Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa

A water-soluble mycelium polysaccharide from Monascus pilosus: Extraction, structural characterization, immunomodulatory effect and yield enhanced by overexpression of UGE gene

Mycelium polysaccharide (MPP) from Monascus pilosus with the compositions of glucose, galactose, mannose, glucosamine hydrochloride, rhamnose and arabinose, was obtained using alkaline extracting, and subsequently three purified components (MPP-0, MPP-0.1 and MPP-0.3) were separated. The purity and extraction volume of the MPP-0.1 fraction surpassed those of the other two groups, thus warranting its selection for subsequent experimental investigations. The sample MPP-0.1, with an average molecular weight of 3.7776 × 104 Da, exhibited exceptional thermal stability up to 170 °C. The main glycosidic linkage pattern of MPP-0.1 was structured as→[4)-α-D-Glcp-(1]6 → 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → [2)-α-D-Manp-(1]5 → 2)-α-D-Manp-(1 → 5)-β-D-Galf-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galf (1 → 3)-β-D-Galf-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galf-(1→, and branched Glcp, Manp, Galf fragments were connected with the main chain through →4, 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →2, 6)-α-D-Manp-(1 → and →3, 6)-β-D-Galf-(1→. Besides, the up-regulated levels of Nitric oxide (NO), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines along with increased phagocytic activity revealed that MPP-0.1 has significant immunomodulatory effect, and can significantly enhance the proliferation and activation of RAW264.7 cells. Finally, the gene UGE (UDP-glucose 4-epimerase) was overexpressed in M. pilosus to increase the MPP production. Results showed that the biomass of the recombinant strain exhibited a remarkable increase of approximately 62.56 ± 1.50 % compared to that of the parental strain, and the extraction yield of MPP increased significantly by 83.19 ± 4.56 %.

A polysaccharide with a triple helix structure from Agaricus bisporus: Characterization and anti-colon cancer activity

In this study, A polysaccharide WAAP-2 (121 kDa) with a triple-helical structure was isolated and purified from Agaricus bisporus for the first time. The physicochemical properties, structural characteristics and anti-colon cancer activity were preliminarily investigated. The primary structure indicated that WAAP-2 was composed of mannose, glucose and galactose and determined the position of the linkage between monosaccharide residues. The advanced structure revealed that WAAP-2 has a triple helix and tangled chain conformation. In the anti-colon cancer activity investigation, WAAP-2 exerted an apoptosis-inducing effect by causing HT-29 cell cycle arrest in S phase. WAAP-2 promoted HT-29 cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax proteins while down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Besides, WAAP-2 could inhibit the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by inducing E-cadherin expression and inhibiting Vimentin expression to affect epithelial mesenchymal transition. This paper is of importance for the application of WAAP-2, a triple-helical structural polysaccharide from Agaricus bisporus, to low-toxicity anti-colon cancer drugs.

Structural characteristics of a polysaccharide from Armillariella tabescens and its protective effect on colitis mice via regulating gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function

A new polysaccharide fraction (ATP) was obtained from Armillariella tabescens mycelium. Structural analysis suggested that the backbone of ATP was →4)-α-D-Glcp(1 → 2)-α-D-Galp(1 → 2)-α-D-Glcp(1 → 4)-α-D-Glcp(1→, which branched at O-3 of →2)-α-D-Glcp(1 → and terminated with T-α-D-Glcp or T-α-D-Manp. Besides, ATP significantly alleviated ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms and inhibited the production of pro-inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6). Meanwhile, ATP could improve colon tissue damage by elevating the expression of MUC2 and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1) levels and enhance intestinal barrier function through inhibiting the activation of MMP12/MLCK/p-MLC2 signaling pathway. Further studies exhibited that ATP could increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as f. Muribaculacese, g. Muribaculaceae, and g. Alistips, and decrease the relative abundance of g. Desulfovibrio, g. Colidextribacter, g. Ruminococcaceae and g.Oscillibacter, and regulate the level of short-chain fatty acids. Importantly, FMT intervention with ATP-derived microbiome certified that gut microbiota was involved in the protective effects of ATP on UC. The results indicated that ATP was potential to be further developed into promising therapeutic agent for UC.

