Cultivation and utility of Piptoporus betulinus fruiting bodies as a source of anticancer agents

Secondary Metabolites of Fomitopsis betulina: Chemical Structures, Biological Activity and Application Prospects

Fomitopsis betulina, as a macrofungus with both medicinal and dietary applications, is renowned for its rich content of bioactive substances. The recent advancements in research have significantly enhanced our understanding of its polysaccharides, cellulose-degrading enzymes, and wide range of secondary metabolites. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the artificial cultivation techniques and the chemical profiling of over 100 secondary metabolites identified in F. betulina, including terpenoids, phenols, and various other classes. These compounds exhibit notable pharmacological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-malarial effects. Moreover, this review delves into the genomic analysis of F. betulina, focusing on the prediction and classification of terpene synthases, which play a crucial role in the biosynthesis of these bioactive compounds. This insight is instrumental for potentially facilitating future biochemical studies and pharmaceutical applications. Through this review, we aim to solidify the foundation for future in-depth studies and the development of new drugs derived from this promising natural resource.

Bioprospecting of Selected Species of Polypore Fungi from the Western Balkans

Growing mushrooms means meeting challenges while aiming for sustainability and circularity. Wherever the producer is located, commercial strains are the same originating from several producers. Customized strains adapted to local conditions are urgently needed. Before introducing new species to the strain development pipeline, the chemical characterization and biological activity of wild ones need to be assessed. Accordingly, the mycoceutical potential of five polypore mushroom species from Serbia was evaluated including: secondary metabolite composition, oxidative damage prevention, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). The phenolic pattern was comparable in all samples, but the amounts of specific chemicals varied. Hydroxybenzoic acids were the primary components. All samples had varying quantities of ascorbic acid, carotene, and lycopene, and showed a pronounced inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPx) and ability to scavenge HO•. Extracts were more potent tyrosinase inhibitors but unsuccessful when faced with ACE. Fomitopsis pinicola had the strongest anti-tumor efficacy while Ganoderma lucidum demonstrated strong selectivity in anti-tumor effect in comparison to normal cells. The evaluated species provided a solid foundation for commercial development while keeping local ecology in mind.

Effects of Piptoporus betulinus Ethanolic Extract on the Proliferation and Viability of Melanoma Cells and Models of Their Cell Membranes

Piptoporus betulinus is a fungus known for its medicinal properties. It possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. In this study, several tests were performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the ethanolic extract of Piptoporus betulinus on two melanoma human cell lines, WM115 primary and A375 metastatic cell lines, as well as Hs27 human skin fibroblasts. The extract proved to affect cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, and at the same time showed a low cytotoxicity towards the normal cells. The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined spectrophotometrically by the Folin-Ciocalteu method (F-C), and the potential antioxidant activity was measured by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. One of the active compounds in the extract is betulin. It was isolated and then its cytotoxic activity was compared to the results obtained from the Piptoporus betulinus extract. To further understand the mechanism of action of the extract's anticancer activity, tests on model cell membranes were conducted. A model membrane of a melanoma cell was designed and consisted of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, disialoganglioside-GD1a and cholesterol: DMPC:GD1a:chol (5:2:3 mole ratio). Changes in a Langmuir monolayer were observed and described based on Π-Amol isotherm and compressibility modulus changes. LB lipid bilayers were deposited on a hydrophilic gold substrate and analyzed by IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our study provides new data on the effect of Piptoporus betulinus extract on melanoma cells and its impact on the model of melanoma plasma membranes.

A new look at edible and medicinal mushrooms as a source of ergosterol and ergosterol peroxide - UHPLC-MS/MS analysis

Ergosterol (ES) and ergosterol peroxide (EP) are secondary metabolites common for different mushrooms and responsible for health promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral activity, and reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In this study, a new method for determination of both ES and EP in mushroom extracts was developed. Two methods for UHPLC-MS/MS with the use of APCI and APPI sources were developed and compared. The UHPLC-APPI-MS/MS method was found to be more effective and convenient for the analysis of both compounds in 21 edible and 9 medicinal mushrooms. Among the investigated mushrooms, M. procera was found to contain the highest level of ES, while G. dryophilus constituted the richest source of EP. Therefore, it can be suggested that mushrooms are a valuable source of ES and EP in everyday human diet and can be used for development of nutraceuticals and functional food ingredients.

