Molecular mass and antitumor activities of sulfated derivatives of alpha-glucan from Poria cocos mycelia

Chemical structures, extraction and analysis technologies, and bioactivities of edible fungal polysaccharides from Poria cocos: An updated review

Poria cocos is a popular medicinal food. Polysaccharides are the key component of Poria cocos, forming 70-90 % of the dry sclerotia mass. Recent studies indicate that Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP-Cs) have multiple beneficial functions and applications. A literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases. For this review, we provided an updated research progress in chemical structures, various extraction and analysis technologies, bioactivities of PCP-Cs, and insights into the directions for future research. The main polysaccharides identified in Poria cocos are water-soluble polysaccharides and acidic polysaccharides. Hot water, alkali, supercritical fluid, ultrasonic, enzyme, and deep eutectic solvent-based methods are the most common methods for PCP-Cs extraction. Technologies such as near-infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, are commonly used to evaluate the qualities of PCP-Cs. In addition, PCP-Cs have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroregulatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and gut microbiota regulatory properties. Future research is needed to focus on scaling up extraction, enhancing quality control, elucidating mechanisms of bioactivities, and the utilisation of PCP-Cs in food industries. Overall, Poria cocos is a good source of edible fungi polysaccharides, which can be developed into functional foods with potential health benefits.

Machine learning-based monosaccharide profiling for tissue-specific classification of Wolfiporia extensa samples

Machine learning (ML) has been used for many clinical decision-making processes and diagnostic procedures in bioinformatics applications. We examined eight algorithms, including linear discriminant analysis (LDA), logistic regression (LR), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), random forest (RF), gradient boosting machine (GBM), support vector machine (SVM), Naïve Bayes classifier (NB), and artificial neural network (ANN) models, to evaluate their classification and prediction capabilities for four tissue types in Wolfiporia extensa using their monosaccharide composition profiles. All 8 ML-based models were assessed as exemplary models with AUC exceeding 0.8. Five models, namely LDA, KNN, RF, GBM, and ANN, performed excellently in the four-tissue-type classification (AUC > 0.9). Additionally, all eight models were evaluated as good predictive models with AUC value > 0.8 in the three-tissue-type classification. Notably, all 8 ML-based methods outperformed the single linear discriminant analysis (LDA) plotting method. For large sample sizes, the ML-based methods perform better than traditional regression techniques and could potentially increase the accuracy in identifying tissue samples of W. extensa.

Polysaccharides from fungi: A review on their extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities

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A variety of extraction methods of polysaccharides from fungi are reviewed and compared.

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Purification methods, structure of fungal polysaccharides were reviewed.

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Diverse biological activities of fungal polysaccharides were outlined.

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Structure-activity relationships of fungal polysaccharides were discussed.

Fungi, as the unique natural resource, are rich in polysaccharides, proteins, fats, vitamins, and other components. Therefore, they have good medical and nutritional values. Polysaccharides are considered one of the most important bioactive components in fungi. Increasing researches have confirmed that fungal polysaccharides have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and radioprotective activities. Consequently, the research progresses and future prospects of fungal polysaccharides must be systematically reviewed to promote their better understanding. This paper reviewed the extraction, purification, structure, biological activity, and underlying molecular mechanisms of fungal polysaccharides. Moreover, the structure–activity relationships of fungal polysaccharides were emphasized and discussed. This review can provide scientific basis for the research and industrial utilization of fungal polysaccharides.

A review on the advances in the extraction methods and structure elucidation of Poria cocos polysaccharide and its pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications

Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP) is one of the main active components of Poria cocos that is extensively used in the world. PCP can be divided into intro-polysaccharides and exopolysaccharides. PCP is mainly composed of glucose, galactose and mannose. There are many methods to exact PCP, and methods can affect its yield. PCP and its derivatives exhibit diverse biological functions such as antitumour, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulatory, hepatoprotective, etc. There is the potential application of PCP as drug carriers. The review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest extraction and purification methods of PCP, its chemistry, synthesis of PCP derivates, their pharmacological activities and their applications as drug carriers. This review provides comprehensive information on PCP, which can be used as the basis for further research on PCP and its derivates.

