Inhibitory Effects of Maleimide Derivatives from the Mycelia of the FungusAntrodia cinnamomeaBCRC 36799 on Nitric Oxide Production in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages

Parallel Evolution of Asco- and Basidiomycete O-Prenyltransferases

Prenyltransferases (PTs) are involved in the biosynthesis of a multitude of pharmaceutically and agriculturally important plant, bacterial, and fungal compounds. Although numerous prenylated compounds have been isolated from Basidiomycota (mushroom-forming fungi), knowledge of the PTs catalyzing the transfer reactions in this group of fungi is scarce. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of an O- and C-prenylating dimethylallyltryptophan synthase (DMATS)-like enzyme LpTyrPT from the scurfy deceiver Laccaria proxima. This PT transfers dimethylallyl moieties to l-tyrosine at the para-O position and to l-tryptophan at atom C-7 and represents the first basidiomycete l-tyrosine PT described so far. Phylogenetic analysis of PTs in fungi revealed that basidiomycete l-tyrosine PTs have evolved independently from their ascomycete counterparts and might represent the evolutionary origin of PTs acting on phenolic compounds in secondary metabolism.

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of N-antipyrine-3,4-dichloromaleimide derivatives is due to an immunomodulatory effect on cytokines environment

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Inflammation is the immune response to a harmful stimulus, and its purpose is to destroy foreign agents so that the affected site can be repair. When uncontrolled or unresolved, inflammation can lead to significant tissue damage. Many classes of compounds are used today as anti-inflammatory drugs. However, there is an ongoing demand for new, more effective molecules with higher safety margins. In this regard, the anti-inflammatory effect of six synthetic compounds of N-antipyrine-3,4-dichloromaleimide was evaluated.

METHODS

RAW 264.7 cells were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and the anti-inflammatory activity, by measuring the effect of these molecules on nitric oxide, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 (CCL2), TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-4, and IL-13 levels, as well as under NF-κB activation.

RESULTS

Some of the tested compounds showed significant cytotoxicity (CC50 < 100 µM). Subsequently, the potential of nitric oxide (NO) inhibition as screening for potential anti-inflammatory action was evaluated. Three of the compounds tested showed a promising profile (1, 3, and 5). When the effect of these compounds was evaluated on the production of IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 (CCL2), TNF-α, and INF-γ, only N-antipyrine-3,4-dichloromaleimide (1) and N-antipyrine-3-chloro-4-(3,4-dichloroaniline) maleimide (3) showed significant inhibition profiles. These two compounds were also able to increase the production of cytokines known for having an anti-inflammatory profile (IL-4 and IL-13) and inhibit the phosphorylation of the p-p65 NF-κB subunit significantly.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these two compounds present a significant and unusual anti-inflammatory mechanism (increasing the production of anti-inflammatory mediators). They are therefore considered promising prototypes for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs with immunomodulatory characteristics.

Nutraceutical potential of mushroom bioactive metabolites and their food functionality

Numerous mushroom bioactive metabolites, including polysaccharides, eritadenine, lignin, chitosan, mevinolin, and astrakurkurone have been studied in life-threatening conditions and diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension, cancer, DNA damage, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity attempting to identify natural therapies. These bioactive metabolites have shown potential as antiviral and immune system strengthener natural agents through diverse cellular and physiological pathways modulation with no toxicity evidence, widely available, and inexpensive. In light of the emerging literature, this paper compiles the most recent information describing the molecular mechanisms that underlie the nutraceutical potentials of these mushroom metabolites suggesting their effectiveness if combined with existing drug therapies while discussing the food functionality of mushrooms. The findings raise hope that these mushroom bioactive metabolites may be utilized as natural therapies considering their therapeutic potential while anticipating further research designing clinical trials and developing new drug therapies while encouraging their consumption as a natural adjuvant in preventing and controlling life-threatening conditions and diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension, cancer, DNA damage, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity are among the world's largest life-threatening conditions and diseases. Several mushroom bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, eritadenine, lignin, chitosan, mevinolin, and astrakurkurone have been found potential in tackling these diseases through diverse cellular and physiological pathways modulation with no toxicity evidence, suggesting their use as nutraceutical foods in preventing and controlling these life-threatening conditions and diseases.

