Characterisation and bioactivity of protein-bound polysaccharides from submerged-culture fermentation of Coriolus versicolor Wr-74 and ATCC-20545 strains

Characterization, In Vitro Biological Activity and In Vivo Cardioprotective Properties of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Quél. Heteropolysaccharides in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

The present study aimed to examine the biological activity and cardioprotective potential of Trametes versicolor heteropolysaccharides (TVH) in a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study included 40 Wistar rats divided into 5 groups: CTRL-healthy non-treated rats; MetS-non-treated rats; and H-TV, M-TV and L-TV-rats with MetS treated with either 300, 200 or 100 mg/kg TVH per os for 4 weeks. After finishing the treatment, we conducted an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), hemodynamic measurements and the animals were sacrificed, hearts isolated and subjected to the Langendorff technique. Blood samples were used for the determination of oxidative stress parameters, lipid status and insulin levels. We showed that α-amylase inhibition was not the mode of TVH antidiabetic action, while TVH showed a moderate inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms' growth (MIC 8.00 mg·mL^-1; MBC/MFC 16.00 mg·mL^-1). H-TV and M-TV significantly reduced the level of prooxidants (O₂^-, H₂O₂, TBARS; p < 0.05), increased antioxidants activity (SOD, CAT, GSH; p < 0.05), reduced blood pressure (p < 0.05), improved glucose homeostasis in the OGTT test (p < 0.05), and ejection fraction (p < 0.05) and cardiac contractility (p < 0.05) compared to MetS (p < 0.05). Moreover, TVH treatment normalized the lipid status and decreased insulin levels compared to MetS rats (p < 0.05). The obtained results demonstrated that the TVH may be considered a useful agent for cardioprotection in MetS conditions.

Effects of dietary co-exposure to fungal and herbal functional feed additives on immune parameters and microbial intestinal diversity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture has proven to be an unsustainable practice leading to increased bacterial resistance. An alternative strategy involves the inclusion of immunostimulants in fish diets, especially fungal and herbal compounds already authorized for human consumption, hence without environmental or public health concerns. In this study, we used a holistic and cross-disciplinary pipeline to assess the immunostimulatory properties of two fungi: Trametes versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum; one herbal supplement, capsaicin in the form of Espelette pepper (Capsicum annuum), and a combination of these fungal and herbal additives on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We investigated the impact of diet supplementation for 7 weeks on survival, growth performance, cellular, humoral, and molecular immune parameters, as well as the intestinal microbial composition of the fish. Uptake of herbal and fungal compounds influenced the expression of immune related genes, without generating an inflammatory response. Significant differences were detected in the spleen-tlr2 gene expression. Supplementation with herbal additives correlated with structural changes in the fish intestinal microbiota and enhanced overall intestinal microbial diversity. Results demonstrated that the different treatments had no adverse effect on growth performance and survival, suggesting the safety of the different feed additives at the tested concentrations. While the mechanisms and multifactorial interactions remain unclear, this study provides insights not only in regard to nutrition and safety of these compounds, but also how a combined immune and gut microbiota approach can shed light on efficacy of immunostimulant compounds for potential commercial inclusion as feed supplements.

Bioactivity of Biomass and Crude Exopolysaccharides Obtained by Controlled Submerged Cultivation of Medicinal Mushroom Trametes versicolor

The aim of this study is to characterize the bioactivity of mycelial biomass and crude exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Trametes versicolor NBIMCC 8939 and to reveal its nutraceutical potential. The EPS (1.58 g/L) were isolated from a culture broth. The macrofungal biomass was rich in protein, insoluble dietary fibers and glucans. The amino acid composition of the biomass was analyzed and 18 amino acids were detected. Three mycelial biomass extracts were prepared and the highest total polyphenol content (16.11 ± 0.14 mg GAE/g DW) and the total flavonoid content (5.15 ± 0.03 mg QE/g DW) were found in the water extract. The results indicated that the obtained EPS were heteropolysaccharides with glucose as the main building monosaccharide and minor amounts of mannose, xylose, galactose, fucose and glucuronic acid. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the complex structure of the crude EPS. Five probiotic lactic acid bacteria strains were used for the determination of the prebiotic effect of the crude EPS. The anti-inflammatory potential was tested in vitro using cell line HT-29. The significant decrease of IL-1 and IL-8 and increase of TGF-beta expression revealed anti-inflammatory potential of the crude exopolysaccharides from T. versicolor.