Recognition on pharmacodynamic ingredients of natural products

Natural products (NPs) play an irreplaceable role in the intervention of various diseases and have been considered a critical source of drug development. Many new pharmacodynamic compounds with potential clinical applications have recently been derived from NPs. These compounds range from small molecules to polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, self-assembled nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes various active substances found in NPs. The investigation of active substances in NPs can potentiate new drug development and promote the in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of action of NPs that can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides: A review on structure/activity, biosynthesis and engineering strategies

Polysaccharides are the main polymers in edible fungi Grifola frondosa, playing a crucial role in the physiology and representing the healthy benefits for humans. Recent efforts have well elucidated the fine structures and biological functions of G. frondosa polysaccharides. The recently-rapid developments and increasing availability in fungal genomes also accelerated the better understanding of key genes and pathways involved in biosynthesis of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Herein, we provide a brief overview of G. frondosa polysaccharides and their activities, and comprehensively outline the complex process, genes and proteins corresponding to G. frondosa polysaccharide biosynthesis. The regulation strategies including strain improvement, process optimization and genetic engineering were also summarized for maximum production of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Some remaining unanswered questions in describing the fine synthesis machinery were also pointed out to open up new avenues for answering the structure-activity relationship and improving polysaccharide biosynthesis in G. frondosa. The review hopefully presents a reasonable full picture of activities, biosynthesis, and production regulation of polysaccharide in G. frondosa.

Polysaccharide extracted from cultivated Sanghuangporous vaninii spores using three-phase partitioning with enzyme/ultrasound pretreatment: Physicochemical characteristics and its biological activity in vitro

Sanghuangporous vaninii, as a valuable dietary supplement and medicinal ingredient, contains abundant bioactive polysaccharides that have health-promoting effects. In the present study, four polysaccharides (SVSPs-C, SVSPs-E, SVSPs-U, and SVSPs-E/U) were extracted for the first time from S. vaninii spores by three-phase partitioning (TPP), enzyme pretreatment before TPP (E-TPP), ultrasonic pretreatment before TPP (U-TPP), and enzyme pretreatment followed by ultrasonic before TPP (E/U-TPP) methods, respectively. Their physicochemical characteristics and in vitro pharmacological functions were determined and compared. Results showed that four TPP-based extraction methods had remarkable impacts on the extraction yield, chemical properties, monosaccharide compositions, and molecular weights (Mw) of SVSPs. Specifically, SVSPs-E/U obtained by E/U-TPP showed the highest extraction yield (25.40 %), carbohydrate content (88.50 %), and the lowest protein content (0.86 %). The four SVSPs had high-Mw (183.8-329.1 kDa) and low-Mw (23.0-156.4 kDa) fractions and mainly consisted of galactose, glucose, and mannose with different contents. In vitro bioactivities assays indicated that SVSPs-E/U possessed stronger antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypouricemic, immunostimulatory, and antitumor activities than those of SVSPs-C, SVSPs-E, and SVSPs-U. Therefore, our results provide an efficient and promising extraction technique for bioactive polysaccharides from S. vaninii spores, as well as SVSPs had the potential to be applied in functional food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics fields.

Advances in sulfonated modification and bioactivity of polysaccharides

Polysaccharides, as biological macromolecules, are widely found in plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria and exhibit various biological activities. However, many natural polysaccharides exhibit low or non-existent biological activities because of their high molecular weights and poor water solubility, limiting their application in many fields. Sulfonation is one of the most effective chemical modification methods to improve physicochemical properties and biological activities of natural polysaccharides or even impart natural polysaccharides with new biological activities. Therefore, sulfonated polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention because of their antioxidant, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. This paper reviews the recent advances in the sulfonation of polysaccharides, including preparation, characterization, and biological activities of sulfonated polysaccharides, and provides a theoretical basis for wide applications of sulfonated polysaccharides.

Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activities of Polysaccharides from Fermented Wheat Products of Grifola frondosa: In Vitro Methods

Despite the well-known health benefits of Grifola frondosa, there is a lack of understanding regarding the potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of different varieties when fermented with wheat grains. We aimed to explore the potential of G. frondosa-fermented wheat flour as a functional food. Three varieties of G. frondosa (GFA, GFB, and GFC) were fermented with wheat grains for solid-state fermentation. Polysaccharides were extracted and analyzed for total sugar content, monosaccharide composition, Mw profile, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and immunomodulatory properties. Results were evaluated using HPLC, DPPH assay, MTS assay, Griess reagent, and ELISA method. Our study found variations in three different varieties of G. frondosa-fermented wheat polysaccharides. Glucose was the predominant monosaccharide, followed by galactose and mannose. Each variety had a different molecular weight distribution, with GFA-wheat mainly present in fraction II, GFB-wheat in fraction I, and GFC-wheat in fraction III. At a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, GFA-wheat and GFB-wheat polysaccharides increased DPPH scavenging ability by 76.8% and 58.7%, respectively. The polysaccharides showed no apparent toxic effect and enhanced the production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 246.7 macrophages. GFB-wheat polysaccharides demonstrated remarkable immunomodulatory properties at a concentration of 5 μg/mL. Our study provides a theoretical basis for using G. frondosa in wheat staple agricultural products to improve human health.