The Traditional Usages, Chemical Components and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos: A Review

As an endemic species,Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb. is widely distributed, such as in China, Korea, Japan, and North America, which have had a dual-purpose resource for medicines and food for over 2000 years. The applications of W. cocos were used to treat diseases including edema, insomnia, spleen deficiency, and vomiting. What's more, there have been wide uses of such edible fungi as a function food or dietary supplement recently. Up until now, 166 kinds of chemical components have been isolated and identified from W. cocos including triterpenes, polysaccharides, sterols, diterpenes, and others. Modern pharmacological studies showed that the components hold a wide range of pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidant, and antidepressant activities. In addition, present results showed that the mechanisms of pharmacological activities were closely related to chemical structures, molecular signaling paths and the expression of relate proteins for polysaccharides and triterpenes. For further in-depth studies on this fungus based on the recent research status, this review provided some perspectives and systematic summaries of W. cocos in traditional uses, chemical components, pharmacological activities, separation and analysis technologies, and structure-activity relationships.

Structure, immunostimulatory activity, and the effect of ameliorating airway inflammation of polysaccharides from Pyrus sinkiangensis Yu

Purified acid polysaccharides PSAP-1 and PSAP-2 with apparent molecular weights of 64.6 and 38.9 kDa, respectively, were isolated from Pyrus sinkiangensis Yu. through combined techniques of ion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography. Both polysaccharides were composed of predominant amounts of GalA and small amounts of Ara, Rha, and Gal. They are deduced to be native pectin-type polysaccharides containing the HG backbone consisting of α-1,4-GalAp and methyl-esterified α-1,4-GalAp residues by IR, GC-MS and NMR spectra analyses. The immunoregulatory activity test showed that PSAP-1 and PSAP-2 could increase the cell viability and the release of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α on the RAW264.7 macrophage. It indicated that PSAP-1 and PSAP-2 could increase macrophage-mediated immunostimulatory activity. The airway inflammation test of antiasthmatic mice showed that PSAP-1 could decrease the contents of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 and the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and improve the pathological changes in lung tissue. PSAP-1 could also decrease the amount of mucus secreted by goblet cells and the expression levels of NF-κB p65, IκBα, IKK, ERK, JNK, P38, and Muc5ac mRNA and increase the expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissues. This suggested that PSAP-1 may resist airway inflammation in mice. PSAP-1 and PSAP-2 had potential clinical application value.

Structural characterization of a polysaccharide from Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench (okra) and its hypoglycemic effect and mechanism on type 2 diabetes mellitus

A novel acidic polysaccharide named AeP-P-1 was prepared from Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench (okra).

Structural modification and biological activities of carboxymethyl Pachymaran

Polysaccharides are good chelating agents for metal ions, which are often used to synthesize polysaccharide metal ion complexes. With carboxymethyl pachymaran (CMP) as the substrate, carboxymethyl pachymaran iron (CMPF), carboxymethyl pachymaran selenium (CMPS), and carboxymethyl pachymaran zinc (CMPZ) were synthesized by response surface methodology, and their biological characteristics were studied. The results showed that the CMP was a β-polysaccharide, and the degree of carboxymethylation was 0.6352. The polysaccharide metal ion complexes were characterized by physicochemical methods, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All the polysaccharides and complexes possessed antioxidant activity in vitro with scavenging activities to ABTS, superoxide anions, and ferrous ions. CMPF, CMPS, and CMPZ caused significant inhibition of A2780 cell proliferation, promoted the production of reactive oxygen species, and induced apoptosis in a human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780 cells). These results suggest that the CMP complex may be an effective candidate drug for cancer treatment in the field of functional food and pharmacology.

