Properties and biological functions of polysaccharides and ethanolic extracts isolated from medicinal fungus, Fomitopsis pinicola

Evaluation of Bioactive Attributes and Emulsification Potential of Exopolysaccharide Produced by a Brown-rot Fungus Fomitopsis meliae AGDP-2

Mushrooms possess wide array of biologically active secondary metabolites and have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) is one of such bioactive metabolites. The bioactive attributes and emulsification capabilities of the exopolysaccharides produced by a novel brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis meliae AGDP-2 under submerged fermentation has been thoroughly investigated in the present study. Exopolysaccharide displayed anti-oxidant activities in dose dependent manner with the maximum scavenging of ABTS radicals (42.45%), DPPH radicals (75.34%), Hydroxyl radicals (63.64%), Superoxide anion radical (76.54%) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power with IC₅₀ value of 231 µg/mL. Additionally, evaluation of anti-proliferative properties revealed that EPS significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 and HT-29 cancer cells followed by moderate inhibition of HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines and quite less inhibition of L-132 and KB cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of EPS for the abovementioned cell lines are 9.465 µg/mL, 11.25 µg/mL, 38.98 µg/mL, 87.78 µg/mL, 2061 µg/mL and 2361 µg/mL respectively. Moreover EPS also possess good anti-microbial as well as anti-biofilm properties. The studies on emulsification potential described that EPS is good emulsifier of different vegetable oils and the emulsion formed was quite stable up to 144 h.

Lectin from Laetiporus sulphureus effectively inhibits angiogenesis and tumor development in the zebrafish xenograft models of colorectal carcinoma and melanoma

In spite of extensive usage of Laetiporus sulphureus (sulphur polypore) in traditional European and Asian ethno-medicine for centuries, its anticancer therapeutic potential and toxicity profile remained explored in animal models. Herein, using zebrafish (Danio rerio), as a preclinical animal model, we demonstrated that L. sulphureus lectin (LSL) and ethanol extract (LSE) are non-toxic at high doses up to 400-500 μg/mL, while they effectively inhibited angiogenesis and cancer development at much lower doses. Lectin showed 74-fold higher anti-angiogenic potency than the extract, and even 378-fold higher therapeutic potential than sunitinib-malate, cardiotoxic and myelosupressive anti-angiogenic drug of clinical relevance. Using wound healing and MTT assays, we proved LSL's strong antimigratory effect and selective endothelial cytotoxicity in relation to lung fibroblasts. In addition, employing the zebrafish xenograft models, we demonstrated that LSL almost completely reduced growth, neovascularization and metastasis of human colorectal carcinoma and mouse melanoma. Even more, LSL exerted 8-fold higher potency towards colorectal carcinoma than melanoma, showing markedly higher activity than cisplatin, while LSE failed to express any anticancer activity. Accompanied with non-toxic response, including neutropenia and inflammation, the results of this study strongly imply that LSL could be used as safe adjuvant in chemotherapy against colorectal carcinoma and melanoma.

Bioassay-guided purification of sesquiterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Fomitopsis pinicola and their anti-inflammatory activity

Twelve undescribed sesquiterpenoids, fomitopins A–L (1–12), were isolated via bioassay-guided purification from the bracket fungus Fomitopsis pinicola which has been reported to exhibit anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Extraction, isolation and MALDI-QTOF MS/MS analysis of β-d-Glucan from the fruiting bodies of Daedalea quercina