Facile Preparation of Polysaccharide-Polypeptide Conjugates via a Biphasic Solution Ring-Opening Polymerization

Polysaccharide-polypeptide conjugates have gained a broad interest in mimicking the structure and bioactivity of peptidoglycans or proteoglycans for biomedical applications. Efficient and precise preparation of the conjugates is challenging and unresolved, mainly because of the mismatched solubility between polysaccharide initiators and N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), which frequently results in competing side reactions and oligomeric polypeptide chain. Herein, we report a facile and efficient strategy to prepare the conjugates with well-controlled polypeptide chain length (l_p) directly from unmodified polysaccharides via a biphasic solution ring-opening polymerization. The effect of l_p on surface antibacterial properties has been investigated. Elongating the l_p can significantly potentiate the antibiofilm property of the conjugate coatings. Our results may provide opportunities to develop various polypeptide-based conjugates with well-defined structures toward versatile uses.

The structural characterization and anticancer activity of a polysaccharide from Coriolus versicolor

Coriolus versicolor is a traditional Chinese medicine and is widely applied as a functional food. In this study, a homogeneous polysaccharide, YZP-1a, was isolated from C. versicolor and its structure and anticancer activity were investigated.

Nitrogen has a greater influence than phosphorus on the diazotrophic community in two successive crop seasons in Northeast China

Fertilizer-induced changes in soil nutrients regulate nitrogen (N) fixation in the terrestrial biosphere, but the influences of N and phosphorus (P) fertilization on the diazotroph communities in successive crop seasons were unclear. In this study, we assessed the effects of N and P (high vs. low doses) on the abundance and structure of N₂-fixation communities after wheat and soybean harvest in a long-term (34 and 35 years) fertilization experiment. In both seasons, long-term N addition significantly decreased the abundance of nifH genes and 16S rDNA; in addition, high doses of N and P fertilizer decreased the richness of diazotrophs, whereas low doses did not. The proportion of the dominant genus, Bradyrhizobium, in the soybean season (86.0%) was higher than that in the wheat season (47.9%). Fertilization decreased diazotroph diversity and the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobium in the wheat season, but had insignificant effects in the soybean season. The addition of N, but not P, significantly changed the communities of both diazotrophs (at the genus level) and rhizobia (at the species level) in the two seasons. Soil pH was positively associated with nifH abundance and diazotrophic richness; soil NO₃⁻ content was negatively correlated with diazotrophic richness and positively correlated with diversity. Soil pH and NO₃⁻ content were the two main drivers shaping the soil diazotrophic community. Overall, long-term inorganic N had a greater influence than P on both diazotrophic abundance and community composition, and diazotrophic diversity was more clearly affected by fertilization in the wheat season than in the soybean season.

Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy

Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. is a higher fungi or mushroom which is now known by its accepted scientific name as Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (family Polyporaceae). The polysaccharides, primarily two commercial products from China and Japan as PSP and PSK, respectively, have been claimed to serve as adjuvant therapy for cancer. In this paper, research advances in this field, including direct cytotoxicity in cancer cells and immunostimulatory effects, are scrutinised at three levels: in vitro, in vivo and clinical outcomes. The level of activity in the various cancers, key targets (both in cancer and immune cells) and pharmacological efficacies are discussed.