Characterization and Evaluation of the Pro-Coagulant and Immunomodulatory Activities of Polysaccharides from Bletilla striata

Bletilla striata is widely used for stanching bleeding. In this study, polysaccharides from B. striata (BSP) were extracted by hot water. Four polysaccharides named BSP-1-BSP-4 were fractionated using DEAE-52 cellulose. BSP fractions contained sulfate, and the degrees of substitution of BSP-3 and BSP-4 were 1.59 and 1.70, respectively. Analysis of monosaccharide composition showed that four polysaccharides were mainly composed of mannan and glucose. The in vitro results showed that BSP-1-BSP-4 elicited pro-coagulant capacities by shortening the activating partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and thrombin time and elevating the fibrinogen content. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by MTT assay, the pinocytic capacity and NO production. Although BSP fractions did not affect RAW 264.7 cell viability, they, especially BSP-2, enhanced the immunomodulatory activity by increasing the pinocytic capacity and NO production. Overall, BSP may be developed as a potential coagulant with immunomodulatory effects.

Pharmacological and metagenomics evidence of polysaccharide from Polygonum multiflorum in the alleviation of insulin resistance

Total polysaccharide from Polygonum multiflorum (PS) and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) could relieve high-fat and high-sugar diet (HF-HSD) induced rats' insulin resistance (IR) by gut microbiota and host regulation. We found that PS and TSG significantly reversed the increase of fasting blood glucose and the decrease of glucose tolerance in HF-HSD induced IR rats. PS and TSG effectively reversed the imbalance of Firmicutes/Bacteroides caused by an HF-HSD, and significantly reduced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria. It also affected the functional genes of gut microbiota and regulated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and its downstream signal protein molecules. Together, these results indicated that PS and TSG alleviated HF-HSD induced IR by promoting gut microbiota and host function. Thus, PS and TSG may be promising lead substances for developing IR inhibitors that could regulate gut microbiota and its molecular messenger SCFAs to remedy IR.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Bioactive Immunoregulatory Products

Mushrooms have been valued as food and health supplements by humans for centuries. They are rich in dietary fiber, essential amino acids, minerals, and many bioactive compounds, especially those related to human immune system functions. Mushrooms contain diverse immunoregulatory compounds such as terpenes and terpenoids, lectins, fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) and polysaccharides. The distributions of these compounds differ among mushroom species and their potent immune modulation activities vary depending on their core structures and fraction composition chemical modifications. Here we review the current status of clinical studies on immunomodulatory activities of mushrooms and mushroom products. The potential mechanisms for their activities both in vitro and in vivo were summarized. We describe the approaches that have been used in the development and application of bioactive compounds extracted from mushrooms. These developments have led to the commercialization of a large number of mushroom products. Finally, we discuss the problems in pharmacological applications of mushrooms and mushroom products and highlight a few areas that should be improved before immunomodulatory compounds from mushrooms can be widely used as therapeutic agents.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb

Poria cocos is the dried sclerotium of Wolfiporia cocos (F.A. Wolf) Ryvarden & Gilb., which was the current accepted name and was formerly known as Macrohyporia cocos (Schwein.) I. Johans. & Ryvarden, Pachyma cocos (Schwein.) Fr., Poria cocos F.A. Wolf and Sclerotium cocos Schwein. It is one of the most important crude drugs in traditional Chinese medicine, with a wide range of applications in ameliorating phlegm and edema, relieving nephrosis and chronic gastritis and improving uneasiness of minds. Its extensive pharmacological effects have attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, there is no systematic review focusing on the chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of Poria cocos. Therefore, this review aimed to provide the latest information on the chemical compounds and pharmacological effects of Poria cocos, exploring the therapeutic potential of these compounds. We obtained the information of Poria cocos from electronic databases such as SCI finder, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang DATA and Google Scholar. Up to now, two main active ingredients, triterpenes and polysaccharides of Poria cocos, have been identified from Poria cocos. It has been reported that they have pharmacological effects on anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, and liver and kidney protection. The review summarizes the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Poria cocos, which suggest that researchers should focus on the development of new drugs about Poria cocos to make them exert greater therapeutic potential.