Fungal Secondary Metabolites as Inhibitors of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the major non-lysosomal pathway responsible for regulated degradation of intracellular proteins in eukaryotes. As the principal proteolytic pathway in the cytosol and the nucleus, the UPS serves two main functions: the quality control function (i.e., removal of damaged, misfolded, and functionally incompetent proteins) and a major regulatory function (i.e., targeted degradation of a variety of short-lived regulatory proteins involved in cell cycle control, signal transduction cascades, and regulation of gene expression and metabolic pathways). Aberrations in the UPS are implicated in numerous human pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmunity, inflammation, or infectious diseases. Therefore, the UPS has become an attractive target for drug discovery and development. For the past two decades, much research has been focused on identifying and developing compounds that target specific components of the UPS. Considerable effort has been devoted to the development of both second-generation proteasome inhibitors and inhibitors of ubiquitinating/deubiquitinating enzymes. With the feature of unique structure and bioactivity, secondary metabolites (natural products) serve as the lead compounds in the development of new therapeutic drugs. This review, for the first time, summarizes fungal secondary metabolites found to act as inhibitors of the UPS components.

Cytotoxic triterpenoids and triterpene sugar esters from the medicinal mushroom Fomitopsis betulina

Thirteen undescribed 24-methylene lanostane triterpenoids, named polyporenic acids E-M and fomitosides L-O, as well as seventeen known analogues, were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Fomitopsis betulina. Their structures were determined using 1D, 2D NMR, IR, and HRESIMS. Fomitoside L and fomitoside N exhibited cytotoxicity against HL60 leukemia cells (IC₅₀ = 15.8 and 23.7 μM, respectively). Among the known compounds, notable cytotoxicities against HL60 leukemia cells and selectivity with respect to MRC-5 healthy cells were noticed for dehydropachymic acid (IC₅₀ = 10.9 μM, SI 8.6), pachymic acid (IC₅₀ = 11.0 μM, SI 9.8), 3-epi-dehydrotumulosic acid (IC₅₀ = 19.9 μM, SI 5.8) and 12α-hydroxy-3α-(3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxycarbonyl-3'-methylbutyryloxy)-24-methyllanosta-8,24 (31)-dien-26-oic acid (IC₅₀ = 19.2 μM, SI 2.2).

European medicinal mushrooms: Do they have potential for modern medicine? - An update

BACKGROUND

The application of mushrooms for health purposes has a long tradition and is very common in Asian countries. This trend is also becoming increasingly popular in the western hemisphere. However, mushrooms from European tradition are being treated in a restrained manner despite having significant potential as drugs or as sources of pure bioactive substances.

AIM

The present review provides an overview of the most important mushrooms used in European ethnomedical traditions and explores their pharmacological potential and the challenges for the development of new drugs from these sources of natural products.

METHOD

Mushroom species were selected based on information in old herbal books and dispensaries, uninterrupted use and scientific literature in the PubMed database up to June 2019.

RESULTS

Traditional experiences and modern studies have demonstrated that medical mushrooms used in European traditions have promising distinct pharmacological potential mediated through defined mechanisms (anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial). However, the number of modern chemical, biological and pharmacological studies remains relatively small, and some mushroom species have not been studied at all. Unfortunately, no valid clinical studies can be found. Unlike the case with herbal and fungal drugs from traditional Chinese medicine, we are far from comprehensively exploring this potential.

CONCLUSIONS

Mushrooms from traditional European medicine have the potential to be used in modern medicine. Considerable research, interdisciplinary collaboration, involvement of the pharmaceutical industry, time and money are necessary to explore this potential not only in the form of dietary supplements but also in the form of approved drugs.