Nutritional Mushroom Treatment in Meniere's Disease with Coriolus versicolor: A Rationale for Therapeutic Intervention in Neuroinflammation and Antineurodegeneration

Meniere's disease (MD) represents a clinical syndrome characterized by episodes of spontaneous vertigo, associated with fluctuating, low to medium frequencies sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), tinnitus, and aural fullness affecting one or both ears. To date, the cause of MD remains substantially unknown, despite increasing evidence suggesting that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation may be central to the development of endolymphatic hydrops and consequent otholitic degeneration and displacement in the reuniting duct, thus originating the otolithic crisis from vestibular otolithic organs utricle or saccule. As a starting point to withstand pathological consequences, cellular pathways conferring protection against oxidative stress, such as vitagenes, are also induced, but at a level not sufficient to prevent full neuroprotection, which can be reinforced by exogenous nutritional approaches. One emerging strategy is supplementation with mushrooms. Mushroom preparations, used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, are endowed with various biological actions, including antioxidant, immunostimulatory, hepatoprotective, anticancer, as well as antiviral effects. For example, therapeutic polysaccharopeptides obtained from Coriolus versicolor are commercially well established. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that neurotoxic insult represents a critical primary mediator operating in MD pathogenesis, reflected by quantitative increases of markers of oxidative stress and cellular stress response in the peripheral blood of MD patients. We evaluated systemic oxidative stress and cellular stress response in MD patients in the absence and in the presence of treatment with a biomass preparation from Coriolus. Systemic oxidative stress was estimated by measuring, in plasma, protein carbonyls, hydroxynonenals (HNE), and ultraweak luminescence, as well as by lipidomics analysis of active biolipids, such as lipoxin A4 and F2-isoprostanes, whereas in lymphocytes we determined heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp72), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), thioredoxin (Trx), and γ-GC liase to evaluate the systemic cellular stress response. Increased levels of carbonyls, HNE, luminescence, and F2-isoprostanes were found in MD patients with respect to the MD plus Coriolus-treated group. This was paralleled by a significant (p < 0.01) induction, after Coriolus treatment, of vitagenes such as HO-1, Hsp70, Trx, sirtuin-1, and γ-GC liase in lymphocyte and by a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the plasma ratio-reduced glutathione (GSH) vs. oxidized glutathione (GSSG). In conclusion, patients affected by MD are under conditions of systemic oxidative stress, and the induction of vitagenes after mushroom supplementation indicates a maintained response to counteract intracellular pro-oxidant status. The present study also highlights the importance of investigating MD as a convenient model of cochlear neurodegenerative disease. Thus, searching innovative and more potent inducers of the vitagene system can allow the development of pharmacological strategies capable of enhancing the intrinsic reserve of vulnerable neurons, such as ganglion cells to maximize antidegenerative stress responses and thus providing neuroprotection.

Optimization of culture conditions and bench-scale production of anticancer enzyme L-asparaginase by submerged fermentation from Aspergillus terreus CCT 7693

L-Asparaginase amidohydrolase (EC 3.5.1.1) has received significant attention owing to its clinical use in acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment and non-clinical applications in the food industry to reduce acrylamide (toxic compound) formation during the frying of starchy foods. In this study, a sequential optimization strategy was used to determine the best culture conditions for L-asparaginase production from filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus CCT 7693 by submerged fermentation. The cultural conditions were studied using a 3-level, central composite design of response surface methodology, and biomass and enzyme production were optimized separately. The highest amount of biomass (22.0 g·L^-1) was obtained with modified Czapek-Dox medium containing glucose (14 g·L^-1), L-proline (10 g·L^-1), and ammonium nitrate (2 g·L^-1) fermented at 37.2 °C and pH 8.56; for maximum enzyme production (13.50 U·g^-1), the best condition was modified Czapek-Dox medium containing glucose (2 g·L^-1), L-proline (10 g·L^-1), and inoculum concentration of 4.8 × 10⁸ espore·mL^-1 adjusted to pH 9.49 at 34.6 °C. The L-asparaginase production profile was studied in a 7 L bench-scale bioreactor and a final specific activity of 13.81 U·g^-1 was achieved, which represents an increase of 200% in relation to the initial non-optimized conditions.