We report for the first time the extraction, isolation, and the proposed structure of a polysaccharide from the fruiting bodies of Daedalea quercina. The monosaccharide composition of D. quercina isolate (DQW1Pa1) was mainly glucose as identified using GC-MS. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and absolute configuration studies showed that this polysaccharide is a β-d-glucan. Its average molecular weight obtained using size exclusion chromatography was 1.6×10⁴Da, consistent with glucans derived from the order Polyporaceae. MALDI-QTOF MS/MS was carried out to identify the linkage and connectivity of the glucose units. Collision Induced Dissociation (CID) of selected parent ions of different oligosaccharide lengths showed the presence of characteristic glycosidic bond cleavages B_n/C_n, the linear backbone by 1-6 linkage, and the cross-ring fragment, ^0,3A_n. Presence of branching unit was identified from high intensity ^0,3A₄ fragment and verified from diagnostic ion of [D] and [D-H₂O] types. To confirm the linkage assignment obtained using MALDI-QTOF MS/MS, DQW1Pa1 was subjected to methylation analysis. Results showed the presence of 1-3, 1-6, 1- and 1-3-6 linked glucose in the order of decreasing abundance, respectively. The repeating unit of isolate DQW1Pa1 was deduced as 1-3 linked linear glucose backbone with branches composed of three 1-3 linked glucose units connected to backbone by 1-6 linkage.

Different extraction methodologies and their influence on the bioactivity of the wild edible mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill

Laetiporus sulphureus is an edible wood-rooting basidiomycete. The nutritional and medicinal properties of this mushroom have long been known by traditional practitioners. The aim of this study was to determine the proximate composition, total phenol antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activities of different extracts of L. sulphureus. Different extraction methodologies, including high energy techniques, were employed and their effect was examined on the activity of the extracts. Optimum extraction methodologies (classical and ultrasound-assisted) provided one fraction containing neutral and polar lipids and the other fraction containing fungal carotenoids and pigments. Fatty acid analysis indicated a predominant level of polyunsaturated fatty acids followed by saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids. Both the aqueous methanolic and water extracts contained higher TPC and showed better antioxidant capacity than the ethanolic extract. Irrespective of the type of extraction applied, L. sulphureus showed good antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacteria and fungi, being in some cases stronger than the used antibiotics and mycotics. Therefore, this edible mushroom could be considered as a positive candidate to be utilised by the food industry, not only for obtaining bioactive compounds to be used as natural antioxidants/antimicrobial agents, but possibly also for its nutritional value and health benefits.

Microanalysis characterization of bioactive protein-bound polysaccharides produced by Amanita ponderosa cultures

Different compounds of edible mushrooms are responsible for their bioactivity. The ability to synthesize polysaccharides, namely protein-polysaccharide (PPS) complexes, is related to the antioxidant capacity of these compounds and present great interest in preventing a number of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and auto-immune diseases, and accelerated aging. Amanita ponderosa are wild edible mushrooms that grow in Mediterranean "montado" areas [Portuguese name given to cork oak (Quercus suber) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) forests]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of PPS complexes obtained from A. ponderosa cultures using a new microanalytical approach to quickly and easily monitor the production process. Microanalysis using Fourier-transform infrared using attenuated total reflection and Raman spectroscopy of PPS samples showed spectra compatible with identification of this type of compound in culture extracts. PPS separated by size-exclusion chromatography showed seven main complexes. Molecular weights of the main PPS complexes isolated from cultures ranged between 1.5 and 20 kDa and did not present toxicity against Artemia salina, demonstrating the potential of A. ponderosa as a source of biologically active compounds with nutraceutical value. Application of this microanalytical approach to monitoring the production of PPS compounds can be successfully applied in biotechnological processes.

A comparative study on edible Agaricus mushrooms as functional foods

Agaricus bisporus is a cultivated mushroom; A. bitorquis, A. campestris and A. macrosporus are edible mushrooms growing wild in nature.

Mushrooms: a potential natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds for medical applications

For centuries, macrofungi have been used as food and medicine in different parts of the world. This is mainly attributed to their nutritional value as a potential source of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and minerals. In addition, they also include many bioactive metabolites which make mushrooms and truffles common components in folk medicine, especially in Africa, the Middle East, China, and Japan. The reported medicinal effects of mushrooms include anti-inflammatory effects, with anti-inflammatory compounds of mushrooms comprising a highly diversified group in terms of their chemical structure. They include polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and many other low molecular weight molecules. The aims of this review are to report the different types of bioactive metabolites and their relevant producers, as well as the different mechanisms of action of mushroom compounds as potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Antioxidant and electrochemical properties of cultivated Pleurotus spp. and their sporeless/low sporing mutants