A Se-enriched Grifola frondosa polysaccharide induces macrophage activation by TLR4-mediated MAPK signaling pathway

Se-polysaccharide (Se-GFP-22) from Se-enriched Grifola frondosa has double and cooperative activities of polysaccharide and Se. To delineate the underlying mechanism and signaling cascade involved in immune-stimulatory property of Se-GFP-22, the production of cellular mediators and key proteins in signaling pathway was examined. Results showed that Se-GFP-22 exhibited no cytotoxic and had a high capacity to promote macrophage phagocytosis, up-regulate interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and nitric oxide (NO) productions, as well as the relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions. In Se-GFP-22-induced macrophages, intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly increased to protect cells from oxidative injury. However, Se-GFP-22 induced macrophage activation was suppressed when the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway was blocked by a specific TLR4 inhibitor. According to the western blot analysis and the use of specific inhibitors against the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway, we speculated that Se-GFP-22 activated RAW264.7 macrophages through the TLR4-mediated MAPK signaling pathway. This study provides a molecular basis for the potential of Se-GFP-22 as a novel immune-stimulatory agent.

Structural properties and anti-inflammatory activity of purified polysaccharides from Hen-of-the-woods mushrooms (Grifola frondosa)

Grifola frondosa is an edible medicinal mushroom that has been proven to have a variety of health benefits. The main active ingredients of this mushroom are polysaccharides. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used to obtain crude Grifola frondosa polysaccharides (GFPs). Then, purified GFP was obtained after purification. The optimum extraction conditions were an extraction time of 71 min, an extraction temperature of 90°C in a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:37 g/mL, and an ultrasonic power of 500 W. GFP was purified using DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-100. The structural characterization of GFP was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ion chromatography (IC), and ultraviolet (UV) visible photometry. The morphology of GFP was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and Congo red testing. In addition, the administration of GFP in oxazolone (OXZ)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice was found to prevent weight loss. Different doses of GFP (80, 160, and 320 mg/kg body weight) were used, and sulfapyridine (SASP) was used as a positive control (370 mg/kg body weight) for the treatment of OXZ-induced UC. After treatment, the mice were killed, and blood and colon tissue samples were collected. GFP was found to prevent decreases in colon length and the levels of leukocytes, platelets, and neutrophils in UC mice. Moreover, GFP also decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1 β], increased IL-10, and reduced colon injury in UC mice. The results showed that Under these conditions, the predicted polysaccharide yield was 21.72%, and the actual extraction rate was 21.13%. The polysaccharide composition (molar ratio) was composed of fucose (0.025), glucosamine hydrochloride (0.004), galactose (0.063), glucose (0.869), and mannose (0.038). GFP was also found to have a typical absorption peak, and the GFP extracted using the ultrasound-assisted extraction protocol was mainly β-glucan. These results indicate that ultrasound-assisted extraction of GFP could reduce OXZ-induced intestinal inflammation as a promising candidate for the treatment of UC, with the potential for development as a food supplement to improve intestinal diseases.

Microbial polysaccharides: An emerging family of natural biomaterials for cancer therapy and diagnostics

Microbial polysaccharides (MPs) offer immense diversity in structural and functional properties. They are extensively used in advance biomedical science owing to their superior biodegradability, hemocompatibility, and capability to imitate the natural extracellular matrix microenvironment. Ease in tailoring, inherent bio-activity, distinct mucoadhesiveness, ability to absorb hydrophobic drugs, and plentiful availability of MPs make them prolific green biomaterials to overcome the significant constraints of cancer chemotherapeutics. Many studies have demonstrated their application to obstruct tumor development and extend survival through immune activation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest by MPs. Synoptic investigations of MPs are compulsory to decode applied basics in recent inclinations towards cancer regimens. The current review focuses on the anticancer properties of commercially available and newly explored MPs, and outlines their direct and indirect mode of action. The review also highlights cutting-edge MPs-based drug delivery systems to augment the specificity and efficiency of available chemotherapeutics, as well as their emerging role in theranostics.