Structure-Functional Activity Relationship of β-Glucans From the Perspective of Immunomodulation: A Mini-Review

β-Glucans are a heterogeneous group of glucose polymers with a common structure comprising a main chain of β-(1,3) and/or β-(1,4)-glucopyranosyl units, along with side chains with various branches and lengths. β-Glucans initiate immune responses via immune cells, which become activated by the binding of the polymer to specific receptors. However, β-glucans from different sources also differ in their structure, conformation, physical properties, binding affinity to receptors, and thus biological functions. The mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. This mini-review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date commentary on the relationship between β-glucans' structure and function in relation to their use for immunomodulation.

Preparation and evaluation of the adjuvant effect of curdlan sulfate in improving the efficacy of dendritic cell-based vaccine for antitumor immunotherapy

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccine immunotherapy applies tumor antigens or tumor cell lysate (TCL)-pulsed DCs to induce an antigen-specific immune response to attack cancer cells. However, tumor antigen alone has limited immunostimulatory effects, and so immunostimulants are needed to prepare mature DCs. In our previous study, curdlan sulfate (CS) showed potent adjuvant properties with the HBV vaccine; therefore, we attempted to use CS to mature TCL-pulsed DCs. We first prepared four CSs (CS1-CS4) with different sulfation (S) degrees and molecular weights (MWs), then studied the structure-activity relationship of CS in vitro and finally screened CS3 (14.316% S content and 30.66 kDa MW) as the DC vaccine adjuvant. An in vivo study showed that a DC vaccine adjuvanted with CS3 significantly prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice, reduced tumor burden and inhibited tumor growth. The CS3-adjuvanted DC vaccine increased CD80, MHC-I and MHC-II expression, promoted CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, upregulated TNF-α and IFN-γ transcription, and downregulated TGF-β transcription in tumor tissues. A preliminary mechanism study showed that CS activated DCs mainly via the TLR4 and TLR2 signalling pathways. Based on these results, we concluded that CS3 is a potential adjuvant for DC vaccines and is worth studying for tumor immunotherapy.

Sulfated polysaccharides from Rhodiola sachalinensis reduce d-gal-induced oxidative stress in NIH 3T3 cells

In this study, three sulfated polysaccharides (S-RSP_1-2, S-RSP_1-4 and S-RSP_1-8) from Rhodiola sachalinensis were produced by chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method. d-gal was used to develop an oxidative stress model in the mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3. Effects of the three sulfated polysaccharides on d-gal-induced oxidative stress were investigated. The results showed that S-RSP_1-4 improved the viability of the d-gal-induced oxidative stress in NIH 3T3 cells. The sulfated polysaccharides were found to have a better protective effect against d-gal-induced oxidative stress as compared to the native polysaccharide. Scanning electronmicroscopy also showed a significant change in the surface morphology of sulfated polysaccharides. In addition, the sulfated polysaccharides had noticeable DPPH radical-scavenging activity. In summary, our results demonstrated that d-gal was able to induce oxidative stress in NIH 3T3 cells, and sulfated group might play an important role in resistance to d-gal-induced oxidative damage.

Adjuvant activity of PCP-II, a polysaccharide from Poria cocos, on a whole killed rabies vaccine