Neuroinflammation and neurohormesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer-linked pathologies: modulation by nutritional mushrooms

Human life develops and expands not only in time and space, but also in the retrograde permanent recollection and interweaving of memories. Therefore, individual human identity depends fully on a proper access to the autobiographical memory. Such access is hindered or lost under pathological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, including recently associated oxidant pathologies, such as ocular neural degeneration occurring in glaucoma or neurosensorial degeneration occurring in Menière’s disease. Oxidative stress and altered antioxidant systems have been suggested to play a role in the aetiology of major neurodegenerative disorders, and altered expression of genes sensing oxidative stress, as well as decreased cellular stress response mechanisms could synergistically contribute to the course of these oxidant disorders. Thus, the theory that low levels of stress can produce protective responses against the pathogenic processes is a frontier area of neurobiological research focal to understanding and developing therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we discuss cellular mechanisms underlying AD neuroinflammatory pathogenesis that are contributory to Alzheimer’s disease. We describe endogenous cellular defence mechanism modulation and neurohormesis as a potentially innovative approach to therapeutics for AD and other neurodegenerative conditions that are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Particularly, we consider the emerging role of the inflammasome as an important component of the neuroprotective network, as well as the importance of Coriolus and Hericium nutritional mushrooms in redox stress responsive mechanisms and neuroprotection.

Laccase production in bioreactor scale under saline condition by the marine-derived basidiomycete Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063

Laccase production in saline conditions is still poorly studied. The aim of the present study was to investigate the production of laccase in two different types of bioreactors by the marine-derived basidiomycete Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063. The highest laccase activity and productivity were obtained in the Stirred Tank (ST) bioreactor, while the highest biomass concentration in Air-lift (AL) bioreactor. The main laccase produced was purified by ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography and appeared to be monomeric with molecular weight of approximately 55 kDa. The optimum oxidation activity was obtained at pH 5.0. The thermal stability of the enzyme ranged from 30 to 50 °C (120 min). The Far-UV Circular Dichroism revealed the presence of high β-sheet and low α-helical conformation in the protein structure. Additional experiments carried out in flask scale showed that the marine-derived fungus was able to produce laccase only in the presence of artificial seawater and copper sulfate. Results from the present study confirmed the fungal adaptation to marine conditions and its potential for being used in saline environments and/or processes.

Quorum sensing molecule-farnesol increased the production and biological activities of extracellular polysaccharide from Trametes versicolor

A novel strategy of exposing 2-day-old mycelia cultures to 0.8mM farnesol was developed to stimulate extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production in Trametes versicolor submerged cultures. Farnesol, a quorum sensing molecule in fungi, could significantly increase EPS production by promoting polysaccharide biosynthesis and regulating mycelial morphology. EPS yield reached a maximum of 2.56g/L that was 2.7-fold greater than that of control cultures. Farnesol made T. versicolor develop into fluffy, loose and multi-hyphae morphology, which facilitated the excretion of intracellular polysaccharide into culture medium. Moreover, EPS from farnesol-induced cultures (EPS-F) with higher carbohydrate and uronic acid contents mainly contained high molecular weight polysaccharide (134kDa, 85%), and comprised glucose, mannose and galactose in a molar ratio of 34.2:2.1:1.0. These physicochemical properties led to stronger antioxidant and antitumor activities of EPS-F. This is the first report that farnesol can significantly improve the production of polysaccharide with higher biological activities. It provides a novel strategy to enhance the production and bioactivity of mushroom polysaccharide using microbial quorum sensing molecules.