The Antioxidant Properties of Mushroom Polysaccharides can Potentially Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Beta-Cell Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic and endocrine illness affecting people all over the world and is of serious health and financial concern. Antidiabetic medicine delivered through pharmacotherapy, including synthetic antidiabetic drugs, are known to have several negative effects. Fortunately, several natural polysaccharides have antidiabetic properties, and the use of these polysaccharides as adjuncts to conventional therapy is becoming more common, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Oxidative stress has a critical role in the development of diabetes mellitus (DM). The review of current literature presented here focusses, therefore, on the antioxidant properties of mushroom polysaccharides used in the management of diabetic complications, and discusses whether these antioxidant properties contribute to the deactivation of the oxidative stress-related signalling pathways, and to the amelioration of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of the relevant information concerning the antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of mushrooms from electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus or Google Scholar, for the period 1994 to 2021. In total, 104 different polysaccharides from mushrooms have been found to have antidiabetic effects. Most of the literature on mushroom polysaccharides has demonstrated the beneficial effects of these polysaccharides on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels. This review discuss the effects of these polysaccharides on hyperglycemia and other alternative antioxidant therapies for diabetic complications through their applications and limits, in order to gain a better understanding of how they can be used to treat DM. Preclinical and phytochemical investigations have found that most of the active polysaccharides extracted from mushrooms have antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress and preventing the development of DM. Further research is necessary to confirm whether mushroom polysaccharides can effectively alleviate hyperglycemia, and the mechanisms by which they do this, and to investigate whether these polysaccharides might be utilized as a complementary therapy for the prevention and management of DM in the future.

Purification and characterization of Se-enriched Grifola frondosa glycoprotein, and evaluating its amelioration effect on As3+ -induced immune toxicity

BACKGROUND

Selenium (Se)-enriched glycoproteins have been a research highlight for the role of both Se and glycoproteins in immunoregulation. Arsenic (As) is a toxicant that is potentially toxic to the immune function and consequently to human health. Several reports suggested that Se could reduce the toxicity of heavy metals. Moreover, more and more nutrients in food had been applied to relieve As-induced toxicity. Hence glycoproteins were isolated and purified from Se-enriched Grifola frondosa, and their preliminary characteristics as well as amelioration effect and mechanism on As³⁺ -induced immune toxicity were evaluated.

RESULTS

Four factions, namely Se-GPr11 (electrophoresis analysis exhibited one band: 14.32 kDa), Se-GPr22 (two bands: 20.57 and 31.12 kDa), Se-GPr33 (three bands: 15.08, 20.57 and 32.78 kDa) and Se-GPr44 (three bands: 16.73, 32.78 and 42.46 kDa), were obtained from Se-enriched G. frondosa via DEAE-52 and Sephacryl S-400 column. In addition, Se-GPr11 and Se-GPr44 are ideal proteins that contain high amounts of almost all essential amino acids. Thereafter, the RAW264.7 macrophage model was adopted to estimate the effect of Se-GPr11 and Se-GPr44 on As³⁺ -induced immune toxicity. The results showed that the pre-intervention method was the best consequent and the potential mechanisms were, first, by improving the oxidative stress state (enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde); secondly, through nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated upregulation cytokines (interleukin-2 and interferon-γ) secretion induced by As³⁺ .

CONCLUSION

The results suggested Se-enriched G. frondosa may be a feasible supplement to improve health level of the As³⁺ pollution population. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactives from Mushroom: Health Attributes and Food Industry Applications

It is well-known that the utilization of mushrooms as therapeutic agents is not new. Over the past years, they have been used by local individuals as food, as well as medicines, throughout the world. Nowadays, mushrooms are excessively used in the medicine, pharmacy, food, and fermentation fields as well. Wild mushrooms are of particular interest, especially Trametes versicolor (commonly known as turkey mushrooms) due to their various uses in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They represent not only a huge storehouse of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, but they are also an important source of bioactive polysaccharides. They are widely used in traditional oriental therapies. The fruiting bodies are used in the preparation of health tonics and tea. The present review is necessary to explore more about this mushroom-like classical taxonomy, morphology, nutritional value, bioactivity, various health attributes, mechanism of bioactive components against various diseases, and food applications. The influence of processing processes on the nutritional properties and bioactivity of the fungus is discussed. Potential bioactive components promising health attributes of Trametes versicolor are extensively described. Additionally, several in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of polysaccharopeptides (PSP) and Polysaccharide-K (PSK) on the aspects related to immune function and inflammation, also presenting an anticancerous effect. Moreover, PSP and PSK were successfully described to decrease several life-threatening diseases. The potential food applications of Trametes versicolor were detailed to signify the effective utilization of the mushroom in functional food formulation.

