line L929 after treatment by different concentration of crude exopolysaccharides from Ganoderma applanatum (GpEPS) in real time by ECIS technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the study, the L929 cell line culture was treated by different concentrations of GpEPS: C1=228.5 µg/mL; C2=22.85 µg/mL; C3=2.285 µg/mL; C4=0.2285 µg/mL; and C5=0.02285 µg/mL. Default optimal frequencies were used: Resistance (R) 4000Hz, Impedance (Z) 16000Hz, Capacitance (C) 64000Hz.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that GpEPS had no significant effect on the resistance, capacitance and impedance cells cultures, which implies that there is no significant effect on the physiological processes of L929 fibroblasts. This indicates the possibility of using GpEPS preparation in anti-cancer therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In the future, following further studies (comprising in preventive and therapeutic actions), GpEPS can be safely used in anti-cancer therapy which does not cause side-effects or damage to healthy cells.

Purification, Chemical Characterization, and Bioactivity of an Extracellular Polysaccharide Produced by the Marine Sponge Endogenous Fungus Alternaria sp. SP-32

Marine sponges are ancient and simple multicellular filter-feeding invertebrates attached to solid substrates in benthic habitats and host a variety of fungi both inside and on their surface because of its unique ingestion and digest system. Investigation on marine sponge-associated fungi mainly focused on the small molecular metabolites, yet little attention had been paid to the extracellular polysaccharides. In this study, a homogeneous extracellular polysaccharide AS2-1 was obtained from the fermented broth of the marine sponge endogenous fungus Alternaria sp. SP-32 using ethanol precipitation, anion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography. Results of chemical and spectroscopic analyses showed that AS2-1 was composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose with a molar ratio of 1.00:0.67:0.35, and its molecular weight was 27.4 kDa. AS2-1 consists of a mannan core and a galactoglucan chain. The mannan core is composed of (1→6)-α-Manp substituted at C-2 by (1→2)-α-Manp with different degrees of polymerization. The galactoglucan chain consists of (1→6)-α-Glcp residues with (1→6)-β-Galf residues attached to the last glucopyranose residue at C-6. (1→6)-β-Galf residues have additional branches at C-2 consisting of disaccharide units of (1→2)-β-Galf and (1→2)-α-Glcp residues. The glucopyranose residue of the galactoglucan chain is linked to the mannan core. AS2-1 possessed a high antioxidant activity as evaluated by scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals in vitro. AS2-1 was also evaluated for cytotoxic activity on Hela, HL-60, and K562 cell lines by the MTT and SRB methods. The investigation demonstrated that AS2-1 was a novel extracellular polysaccharide with different characterization from extracellular polysaccharides produced by other marine microorganisms.

Antitumor and Antioxidant Properties of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Submerged Mycelium of Flammulina velutipes

The aim of the study was to evaluate antitumor and antioxidant properties of water-soluble polysaccharides from submerged myceliumn of Flammulina velutipes grown under optimized conditions. The optimization of the nutrient medium composition allowed to increase the biomass yield by more than 2 times (up to 35 g/l) and to reduce the time of the cultivation process. The submerged mycelium of F.velutipes strain Fv-1 contained 14.8% of a water-soluble polysaccharides, 31.6% of proteins, 2.5% of total lipids, vitamins B (B1, B5, B6). The polysaccharides contained glucose, galactose, fucose, mannose, xylose, rhamnose. The proteins contained all the essential amino acids except for tryptophan. Dry powder of the submerged mycelium, water extract of the mycelium and total fraction of the water-soluble polysaccharides demonstrated the antitumor activity against murine lymphocytic leukemia P 388 in vivo. The antitumor activity of the substances was mainly due to the polysaccharides, since their purification increased the tumor growth inhibition. The maximum tumor growth inhibition by the water-soluble polysaccharides amounted to 94%. The total fraction of the water-soluble polysaccharides from F.velutipes strain Fv-1 demonstrated antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity (AOC) of the water-soluble fraction from F.velutipes was higher than that of the water-soluble polysaccharides from the sub- merged mycelium of Grifolafrondosa, but inferior to the AOC of the water-soluble polysaccharides from the submerged mycelium of Ganoderma luciduma.

[ON DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS OF IMMUNE DIAGNOSTIC OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES: PROBLEMS OF DIAGNOSTIC IN VIVO AND IN VITRO]

The article considers a number of problematic issues concerning development of effective means of immune diagnostic of infectious diseases of bacterial and mycotic etiology related to approaches of choosing appropriate diagnostic targets.