Adjuvants are important components of vaccination strategies because they boost and accelerate the immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the adjuvant activity of PCP-II, a polysaccharide isolated from Poria cocos, together with an inactivated rabies vaccine. The polysaccharide PCP-II was compared with the common veterinary rabies vaccine adjuvant Alhydrogel by co-administration of either adjuvant with the inactivated rabies virus rCVS-11-G to mice via the intramuscular route. Blood samples were collected to determine the virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titer and assess activation of B and T lymphocytes. Inguinal lymph node samples were collected, and proliferation of B lymphocytes was measured. Splenocytes were isolated, and antigen-specific cellular immune responses were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunospot and immunosorbent assays (ELISpot assay and ELISA, respectively). The results showed that PCP-II enhanced and promoted an increase in the VNA titer in the mice compared to Alhydrogel. Flow cytometry assays revealed that the polysaccharide activated more B lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and more B and T lymphocytes in the blood. Assessment of antigen-specific cellular immune responses showed that PCP-II strongly induced T lymphocyte proliferation in the spleen and high levels of cytokine secretion from splenocytes. All of these data suggest that PCP-II possesses excellent adjuvant activity and enhances both cellular and humoral immunity in mice. After examining the adjuvant activities of PCP-II in mice, dogs were immunized with rCVS-11-G together with Alhydrogel or PCP-II as an adjuvant; the control group was injected with a commercial rabies vaccine. Serum samples were collected, and the VNA titers were measured. PCP-II caused increases in the VNA titers in both the booster and single-dose immunization tests when co-administered with rCVS-11-G compared with Alhydrogel. The VNA titer of the commercial vaccine group was also significantly lower than that of the PCP-II group. These data indicate that PCP-II is an excellent candidate adjuvant for inactive rabies vaccines in the veterinary setting.

Purification, antitumor and anti-inflammation activities of an alkali-soluble and carboxymethyl polysaccharide CMP33 from Poria cocos

A carboxymethyl polysaccharide CMP33 (15.23 × 10⁴ Da) was isolated from edible and pharmaceutical mushroom Poria cocos using alkaline extraction followed by DEAE-52 and Saphadex-G200 + Saphadex-G150 column chromatographies. The structure analysis showed that CMP33 was composed of glucosyl residues containing a backbone chain of (1 → 3)-linked glucose residues and side chains of (1 → 6) and (1 → 2)-linked glucose residues, and possessed triple-helix structure. Bioassay results revealed that CMP33 displayed a dose-dependent inhibition on 5 cancer cells (HepG-2, MCF-7, SGC-7901, A549) in the range of 31.25-1000 μg/mL, but low cytotoxicity on normal liver cells L-O2. Moreover, CMP33 stimulated NO release and cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), and also inhibited LPS-stimulated overproduction of NO, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that CMP33 possessed anticancer, anti-inflammation and immune-stimulation activities, and potential for developing as a bioactive ingredient in functional foods.

Effect of sulfation and partial hydrolysis of polysaccharides from Polygonatum sibiricum on immune-enhancement

The aqueous polysaccharide from Polygonatum sibiricum was extracted and fractionated using anion-exchange chromatography to obtain F₁ fraction. The F₁ was chemically sulfated and partially acid-hydrolyzed for the production of its over-sulfated (OS_1,2,3) and hydrolyzed (HP_1,2,3) derivatives, in which the sulfate content of OS_1,2,3 was 7.5-17.1%, and the M_w of HP_1,2,3 ranged from 18.2 × 10³ to 57.3 × 10³ g/mol. Considerable RAW264.7 cell activation was observed by HP_1,2,3 with NO production of 34.9, 44.3 and 42.7 μM, respectively, as well as the mRNA expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12). NK cell cytotoxicity against HT-29 cell was facilitated by OS_1,2,3 treatment with the increased gene expressions of INF-γ, Granzyme-B, perforin, NKG2D, and FasL. RAW264.7 cells appeared to be activated via MR and TLR4 mediated signaling pathway, but CR3 and TRL2 might play a main role in stimulating NK cells. Overall, the present study suggests the potential application of polysaccharides from P. sibiricum in functional foods and pharmacological industries.

Isolation and chemical characteristics of rhamnose enriched polysaccharide from Grateloupia lithophila

The crude polysaccharide was extracted from Grateloupia lithophila through hot-water extraction and deproteinization. Further, fractionated by anion-exchange column using Q-Sepharose and purified by gel-permeation chromatography using Sepharose 4-LB column. The crude and purified polysaccharide contains high carbohydrate (75.7 and 89.7%), ash (18.2 and 3.2%) and moisture (14.8 and 1.3%); the protein and uronic acid were absent. The molecular weight of crude, fractionated and purified polysaccharide was found to be 37 kDa, 29 kDa and 24 kDa. The monosaccharide composition of the crude polysaccharide was found to be having rhamnose (79.82%), fructose (8.38%), galactose (3.95%), xylose (3.31%) and glucose (1.48%); whereas the purified polysaccharide reported higher amount of rhamnose (95.88%), 1.13% of xylose and 2.21% of fructose. The structural elucidation of the purified polysaccharide was conformed as α-l-rhamnose through polarimetry, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Marburg virus-like particles by co-expression of glycoprotein and matrix protein in insect cells induces immune responses in mice