Antioxidant Activity of Mushroom Extracts/Polysaccharides-Their Antiviral Properties and Plausible AntiCOVID-19 Properties

Mushrooms have been long accomplished for their medicinal properties and bioactivity. The ancients benefitted from it, even before they knew that there was more to mushrooms than just the culinary aspect. This review addresses the benefits of mushrooms and specifically dwells on the positive attributes of mushroom polysaccharides. Compared to mushroom research, mushroom polysaccharide-based reports were observed to be significantly less frequent. This review highlights the antioxidant properties and mechanisms as well as consolidates the various antioxidant applications of mushroom polysaccharides. The biological activities of mushroom polysaccharides are also briefly discussed. The antiviral properties of mushrooms and their polysaccharides have been reviewed and presented. The lacunae in implementation of the antiviral benefits into antiCOVID-19 pursuits has been highlighted. The need for expansion and extrapolation of the knowns of mushrooms to extend into the unknown is emphasized.

Beta-Glucans from Fungi: Biological and Health-Promoting Potential in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Beta-glucans comprise a group of polysaccharides of natural origin found in bacteria, algae, and plants, e.g., cereal seeds, as well as microfungi and macrofungi (mushrooms), which are characterized by diverse structures and functions. They are known for their metabolic and immunomodulatory properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral. Recent reports suggest a potential of beta-glucans in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In contrast to β-glucans from other sources, β-glucans from mushrooms are characterized by β-1,3-glucans with short β-1,6-side chains. This structure is recognized by receptors located on the surface of immune cells; thus, mushroom β-glucans have specific immunomodulatory properties and gained BRM (biological response modifier) status. Moreover, mushroom beta-glucans also owe their properties to the formation of triple helix conformation, which is one of the key factors influencing the bioactivity of mushroom beta-glucans. This review summarizes the latest findings on biological and health-promoting potential of mushroom beta-glucans for the treatment of civilization and viral diseases, with particular emphasis on COVID-19.

Polysaccharides from traditional Asian food source and their antitumor activity

Polysaccharides extracted from Asian traditional food source have been demonstrated to possess different antitumor activities mostly without side effect. In this paper, we reviewed many kinds of polysaccharides from different Asian food source and their antitumor activities. Some are common food such as different mushroom with more research. Some are special e.g., Ginseng, Salvia, Astragalus, Lycium barbarum etc. with relatively fewer research. This review mainly focused on their structure, derivatives, antitumor activities and their mechanism of action in the last decades. It aimed to bridge traditional Asian ingredients with tumor and cancer curation in order to avoid side effect of traditional treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: There are abundant resources of Asian food. And polysaccharides from these resources have been showed good antitumor activities and immunopotentiating activity. This review introduced the advance of the polysaccharides and their antitumor activities, which will promote the development antitumor medicine derived from Asian food source, or their applications as Adjuvant therapy of traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Due to their multiple antitumor activities, enhancing immunity potential, and non-toxic side-effects, it might be utilized for the treatment of multiple tumors and improve the health and the life quality of patients whether as anti-tumor drugs or as adjuvant therapy method. Furthermore, traditional Asian food source is rich. In the near future, more and more efficient polysaccharides with antitumor activities of Asian food source will be discovered. There will be broad application market for the polysaccharides.