Extracellular polysaccharides from Ascomycota and Basidiomycota: production conditions, biochemical characteristics, and biological properties

Fungal polysaccharides (PSs) are the subject of research in many fields of science and industry. Many properties of PSs have already been confirmed and the list of postulated functions continues to grow. Fungal PSs are classified into different groups according to systematic affinity, structure (linear and branched), sugar composition (homo- and heteropolysaccharides), type of bonds between the monomers (β-(1 → 3), β-(1 → 6), and α-(1 → 3)) and their location in the cell (cell wall PSs, exoPSs, and endoPSs). Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are most frequently studied fungal PSs but their definition, classification, and origin are still not clear and should be explained. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi producing EPS have different ecological positions (saprotrophic and endophytic, pathogenic or symbiotic-mycorrhizae fungi); therefore, EPSs play different biological functions, for example in the protection against environmental stress factors and in interactions with other organisms. EPSs obtained from Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungal cultures are known for their antioxidant, immunostimulating, antitumor, and antimicrobial properties. The major objective of the presented review article was to provide a detailed description of the state-of-the-art knowledge of the effectiveness of EPS production by filamentous and yeast Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi and techniques of derivation of EPSs, their biochemical characteristics, and biological properties allowing comprehensive analysis as well as indication of similarities and differences between these fungal groups. Understanding the role of EPSs in a variety of processes and their application in food or pharmaceutical industries requires improvement of the techniques of their derivation, purification, and characterization. The detailed analyses of data concerning the derivation and application of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota EPSs can facilitate development and trace the direction of application of these EPSs in different branches of industry, agriculture, and medicine.

Antioxidant and anti-ageing activities of mycelia zinc polysaccharide from Pholiota nameko SW-03

BACKGROUND

Edible fungi polysaccharides usually exhibit antioxidant activity, and zinc has been shown to have antioxidant properties. In the present work, Pholiota nameko SW-03 was used as a vector of zinc biotransformation in order to obtain mycelia zinc polysaccharide (MZPS), and the structural characterization and anti-ageing activity of MZPS were investigated.

RESULTS

Pholiota nameko SW-03 could accumulate zinc in the form of zinc-enriched polysaccharide, and the zinc content in MZPS was 16.39 ± 0.72 mg g(-1) . Three fractions (MZPS-1, MZPS-2 and MZPS-3) were successfully isolated. The main fraction (MZPS-2) with the highest antioxidant activity in vitro was composed of glucose, mannose, glucuronic acid, galactose, galacturonic acid and arabinose in a molar ratio of 172.59:5.29:4.61:4.20:1.01:1.00, with a weight-average molecular weight of 13.63 kDa. The anti-ageing capability was measured in d-galactose-induced ageing mice, and the results showed that MZPS could improve antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capability, malondialdehyde and lipid peroxide), indicating that MZPS had strong anti-ageing capability in vivo.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that organification of zinc through edible fungi liquid fermentation provided a novel method to produce MZPS, which might be used as a natural antioxidant to slow the progression of ageing.

Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of a novel heteropolysaccharide from the submerged fermentation mycelia of Ganoderma capense

A novel heteropolysaccharide (GCPB-2) with a molecular mass of 1.03×10(5)Da was isolated from the submerged fermentation culturing mycelia powder of Lingzhi, Ganoderma capense, by DEAE-52 cellulose, DEAE Sepharose CL-6B, and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. Its chemical structure was characterized for the first time. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by two antioxidant assay methods. The result of this study introduced G. capense as a possible valuable source that helped to exhibit some antioxidant properties. The homogeneous polysaccharide was composed of xylose and arabinose in the molar ratio of 1:1, and showed a specific optical rotation of [α]D(25)=+161° (c 1.0, H2O). Monosaccharide analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, periodic acid oxidation, methylation analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, HMQC and HMBC) were conducted to elucidate its structure. The backbone of GCPB-2 was composed of (1 → 4)-linked-β-D-xylopyranose residues which branched at O-3. The two branches consisted of (1 → 3)-linked-β-L-arabinopyranose terminated with β-D-xylopyranose residues, and (1 → 4)-linked-β-L-arabinopyranose terminated with β-D-arabinopyranose residues. In the in vitro antioxidant assay, GCPB-2 was found to possess 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity with an EC50 value of 0.379 μM. The findings of this study indicated that GCPB-2 possesses the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, which provided an experimental evidence to support the G. capense as functional foods in some Asian countries. To understand better the bioactivity of GCPB-2, the antioxidant activity should be further investigated to find out its mechanism in future work.