Background

Marburg virus (MARV) causes severe haemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates and has a high mortality rate. However, effective drugs or licensed vaccines are not currently available to control the outbreak and spread of this disease.

Methods

In this study, we generated MARV virus-like particles (VLPs) by co-expressing the glycoprotein (GP) and matrix protein (VP40) using the baculovirus expression system. MARV VLPs and three adjuvants, Poria cocos polysaccharide (PCP-II), poly(I:C) and aluminium hydroxide, were evaluated after intramuscular vaccination in mice.

Results

Murine studies demonstrated that vaccination with the MARV VLPs induce neutralizing antibodies and cellar immune responses. MARV VLPs and the PCP-II adjuvant group resulted in high titres of MARV-specific antibodies, activated relatively higher numbers of B cells and T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and induced greater cytokine secretion from splenocytes than the other adjuvants.

Conclusion

MARV VLPs with the PCP-II adjuvant may constitute an effective vaccination and PCP-II should be further investigated as a novel adjuvant.

Selection and validation of reference genes for normalization of quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fuling)

Background

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) requires a stable internal control to avoid misinterpretation of data or errors for gene expression normalization. However, there are still no validated reference genes for stable internal control in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fuling). This study aims to validate the reference genes of P. cocos.

Methods

This study firstly collected the 14 candidate reference genes by BLASTP from the genome of P. cocos for qRT-PCR analysis to determine the expression levels of 14 housekeeping genes (GAPDH, MAPK, β-Act, RPB2, RPB1-1, RPB1-2, his3-1, his3-2, APT, SAMDC, RP, β-Tub, EIF, and CYP) under different temperatures and in response to different plant hormones (indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellic acid), and the threshold cycle (C_t) values. The results were analyzed by four programs (i.e., geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) for evaluating the candidate reference genes.

Results

SAMDC, his3-2, RP, RPB2, and his3-1 were recommended as reference genes for treating P. cocos with indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellic acid, respectively. Under different temperatures RPB2 was the most stable reference gene. CYP was the most stable gene for all 90 samples by RefFinder.

Conclusion

SAMDC, his3-2, RP, RPB2, and his3-1 were evaluated to be suitable reference genes for P. cocos following different treatments. RPB2 was the most stable reference gene under different temperatures and CYP was the most stable gene in the mycelia under all six evaluated conditions.

Biological activities of derivatized D-glucans: a review

D-Glucans have triggered increasing interest in commercial applications in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors because of their technological properties and biological activities. The glucans are foremost among the polysaccharide groups produced by microorganisms with demonstrated activity in stimulating the immune system, and have potential in treating human disease conditions. Chemical alterations in the structure of D-glucans through derivatization (sulfonylation, carboxymethylation, phosphorylation, acetylation) contributes to their increased solubility that, in turn, can alter their biological activities such as antioxidation and anticoagulation. This review surveys and cites the latest advances on the biological and technological potential of D-glucans following chemical modifications through sulfonylation, carboxymethylation, phosphorylation or acetylation, and discusses the findings of their activities. Several studies suggest that chemically modified d-glucans have potentiated biological activity as anticoagulants, antitumors, antioxidants, and antivirals. This review shows that in-depth future studies on chemically modified glucans with amplified biological effects will be relevant in the biotechnological field because of their potential to prevent and treat numerous human disease conditions and their clinical complications.

Mycology, cultivation, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Wolfiporia cocos (Schwein.) Ryvarden et Gilb.: a review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wolfiporia cocos (Schwein.) Ryvarden et Gilb. has a long history as a Chinese traditional medicine with uses of inducing diuresis, excreting dampness, invigorating the spleen, and tranquilizing the mind. Recently, Wolfiporia cocos has received increasing interest, and phytochemical and pharmacological studies have validated the traditional uses of this species.

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

To provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the mycology, cultivation, traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities aspects of Wolfiporia cocos in order to highlight its ethnopharmacological use and to explore its therapeutic potentials and to provide a basis for future research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The accessible literature, from 1980 to 2012, on Wolfiporia cocos written in English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Turkish were selected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The phytochemical and modern pharmacological studies demonstrated that Wolfiporia cocos possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-rejection, nematicidal, anti-hyperglycemic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertonic stress activities, which could be explained by the presence of various triterpenes and polysaccharides.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern phytochemical and pharmacological investigations showed that major active components separated from Wolfiporia cocos had anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-rejection activities, and so on. Further investigations are needed to explore the relationship of the molecular mass, chain stiffness, and water solubility of polysaccharide from Wolfiporia cocos with the antitumor activities.

Characterization and cytotoxic activity of sulfated derivatives of polysaccharides from Agaricus brasiliensis

Agaricus brasiliensis cell-wall polysaccharides isolated from fruiting body (FR) and mycelium (MI) and their respective sulfated derivatives (FR-S and MI-S) were chemically characterized using elemental analysis, TLC, FT-IR, NMR, HPLC, and thermal analysis. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated against A549 tumor cells by MTT and sulforhodamine assays. The average molecular weight (Mw) of FR and MI was estimated to be 609 and 310 kDa, respectively. FR-S (127 kDa) and MI-S (86 kDa) had lower Mw, probably due to hydrolysis occurring during the sulfation reaction. FR-S and MI-S presented ~14% sulfur content in elemental analysis. Sulfation of samples was characterized by the appearance of two new absorption bands at 1253 and 810 cm(-1) in the infrared spectra, related to S=O and C-S-O sulfate groups, respectively. Through (1)H and (13)C NMR analysis FR-S was characterized as a (1→6)-(1→3)-β-D-glucan fully sulfated at C-4 and C-6 terminal and partially sulfated at C-6 of (1→3)-β-D-glucan moiety. MI-S was shown to be a (1→3)-β-D-gluco-(1→2)-β-D-mannan, partially sulfated at C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-6, and fully sulfated at C-6 of the terminal residues. The combination of high degree of sulfation and low molecular weight was correlated with the increased cytotoxic activity (48 h of treatment) of both FR-S (EC₅₀=605.6 μg/mL) and MI-S (EC₅₀=342.1 μg/mL) compared to the non-sulfated polysaccharides FR and MI (EC₅₀>1500 μg/mL).

Effects of sulfated polysaccharide from Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) pollen on the proliferation and cell cycle of HepG2 cells

AIM

To explore the inhibitory effect of sulfated polysaccharide from Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) pollen (SPPM60) on G2/M phase of human liver cancer HepG2 cells and its mechanism.

METHODS

The proliferation rate of HepG2 cells was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. The cycles of HepG2 cells were measured by flow cytometry when 200μg/ml concentration of SPPM60 was adopted, the expression of the genes related to cell cycle was detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

SPPM60 inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and the inhibition rate was elevated with increase of SPPM60 concentration. After treatment with 200μg/ml of SPPM60, the percentage of S phase cells was decreased, but that of G2/M phase was significantly increased (72h vs control: 32.96±0.33% vs 18.59±0.04%, 3.44±0.05% vs 18.30±0.08%, P<0.01). The results of real-time PCR showed that SPPM60 could down-regulate the mRNA levels of CDK1 and CyclinB (P<0.01), and up-regulate the expression of p53 and p21 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

SPPM60 causes arrest of HepG2 cells at G2/M phase, and the mechanism is related to the down-regulation of CDK1 and CyclinB and up-regulation of p53 and p21 expression.