The Role of Bioactive Compounds and other Metabolites from Mushrooms against Skin Disorders- A Systematic Review Assessing their Cosmeceutical and Nutricosmetic Outcomes

Bioactive compounds derived from mushrooms have been shown to present promising potential as cosmeceutical or nutricosmetic ingredients. Scientific data reviewed herein showed that extracts prepared from medicinal and edible mushrooms and their individual metabolites presented antiinflammatory, antioxidant, photoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase, and anticollagenase activities. These metabolites can be utilised as ingredients to suppress the severity of Inflammatory Skin Diseases, offer photoprotection to the skin, and correct Hyperpigmentation. However, studies regarding the molecular mechanism behind the mentioned bioactivities are still lacking. Challenges associated with the use of mushroom extracts and their associated metabolites as cosmeceutical and nutricosmetic ingredients include several steps from the fruiting bodies to the final product: extraction optimization, estimation of the efficacy and safety claims, the use of micro and nanocarriers to allow for controlled release and the pros and cons associated with the use of extracts vs individual compounds. This systematic review highlights that mushrooms contain diverse biomolecules that can be sustainably used in the development of nutricosmetic and cosmeceutical formulations. Reports regarding stability, compatibility, and safety assessment, but also toxicological studies are still needed to be considered. Furthermore, some of the constraints and limitations hindering the development of this type of ingredients still require long-term studies to achieve major breakthroughs.

Diversity of potentially exploitable pharmacological activities of the highly prized edible medicinal fungus Antrodia camphorata

Antrodia camphorata, also known as A. cinnamomea, is a precious medicinal basidiomycete fungus endemic to Taiwan. This article summarizes the recent advances in research on the multifarious pharmacological effects of A. camphorata. The mushroom exhibits anticancer activity toward a large variety of cancers including breast, cervical, ovarian, prostate, bladder, colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and lung cancers; melanoma; leukemia; lymphoma; neuroblastoma; and glioblastoma. Other activities encompass antiinflammatory, antiatopic dermatitis, anticachexia, immunoregulatory, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, antioxidative, antiphotodamaging, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, neuroprotective, testis protecting, antiasthmatic, osteogenic, osteoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, and wound healing activities. This review aims to provide a reference for further development and utilization of this highly prized mushroom.

Antcin K, an active triterpenoid from the fruiting bodies of basswood cultivated Antrodia cinnamomea, induces mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Taiwan as per the 2011 statistics and ranks fourth in cancer-related mortality in the world. Recent researches have shown that Antrodia cinnamomea, a Taiwan-specific medicinal mushroom, has biological activities, including hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation, antihepatitis B virus activity, and anticancer activity. In the present study, the antiproliferative activity and molecular mechanisms of antcin K, the most abundant ergostane triterpenoid from the fruiting bodies of basswood cultivated A. cinnamomea, were investigated using human hepatoma Hep 3B cells. The results showed that antcin K effectively reduced Hep 3B cells viability within 48 hours. Antcin K induced phosphatidylserine exposure, chromatin condensation, and DNA damage, but did not significantly increase autophagosome content or cause cell expansion and cell lysis. Thus, the principal mode of Hep 3B cells death induced by antcin K was apoptosis, rather than autophagy or necrosis. In-depth investigation of the molecular mechanisms revealed that antcin K first promoted reactive oxygen species generation and adenosine triphosphate depletion, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and resulting in mitochondrial membrane permeability changes. After losing the mitochondrial membrane potential, caspase-independent and caspase-dependent apoptosis-related proteins were released, including HtrA2, apoptotic-induced factor, endonuclease G, and cytochrome c. Cytochrome c activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cut downstream protein PARP, ultimately leading to cell apoptosis. These results suggested that antcin K induced mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma cells. Coupled with these findings, antcin K has a potential to be a complementary agent in liver cancer therapy.