Factors affecting mushroom Pleurotus spp

Pleurotus genus is one of most extensively studied white-rot fungi due to its exceptional ligninolytic properties. It is an edible mushroom and it also has several biological effects, as it contains important bioactive molecules. In basidiomycete fungi, lignocellulolytic enzymes are affected by many typical fermentation factors, such as medium composition, ratio of carbon to nitrogen, pH, temperature, air composition, etc. The survival and multiplication of mushrooms is related to a number of factors, which may act separately or have interactive effects among them. Out that understanding challenges in handling Pleurotus species mushroom requires a fundamental understanding of their physical, chemical, biological and enzymatic properties. This review presents a practical checklist of available intrinsic and extrinsic factors, providing useful synthetic information that may help different users. An in-depth understanding of the technical features is needed for an appropriate and efficient production of Pleurotus spp.

Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Coriolus versicolor in rat brain: Relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Increasing evidence supports the notion that oxidative stress-driven neuroinflammation is an early pathological feature in neurodegenerative diseases. As a prominent intracellular redox system involved in neuroprotection, the vitagene system is emerging as a potential neurohormetic target for novel cytoprotective interventions. Vitagenes encode for cytoprotective heat shock proteins 70, heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin and lipoxin A4. Emerging interest is now focusing on molecules capable of activating the vitagene system as novel therapeutic targets to minimize deleterious consequences associated with free radical-induced cell damage, such as in neurodegeneration. Mushroom-derived lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is an emerging endogenous eicosanoid able to promote resolution of inflammation, acting as an endogenous "braking signal" in the inflammatory process. Mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, being now increasingly recognized as rich source of polysaccharopeptides endowed with significant antitumor, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and cytoprotective effects, thereby capable of stimulating host immune responses. Here we provide evidence of a neuroprotective action of the Coriolus mushroom when administered orally to rat. Expression of LXA4 was measured in different brain regions after oral administration of a Coriolus biomass preparation, given for 30 days. LXA4 up-regulation was associated with an increased content of redox sensitive proteins involved in cellular stress response, such as Hsp72, heme oxygenase-1 and thioredoxin. In the brain of rats receiving Coriolus, maximum induction of LXA4 was observed in cortex and hippocampus. Hsps induction was associated with no significant changes in IkBα, NFkB and COX-2 brain levels. Conceivably, activation of LXA4 signaling and modulation of stress-responsive vitagene proteins could serve as a potential therapeutic target for AD-related inflammation and neurodegenerative damage.

Optimization of the solid-state fermentation and properties of a polysaccharide from Paecilomyces cicadae (Miquel) Samson and its antioxidant activities in vitro

The culture conditions for the yield of a polysaccharide (PCPS) produced by Paecilomyces cicadae (Miquel) Samson on solid-state fermentation were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was applied to screen out significant factors, followed by the paths of steepest ascent to move to the nearest region of maximum response. Then Box-Behnken design (BBD) was conducted to optimize the final levels of the culture conditions. After analyzing the regression equation and the response surface contour plots, relative humidity 56.07%, inoculum 13.51 mL/100 g and temperature 27.09°C were found to be the optimal key parameters for PCPS production. The maximum predicted yield of PCPS was 10.76 mg/g under the optimized conditions. The resulting PCPS (FPCPS) generated at optimal conditions was purified by chromatography column and found to be composed of mannose (43.2%), rhamnose (32.1%), xylose (14.5%) and arabinose (10.2%). Based on the size exclusion chromatography combined with multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC-MALLS) analysis, FPCPS adopted a Gaussian coil conformation in 0.1 M NaNO3 solution with 3.75 × 10(6) g/mol of the weight-average molar mass (Mw) and 41.1 nm of the root-mean square radius (Rg(2))z (1/2). Furthermore, both of the polysaccharides were revealed to have strong antioxidant activities by evaluating in DPPH radical, superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radical assay. These data suggest the polysaccharides of Paecilomyces cicadae (Miquel) Samson produced by solid-state fermentation could be explored as potential natural antioxidants.