Flaxseed Oil and Heated Flaxseed Supplements Have Different Effects on Lipid Deposition and Ileal Microbiota in Albas Cashmere Goats

Simple Summary

With the grassland desertification intensified, pasture carrying capacity decreased, and grass seasonal changed, stall-feeding fattening has become an effective means to protect the natural environment. The stall-feeding fattening increased the cashmere goats’ weight but reduced the meat quality and increased the saturated fatty acids content in muscle and fat tissue of cashmere goats. Supplementing flaxseed and flaxseed oil rich-in linolenic acid (ALA) to diet to improve meat quality is an effective nutritional regulation means. Previous research results of our team showed that compared to diet supplemented with flaxseed oil, added flaxseed increased linoleic acid biohydrogenation by reducing the Ruminobacter relative abundance and increasing the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Fretibacterium in rumen, protected ALA away from biohydrogenation, and more n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids entered the post-intestinal tract. Based on the previous research, this study explored whether the ALA flowing into the posterior intestine can reduce fat deposition and blood lipid by affecting intestinal microbiota. The results showed that adding flaxseed grain to diet decreased the growth performance, lipid deposition, and blood lipid content of goats by regulating the blood lipid-related enzyme activity, which positively associated with [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, but negatively associated with unclassified_f_Peptostreptococcaceae, Intestinibacter, and Ruminococcus_2.

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of flaxseed grain or flaxseed oil on ileal microbiota and lipid deposition of cashmere goats. Sixty kid goats (average body weight 18.6 ± 0.1 kg) were allocated to three treatments, fed for 90 days, with control treatment: basal diet (CON, total-mixed ration), experimental treatment: basal diet with added flaxseed oil (LNO), experimental treatment: basal diet with added heated flaxseed grain (HLS). The final body weight, body weight gain, the weight of kidney fat, omental fat, tail fat, and fat tissue, the activity of fatty acid synthetase, acetyl-coa carboxylase, and malic dehydrogenase, and the relative abundance (RA) of unclassified_f_Peptostreptococcaceae and Intestinibacter were remarkably higher in the LNO treatment than in the HLS treatment, but the [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group RA showed the opposite result. The content of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in the CON and LNO treatments than in the HLS treatment, while the hormone-sensitive lipase activity and the non-esterified fatty acid content showed the opposite result. In conclusion, the flaxseed grain is more efficient than flaxseed oil in ameliorating the blood lipid profiles and it is a potential product for decreasing the lipid deposition of cashmere goats.

Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Proteoglycan-Lipid Nanoparticles from Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea Muller) Soup

Nanoparticles can be prepared by several sophisticated processes but until now, it cannot be prepared by simple home cooking. Here, we report that two incidental food nanoparticles (iFNPs) consisting of proteoglycans and phytosterols were isolated from soup made from freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea Muller), a renowned folk remedy for liver problems in China and other parts of East Asia. These two bioactive iFNPs were obtained and characterized by anionic exchange chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering measurement. Their hydrodynamic diameters and ζ-potentials were 50 ± 0.2 nm and -28.0 mV and 67 ± 0.4 nm and -9.96 mV, respectively. FT-IR revealed that the proteoglycans in the particles contained α-type heteropolysaccharides. Both iFNPs were resistant to pH changes and separation by mechanical force but responsive to temperature changes. They effectively inhibited cholesterol uptake in vitro, which resonates with the traditional belief that freshwater clam soup provides hepatoprotective benefits. This study suggests that these two proteoglycan-lipid iFNPs are the active moieties and offers a supramolecular structure-based approach to study the function of such complex matrices derived from food.

Biologically active polysaccharide from edible mushrooms: A review

Mushrooms are renewable natural gift for humankind, furnished with unique taste, flavor and medicinal properties. For the last few decades study of mushroom polysaccharides has become a matter of great interest to the researchers for their immunomodulating, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antitumor properties. Molecular mass, branching configuration, conformation of polysaccharides and chemical modification are the major factors influencing their biological activities. The mechanism of action of mushroom polysaccharides is to stimulate T-cells, B-cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage dependent immune responses via binding to receptors like the toll-like receptor-2, dectin-1. The present review offers summarized and significant information about the structural and biological properties of mushroom polysaccharides, and their potential for development of therapeutic materials.

Bioactive Ingredients and Medicinal Values of Grifola frondosa (Maitake)

Grifola frondosa (G. frondosa), generally known as hen-of-the-woods or maitake in Japanese and hui-shu-hua in Chinese, is an edible mushroom with both nutritional and medicinal properties. This review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of research findings on its bioactive constituents, potential health benefits and major structural characteristics. Since the discovery of the D-fraction more than three decades ago, many other polysaccharides, including β-glucans and heteroglycans, have been extracted from the G. frondosa fruiting body and fungal mycelium, which have shown significant antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. Another class of bioactive macromolecules in G. frondosa is composed of proteins and glycoproteins, which have shown antitumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant and other activities. A number of small organic molecules such as sterols and phenolic compounds have also been isolated from the fungus and have shown various bioactivities. It can be concluded that the G. frondosa mushroom provides a diverse array of bioactive molecules that are potentially valuable for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. More investigation is needed to establish the structure–bioactivity relationship of G. frondosa and to elucidate the mechanisms of action behind its various bioactive and pharmacological effects.