Methanolic extracts of four cultivated edible mushrooms of Pleurotus spp. namely Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus cystidiosus and Pleurotus djamor along with the sporeless/low sporing mutants of Pleurotus florida, and Pleurotus sajor-caju were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using different chemical assays. The electrochemical behaviors of these extracts were also analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Results showed that scavenging effects on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals were good (73.3-42.4 %) at 1.5 mg/ml. At 12 mg/ml, the reducing powers (2.54-1.71) and chelating effects on ferrous ions (56.0-78.5 %) were excellent. H2O2 scavenging abilities at 1.5 mg/ml showed a wide range (20.0-85.4 %). Scavenging of superoxide radicals were excellent and were found to be in the range of 61.1-90.0 % at 16 mg/ml concentration. FRAP results were in the range of 1.20 - 0.98 at 16 mg/ml. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts ranged from 22.67 to 36.03 mg/g and 1.19-2.94 μg/g respectively. The study assessed the amount of variation in antioxidant activities exhibited by different cultivated species and their sporeless/low sporing mutants.

European medicinal polypores--a modern view on traditional uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal-spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

RESULTS

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.

Antioxidant and electrochemical properties of cultivated Pleurotus spp. and their sporeless/low sporing mutants

Methanolic extracts of four cultivated edible mushrooms of Pleurotus spp. namely Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus cystidiosus and Pleurotus djamor along with the sporeless/low sporing mutants of Pleurotus florida, and Pleurotus sajor-caju were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using different chemical assays. The electrochemical behaviors of these extracts were also analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Results showed that scavenging effects on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals were good (73.3-42.4 %) at 1.5 mg/ml. At 12 mg/ml, the reducing powers (2.54-1.71) and chelating effects on ferrous ions (56.0-78.5 %) were excellent. H2O2 scavenging abilities at 1.5 mg/ml showed a wide range (20.0-85.4 %). Scavenging of superoxide radicals were excellent and were found to be in the range of 61.1-90.0 % at 16 mg/ml concentration. FRAP results were in the range of 1.20 - 0.98 at 16 mg/ml. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts ranged from 22.67 to 36.03 mg/g and 1.19-2.94 μg/g respectively. The study assessed the amount of variation in antioxidant activities exhibited by different cultivated species and their sporeless/low sporing mutants.

Medium optimization for exopolysaccharide production in liquid culture of endophytic fungus Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12

Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12, an endophytic fungus from Dioscorea zingiberensis, is a high producer of spirobisnaphthalenes with various bioactivities. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by this fungus also shows excellent antioxidant activity. In this study, the experimental designs based on statistics were employed to evaluate and optimize the medium for EPS production in liquid culture of Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12. For increasing EPS yield, the concentrations of glucose, peptone, KH(2)PO(4), MgSO(4)·7H(2)O and FeSO(4)·7H(2)O in medium were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Both the fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD) were applied to optimize the main factors which significantly affected EPS production. The concentrations of glucose, peptone and MgSO(4)·7H(2)O were found to be the main effective factors for EPS production by FFD experimental analysis. Based on the further CCD optimization and RSM analysis, a quadratic polynomial regression equation was derived from the EPS yield and three variables. Statistical analysis showed the polynomial regression model was in good agreement with the experimental results with the determination coefficient (adj-R(2)) as 0.9434. By solving the quadratic regression equation, the optimal concentrations of glucose, peptone and MgSO(4)·7H(2)O for EPS production were determined as 63.80, 20.76 and 2.74 g/L, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the predicted EPS yield reached the maximum (13.22 g/L). Verification experiment confirmed the validity with the actual EPS yield as 13.97 g/L, which was 6.29-fold in comparison with that (2.22 g/L) in the original basal medium. The results provide the support data for EPS production in large scale and also speed up the application of Berkleasmium sp. Dzf12.