A polysaccharide from the fungi of Huaier exhibits anti-tumor potential and immunomodulatory effects

A neutral water-soluble polysaccharide (W-NTRP), with a molecular weight of 2.5 × 10(4)Da, was isolated from the fruit bodies of Trametes robiniophila (Huaier). Gas chromatography (GC) results indicated that W-NTRP was determined to be galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara) and glucose (Glc), with a relative molar ratio of 4.2:2.5:0.7. Its antitumor and immunomodulatory activity were evaluated in vitro. W-NTRP showed remarkable inhibitory effect on three human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (QBC939, Sk-ChA-1 and MZ-ChA-1), with respective IC(50) values of 47.8, 75.9, and 43.7 μg/mL, but had no cytotoxicity to L-929 normal cells. Furthermore, W-NTRP had proliferation promoting effect on mouse splenocytes with or without concanavalin A (ConA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a bell-shaped dose-response manner. In addition, W-NTRP could prominently stimulate macrophages to produce nitric oxide (NO) through the up-regulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity. These results suggest that W-NTRP could be explored as a potential antitumor agent for cholangiocarcinoma.

Production, purification and characterisation of polysaccharides from Pleurotus ostreatus with antitumour activity

BACKGROUND

Mushroom polysaccharides play an important role in functional foods because they exhibit biological modulator properties such as antitumour, antiviral and antibacterial activities. The present study involved the production, purification and characterisation of intracellular and extracellular free and protein-bound polysaccharides from Pleurotus ostreatus and the investigation of their growth-inhibitory effect on human carcinoma cell lines.

RESULTS

Several fermentation parameters were obtained: batch polysaccharide productivities of 0.013 ± 8.12 × 10⁻⁵ and 0.037 ± 0.0005 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹ for intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides respectively, a maximum biomass concentration of 9.35 ± 0.18 g L⁻¹ , P(max) = 0.935 ± 0.018 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹, µ(max) = 0.218 ± 0.02 day⁻¹, Y(EP/X) = 0.040 ± 0.0015 g g⁻¹ and Y(IP/X) = 0.014 ± 0.0003 g g⁻¹ . Some polysaccharides exhibited superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity of 50-200 units. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the polysaccharides revealed absorption bands characteristic of such biological macromolecules. Cytotoxicity assays showed that both intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides exhibited antitumour activity towards several tested human carcinoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The polysaccharides of P. ostreatus exhibited high SOD-like activity, which strongly supports their biological effect on tumour cell lines. The extracellular polysaccharides presented the highest antitumour activity towards the RL95 carcinoma cell line and should be further investigated as an antitumour agent.

The immunobiology of mushrooms

There has been enormous interest in the biologic activity of mushrooms and innumerable claims have been made that mushrooms have beneficial effects on immune function with subsequent implications for inhibition of tumor growth. The majority of these observations are anecdotal and often lack standardization. However, there remains considerable data on both in vitro and in vivo effects that reflect on the potential of mushroom compounds to influence human immunity. A number of these effects are beneficial but, unfortunately, many responses are still characterized based on phenomenology and there is more speculation than substance. With respect to tumor biology, although many neoplastic lesions are immunogenic, tumor antigens frequently are self antigens and induce tolerance and many patients with cancer exhibit suppressed immune responses, including defective antigen presentation. Therefore, if and when mushroom extracts are effective, they more likely function as a result of improved antigen presentation by dendritic cells than by a direct cytopathic effect. In this review we attempt to place these data in perspective, with a particular focus on dendritic cell populations and the ability of mushroom extracts to modulate immunity. There is, at present, no scientific basis for the use of either mushrooms or mushroom extracts in the treatment of human patients but there is significant potential for rigorous research to understand the potential of mushrooms in human disease and thence to focus on appropriate clinical trials to demonstrate effectiveness and/ or potential toxicity.