The preparation of a cold-water soluble polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa and its inhibitory effects on MKN-45 cells

In this study, a novel water soluble polysaccharide (named GFP-4) was extracted from Grifola frondosa at 4 ^oC, and its preliminary structure and inhibitory effects on human gastric carcinoma MKN-45 cells through the Fas/FasL death receptor apoptosis pathway were investigated. High-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ion chromatography (IC) results showed that GFP-4 was a 1.09 × 10⁶ Da neutral hetero polysaccharide with pyranose rings, and α- and β-type glycosidic linkages that contained galactose, glucose, and mannose at a molar ratio of 1.00:3.45:1.19. MTT results indicated that GFP-4 significantly inhibited the proliferation of MKN-45 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The H&E staining and Hoechst 33342/PI double staining results showed that GFP-4-treated MKN-45 cells were subjected to underwent typical apoptotic morphologic changes such as nuclear pyknosis, chromatin condensation, and an increase of membrane permeability. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, cell cycle analysis, and western blot results revealed the GFP-4 induced MKN-45 cells apoptosis through the Fas/FasL-mediated death receptor pathway with cells arrested at the G0/G1 phase. These data indicate that GFP-4 is a promising candidate for treating gastric cancer and provide a theoretical basis for the future development and utilization of G. frondosa clinically.

The structural characteristics of an acid-soluble polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa and its antitumor effects on H22-bearing mice

The edible mushroom G. frondosa has been used as a kind of functional food for the prevention and therapy of various diseases in Asian countries. In the present work, a novel acid-soluble polysaccharide (GFAP) was successfully isolated from G. frondosa under room temperature and hydrochloric acid solution treatment. Results of chemical composition analysis, UV and HPGPC spectra showed that GFAP mainly contained 94.28% of carbohydrate with the average molecular weight of about 644.9 kDa. GC, FT-IR, NMR and methylation analysis further indicated that GFAP was a neutral sugar mainly composed of (1 → 3)-β-D-Glcp and (1 → 3)-α-D-Manp. The in vivo antitumor experiments demonstrated that GFAP could effectively protect thymuses and spleens of tumor-bearing mice and inhibit the growth of H22 solid tumors with the inhibitory rate of 36.72%. Besides, GFAP could significantly improve the activities of NK cells, macrophages, CD19+ B cells and CD4+ T cells, leading to the apoptosis of H22 cells via G0/G1 phase arrested. Our data demonstrated that GFAP holds great application prospect to be a safe and effective antitumor adjuvant in the future.

Purification, characterization and anti-tumor activities of polysaccharides from Ecklonia kurome obtained by three different extraction methods

To investigate and compare the effects of different extraction methods on the structure and anti-tumor activity of Ecklonia kurome polysaccharides (EP), three techniques, namely hot water extraction (HW), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UA) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EA), were used to extract EP, and three crude EPs were purified by DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography. The significant antitumor active components in each method were screened by MTT assay and named as HW-EP5, UA-EP4 and EA-EP3, respectively. The molecular weight, FT-IR assay and NMR showed that HW-EP5, UA-EP4 and EA-EP3 were pyran polysaccharides with a molecular weight of 14,466, 15,922 and 16,947 Da, respectively. HW-EP5 contained the most monosaccharides and the highest content of sulfate and uronic acid. HW-EP5 had an even and smooth sheet-like appearance, while UA-EP4 and EA-EP3 exhibited irregular and rough fragments. All three polysaccharides can inhibit the migration of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and promote its apoptosis. All three polysaccharides promoted caspase activity during apoptosis. HW-EP5 and UA-EP4 up-regulated the expression of proapoptotic proteins Bax and p53, while EA-EP3 only up-regulated the expression of p53. These experimental results indicate that Ecklonia kurome polysaccharides, especially HW-EP5, have great potential as a natural medicine for the treatment of breast cancer.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet fed rats