Chemical composition and biological activity of extracts from fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures of Fomitopsis betulina

Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) B.K. Cui, M.L. Han & Y.C. Dai has been used for medicinal purposes for over 5000 years. Numerous studies have confirmed the biological activity of compounds found in this species. The purpose of this study was a comparative analysis of selected groups of metabolites in the extracts from fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures. Phenolic acids (syringic, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic), indole compounds (L-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, 5-methyltryptamine), sterols (ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, hexestrol, cholecalciferol), and triterpenes (betulinic acid, betulin) were determined quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis/DAD detection, while fatty acids were assessed with the gas chromatography method. Cytotoxic activity against selected human cancer cell lines was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase test. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on lipopolysaccharide activated A549 cells. Those extracts with anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated for their inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes. The mycelium extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells, while the fruiting body extract indicated a moderate effect on the viability of melanoma and prostate cancer. Incubation of lung epithelial cells with biomass extract significantly decreased cyclooxygenase-2 levels compared to LPS activated A549 cells. This paper is the first report of a comparative quantitative analysis of the metabolites in mycelial cultures and fruiting bodies. In addition, a novel element of this study is its comparison of the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity of the obtained extracts. The results of comparing the composition and activity of mycelium and fruiting bodies shows that the cultures could be proposed as a potential biotechnological source for selected biologically active compounds.

Piptolinic acids F-J, five new lanostane-type triterpenoids from Piptoporus betulinus

Five new lanostane-type triterpenoids, named piptolinic acids F - J (1-5), as well as seven known analogues (6-12), were isolated from methanolic extract of the fruiting bodies of Piptoporus betulinus. Compounds 1-4 were 24-methyl-lanostane triterpenoids, while compound 5 was a 3,4-seco-lanostane derivative. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). Cytotoxicity evaluation indicated that compound 6 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against human melanoma cell line A-375 (IC₅₀ = 42.8 μM) and human renal carcinoma cell line 786-O (IC₅₀ = 56.5 μM).

Dangerous plants in dermatology: Legal and controlled

The plant and mushroom kingdoms have species used for intoxication, inebriation, or recreation. Some of these species are toxic. Given that many of these plants or substances are illegal and have histories of abuse, much of the research regarding therapeutic application is based on basic science, animal studies, and traditional use. This review examines Cannabis, Euphorbia, Ricinus, Podophyllum, Veratrum, mushrooms, and nightshades, along with resveratrol and cocaine as they relate to dermatology.

Cytotoxic lanostane triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Piptoporus betulinus

Chemical investigation of a bioactive methanolic extract of the fruiting bodies of Piptoporus betulinus led to the isolation of five previously undescribed lanostane triterpenoids named piptolinic acids A-E, as well as five known lanostane triterpenoids. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS analysis. Piptolinic acid A with an unusual moiety (3-hydroxy-4-methoxycarbonyl-3-methylbutyryloxy) at C-3 exhibited comparable cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 (IC₅₀ = 1.77 μM) and human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 (IC₅₀ = 8.21 μM) to those of positive control, fluorouracil (IC₅₀ = 6.38 and 4.41 μM, respectively).

Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus): the Iceman's polypore fungus with modern biotechnological potential

Higher Basidiomycota have been used in natural medicine throughout the world for centuries. One of such fungi is Fomitopsis betulina (formerly Piptoporus betulinus), which causes brown rot of birch wood. Annual white to brownish fruiting bodies of the species can be found on trees in the northern hemisphere but F. betulina can also be cultured as a mycelium and fruiting body. The fungus has a long tradition of being applied in folk medicine as an antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agent. Probably due to the curative properties, pieces of its fruiting body were carried by Ötzi the Iceman. Modern research confirms the health-promoting benefits of F. betulina. Pharmacological studies have provided evidence supporting the antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, and immunomodulating activities of F. betulina preparations. Biologically active compounds such as triterpenoids have been isolated. The mushroom is also a reservoir of valuable enzymes and other substances such as cell wall (1→3)-α-D-glucan which can be used for induction of microbial enzymes degrading cariogenic dental biofilm. In conclusion, F. betulina can be considered as a promising source for the development of new products for healthcare and other biotechnological uses.