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential effects of polysaccharides from edible mushroom Grifola frondosa (GFP) on lipid metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis, and elucidate their possible regulatory mechanisms on lipid and cholesterol metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-exacerbated hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic rats. Results showed that oral administration of GFP markedly alleviated dyslipidaemia through decreasing the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids, and significantly suppressing hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis. Besides, the excretion of fecal bile acids was also promoted by oral administration of GFP. Metagenomic analysis revealed that GFP supplementation (400 mg kg-1 day-1) resulted in significant structure changes on gut microbiota in HFD-fed rats, in particular modulating the relative abundance of functionally relevant microbial phylotypes compared with the HFD group. Key microbial phylotypes responding to GFP intervention were identified to strongly correlate with the lipid metabolism disorder associated parameters using the correlation network based on Spearman's correlation coefficient. Serum and hepatic lipid profiles were found positively correlated with Clostridium-XVIII, Butyricicoccus and Turicibacter, but negatively correlated with Helicobater, Intestinimonas, Barnesiella, Parasutterella, Ruminococcus and Flavonifracter. Moreover, GFP treatment (400 mg kg-1 day-1) regulated the mRNA expression levels of the genes responsible for hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism. Oral supplementation of GFP markedly increased the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and bile salt export pump (BSEP), suggesting an enhancement of bile acid (BA) synthesis and excretion from the liver. These findings illustrated that GFP could ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders through modulating specific gut microbial phylotypes and regulating hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism related genes, and therefore could be used as a potential functional food ingredient for the prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Structure and Anti-Tumor Activities of Exopolysaccharides from Alternaria mali Roberts

In this study, an extracellular polysaccharide from Alternaria mali Roberts (AMEP) was extracted, and its structure was characterized, in addition to its antitumor activity in vitro. Neutral polysaccharide AMEP-1 and anionic polysaccharide AMEP-2 were isolated from AMEP, and their monosaccharide compositions consisted of mannose (Man), glucose (Glc), and galactose (Gal) but at different ratios. The linking mode of both AMEP-1 and AMEP-2 is Manp-(1→4) and Glcp-(1→6), and the branched chains are connected to the main chain through O-6. AMEP-2 inhibited the proliferation of BGC-823 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. AMEP-2 also induced the apoptosis of BGC-823 cells, and showed anti-tumor effects by inducing cell cycle arrest in the S phase, reactive oxygen species production, and mitochondrial membrane potential reduction in BGC-823 cells. Therefore, AMEP-2 shows potential for further development as a novel anti-tumor agent.

Improvement of high-glucose and insulin resistance of chromium malate in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity signaling pathways and its mechanism

Previous study has revealed that chromium malate could improve insulin resistance and the regulation of fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetic rats. This study was designed to investigate the effect of chromium malate on hypoglycemic and improve insulin resistance activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance and investigate the acting mechanism. The result indicated that chromium malate exhibited direct hypoglycemic activity in vitro. Compared with the model group, chromium malate could significantly promote the expression levels of GLUT-4, Akt, Irs-1, PPARγ, PI3K and p38-MAPK and their mRNA, increase p-AKT/AKT level, AKT and AMPKβ1 phosphorylation and reduce Irs-1 phosphorylation and p-Irs-1/Irs-1 level in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p < 0.05). Chromium malate is more effective in regulating the proteins and mRNA expressions than those of chromium trichloride and chromium picolinate. Compared to the model group, pretreatment with the specific p38-MAPK inhibitor completely inhibited the GLUT-4 and Irs-1 proteins and mRNA expressions induced by the chromium malate. In conclusion, chromium malate had a beneficial influence on improvement of controlling glucose levels and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistance by regulating proteins productions and genes expressions in glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity signaling pathways.

Chromium malate could increase the related protein and mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin resistant. Pretreatment with the inhibitor completely/partially inhibited the GLUT-4 and Irs-1 proteins and mRNA expression compared to model group.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Medicinal and Edible Mushrooms

Obesity is a group of metabolic disorders caused by multiple factors, including heredity, diet, lifestyle, societal determinants, environment, and infectious agents, which can all lead to the enhancement of storage body fat. Excess visceral fat mass in adipose tissue generate several metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases with chronic inflammation based pathophysiology. The objective of the current review is to summarize the cellular mechanisms of obesity that attenuate by antioxidant potentials of medicinal and edible mushrooms. Studies have showed that mushrooms potentially have antioxidant capacities, which increase the antioxidant defense systems in cells. They boost anti-inflammatory actions and thereby protect against obesity-related hypertension and dyslipidemia. The practice of regular consumption of mushrooms is effective in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, and thus could be a good candidate for use in future pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications.