Insights into health-promoting effects of Jew's ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

Insights into chemical components, health-promoting effects, and processing impact of golden chanterelle mushroom Cantharellus cibarius

Cantharellus cibarius (CC) is a culinary mushroom with significant commercial potential due to its diverse components and bioactive functions. CC is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and aroma compounds while being low in fat and calories. Moreover, CC contains an abundance of bioactive substances including phenolic compounds, vitamin precursors, and indole derivatives. Numerous studies have claimed that CC has diverse functions such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and prebiotic effects in in vivo or in vitro settings. In addition, a variety of thermal, physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods have been investigated for the processing and preservation of CC. Consequently, this study aims to present a comprehensive review of the chemical composition, health benefits, and processing techniques of CC. Furthermore, the issue of heavy metal accumulation in CC has been indicated and discussed. The study highlights the potential of CC as a functional food in the future while providing valuable insights for future research and identifying areas requiring further investigation.

Melanin in Auricularia auricula: biosynthesis, production, physicochemical characterization, biological functions, and applications

Auricularia auricular (A. auricula), a nutritious fungus and traditional medicinal resource, is known for melanin. This review aims to summarize the research progress on melanin in A. auricula, specifically focusing on biosynthesis, fermentation production, extraction processes, physicochemical characterization, biological functions, and applications. The biosynthesis of melanin in A. auricula primarily involves the oxidative polymerization reaction of phenolic compounds. To enhance melanin production, strategies such as deep fermentation culture, selection of optimal fermentation materials, and optimization of the culture medium have been employed. Various extraction processes have been compared to determine their impact on the physicochemical properties and stability of melanin. Moreover, the antioxidant and antibiofilm activities of A. auricula melanin, as well as its potential beneficial effects on the human body through in vivo experiments, have been investigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the application of A. auricula melanin and serve as a reference for future research in this field.

Graphical abstract

Synchronous reducing anti-nutritional factors and enhancing biological activity of soybean by the fermentation of edible fungus Auricularia auricula

Auricularia auricula fermentation was performed to reduce anti-nutritional factors, improve nutritional components, and enhance biological activity of soybean. Results showed that the contents of raffinose, stachyose, and trypsin inhibitor were significantly decreased from initial 1.65 g L-1, 1.60 g L-1, and 284.67 μg g-1 to 0.14 g L-1, 0.35 g L-1, and 4.52 μg g-1 after 144 h of fermentation, respectively. Simultaneously, the contents of polysaccharide, total phenolics, and total flavonoids were increased, and melanin was secreted. The isoflavone glycosides were converted to their aglycones, and the contents of glyctin and genistin were decreased from initial 1107.99 μg g-1 and 2852.26 μg g-1 to non-detection after 72 h of fermentation, respectively. After 96 h of fermentation, the IC50 values of samples against DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging were decreased from 17.61 mg mL-1 and 3.43 mg mL-1 to 4.63 mg mL-1 and 0.89 mg mL-1, and those of samples inhibiting α-glucosidase and angiotensin I-converting enzyme were decreased from 53.89 mg mL-1 and 11.27 mg mL-1 to 18.24 mg mL-1 and 6.78 mg mL-1, respectively, indicating the significant increase in these bioactivities. These results suggested A. auricula fermentation can enhance the nutritional quality and biological activity of soybean, and the fermented soybean products have the potential to be processed into health foods/food additives.

Unveiling the neuroprotective properties of isoflavones: current evidence, molecular mechanisms and future perspectives

Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a wide range of debilitating and incurable brain disorders characterized by the progressive deterioration of the nervous system's structure and function. Isoflavones, which are naturally occurring polyphenolic phytochemicals, have been found to regulate various cellular signaling pathways associated with the nervous system. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to explore the neuroprotective effects of isoflavones, elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and assess their potential for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Relevant data regarding isoflavones and their impact on neurodegenerative diseases were gathered from multiple library databases and electronic sources, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Numerous isoflavones, including genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, and formononetin, have exhibited potent neuroprotective properties against various neurodegenerative diseases. These compounds have been found to modulate neurotransmitters, which in turn contributes to their ability to protect against neurodegeneration. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have provided evidence of their neuroprotection mechanisms, which involve interactions with estrogenic receptors, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory properties, anti-apoptotic activity, and modulation of neural plasticity. This review aims to provide current insights into the neuroprotective characteristics of isoflavones and shed light on their potential therapeutic applications in future clinical scenarios.

Auricularia auricula-judae Attenuates the Progression of Metabolic Syndrome in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats: Enzymatic Pre-Digestion Technology Is Superior to Superfine Grinding Method

Auricularia auricula-judae (AAJ) has been cultivated for food in China for centuries, and is also used as a folk medicine for the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. However, there are few studies on the effects of different processing technologies on the therapeutic efficacy of AAJ to date. This study investigated the effectiveness of the AAJ made by using superfine grinding and enzymatic pre-digestion technologies, respectively, in a high-fat diet obese rat model. It was found that oral administrations of two AAJ products significantly alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing serum lipid levels and restoring liver functions. AAJ products made by using pre-digestion technology have appreciable potential to ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders over other products, possibly due to the higher levels of dietary fiber, crude polysaccharides, and total flavonoids released from AAJ during processing. By analysis of transcriptome sequencing and protein expression, it was clear that starch and sucrose metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism-related factors involved in fatty acid synthesis and metabolism in the liver of obese rats were significantly improved. This study gives further evidence that AAJ significantly ameliorates the progression of glucose and lipid metabolism in obese rats. Moreover, this study demonstrated for the first time that the pre-digestion method may be a better and more efficient processing approach for the improvement of AAJ bioavailability.

Diversity and Ethno-Mycopharmacological Insights of Medicinal Mushrooms of the Bangus Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India

The present study was carried out in various regions of Jammu and Kashmir, India, for the diversity and pharmacology of wild mushrooms. The valley is bestowed with alpine meadows and dense coniferous forest. Because of its isolation, security concerns, and line of control, most of these locations either have been little investigated or are entirely undiscovered. During the intensive survey of various locations, 20 mushroom species were collected from the surveyed areas. The ethno-mycological information was gathered from tribal communities and local herbalists (hakims). It was observed that 16 species were used against cold, constipation, liver and skin disorders, digestion problems, wound healing, and the like. However, these medicinal mushrooms are losing their relevance, so there is an urgent need to explore and preserve this knowledge for future use as medicine.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Effects of New Metabiotics from Boletus edulis

The increasing incidence of diabetes has prompted the need for new treatment strategies, including natural products that reduce glycemia values. This work examined the in vitro and in vivo antihyperglycemic effects of new metabiotics derived from Boletus edulis extracts. The metabiotics were obtained from 100% B. edulis, and two other products, CARDIO and GLYCEMIC, from Anoom Laboratories SRL, which contain other microbial species related to B. edulis. Our in vitro investigations (simulations of the microbiota of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)) demonstrated that B. edulis extracts modulate the microbiota, normalizing its pattern. The effects were further tested in vivo, employing a mouse model of T2D. The tested extracts decreased glycemia values compared to the control and modulated the microbiota. The metabiotics had positive effects on T2D in vitro and in vivo, suggesting their potential to alleviate diabetes-associated microbiota dysbiosis.

Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) polysaccharides improve obesity in mice by regulating gut microbiota and TLR4/JNK signaling pathway

Obesity has emerged as a crucial factor impacting people's lives, and gut microbiota disorders contribute to its development and progression. Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) polysaccharides (AAPs), a traditional functional food in Asia, exhibit potential anti-obesity effects. However, the specific mechanism still needs to be further confirmed. This study investigated the beneficial effects and specific mechanisms of AAPs on obesity. Firstly, AAPs showed significant improvements in overweight, insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and liver damage in obese mice. Additionally, AAPs ameliorated gut microbiota disorders, promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Roseburia, resulting in increased levels of SCFAs, folate, and cobalamin. Simultaneously, AAPs inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria, thereby protecting intestinal barrier function, improving endotoxemia, and decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, AAPs can inhibit the TLR4/JNK signaling pathway while promoting the activation of AKT and AMPK. Importantly, our study underscored the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the anti-obesity effects of AAPs, as evidenced by fecal microbiota transplantation experiments. In conclusion, our findings elucidated that AAPs improve obesity by regulating gut microbiota and TLR4/JNK signaling pathway, offering novel perspectives for further conclusion the anti-obesity potential of AAPs.

Wild Mushrooms: A Hidden Treasure of Novel Bioactive Compounds

Secondary metabolites are hidden gems in mushrooms. Understanding these secondary metabolites' biological and pharmacological effects can be aided by identifying them. The purpose of this work was to profile the mycochemical components of the extracts of Auricularia auricula judae, Microporus xanthopus, Termitomyces umkowaani, Trametes elegans, and Trametes versicolor to comprehend their biological and pharmacological capabilities. Mushroom samples were collected from Kenya's Arabuko-Sokoke and Kakamega National Reserved Forests and identified using morphological and molecular techniques. Chloroform, 70% ethanol, and hot water solvents were used to extract the mycochemical components. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the chloroform, 70% ethanol, and hot water extracts of all the species examined. A total of 51 compounds were isolated from all extracts and classified as carboxylic acids, esters, phenols, fatty acids, alcohol, epoxides, aldehydes, fatty aldehydes, isoprenoid lipids, and steroids. Tetracosamethyl-cyclododecasiloxane (18.90%), oleic acid (72.90%), phenol, 2, 6-bis (1, 1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl-, and methylcarbamate (26.56%) were all found in high concentrations in A. auricular judae, M. xanthopus, T. umkowaani, T. elegans, and T. versicolor, respectively. Fatty acids make up the majority of the compounds isolated from the T. elegans chloroform extract and the T. umkowaani 70% ethanol extract, respectively. Particularly, these fatty acids play crucial roles in the anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, and antibiofilm formation activities. These bioactive elements indicate that the extracts of five wild mushrooms may be reliable sources of secondary metabolites for therapeutic development. Therefore, additional research is required to comprehend the usefulness of these chemicals in many functional areas and to improve the present understanding of macrofungi.

Whose Ear?: Proposal to conserve the name Auricularia auricula (L.) Underw. for Auricularia auricula-judae (Bull.) Quél

Auricularia auricula-judae is a saprobic European jelly fungus with traditional culinary and medicinal significance, often said to resemble a human ear. It was originally named Tremella auricula by Linnaeus and has been moved to different genera since, but its specific epithet was also changed from auricula to auricula-judae by Bulliard in 1789, which is not normally a valid nomenclatural alteration. However, due to the practice of "name sanctioning" in the mycological nomenclatural code, this change has been accepted. This article outlines the nomenclatural and cultural history of the controversial name Auricularia auricula-judae and suggests its return to the original specific epithet auricula, as well as the designation of an epitype specimen.

The Health and Clinical Benefits of Medicinal Fungi

The human uses of mushrooms and cultured mycelium products for nutrition and medicine are detailed and supported by available human studies, which in many cases are clinical trials published in peer-reviewed journals. The major medically active immunomodulating compounds in the cell walls-chitin, beta-glucans, and glycoproteins, as well as lower weight molecules-nitrogen-containing compounds, phenolics, and terpenes-are discussed in relation to their current clinical uses. The nutritional content and foods derived from mushrooms, particularly related to their medical benefits, are discussed. High-quality major nutrients such as the high amounts of complete protein and prebiotic fibers found in edible and medicinal fungi and their products are presented. Mushrooms contain the highest amount of valuable medicinal fiber, while dried fruiting bodies of some fungi have up to 80% prebiotic fiber. These fibers are particularly complex and are not broken down in the upper gut, so they can diversify the microbiome and increase the most beneficial species, leading to better immune regulation and increasing normalizing levels of crucial neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Since the growth of medicinal mushroom products is expanding rapidly worldwide, attention is placed on reviewing important aspects of mushroom and mycelium cultivation and quality issues relating to adulteration, substitution, and purity and for maximizing medicinal potency. Common questions surrounding medicinal mushroom products in the marketplace, particularly the healing potential of fungal mycelium compared with fruiting bodies, extraction methods, and the use of fillers in products, are all explored, and many points are supported by the literature.

A Review of the Pharmacological Potential of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn on Cancer

Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSD) has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat several ailments. SSD and its active compounds are effective therapeutic agents for treating a variety of diseases with negligible side effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic effects exclusively in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytochemical and pharmacological information was collected and arranged in a rational order. SSD has been frequently attributed to having antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Evidence has indicated that the bioactive constituents in SSD have attracted increasing scientific attention due to their preventive role in cancers. Further, the present review provides the current information on the health implications of SSD, thus allowing for future clinical trials to explore its restorative benefits. All data of in vitro and animal investigations of SSD, as well as its effect on human health, were obtained from an electronic search and library database. The diverse pharmacological potential of SSD provides an opportunity for preclinical drug discovery, and this comprehensive review strongly indicates that SSD is an excellent anti-tumorigenic agent that modulates or prevents breast cancer.

Effects of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharides on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Phenotype in Mice

Personalized diets change the internal metabolism of organisms, which, in turn, affects the health of the body; this study was performed to explore the regulatory effects of polysaccharides extracted from Auricularia auricula on the overall metabolism and gut microbiota in normal C57BL/6J mice. The study was conducted using metabolomic and microbiomic methods to provide a scientific basis for further development and use of Auricularia auricula resources in the Qinba Mountains and in nutritional food with Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAP) as the main functional component. Based on LC-MS/MS metabolomic results, 51 AAP-regulated metabolites were found, mainly enriched in the arginine biosynthesis pathway, which had the highest correlation, followed by the following metabolisms: arginine and proline; glycine, serine and threonine; and glycerophospholipid, along with the sphingolipid metabolism pathway. Furthermore, supplementation of AAP significantly changed the composition of the mice intestinal flora. The relative abundance levels of Lactobacillus johnsonii, Weissella cibaria, Kosakonia cowanii, Enterococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium animalis and Bacteroides uniformis were markedly up-regulated, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes bacterium M10-2 was down-regulated. The bioactivities of AAP may be related to the regulatory effects of endogenous metabolism and gut microbiota composition.

Effects of sulfite treatment on the quality of black fungus

In the present study, the color, total sugar, contents of soluble protein, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and soluble vitamins, and other indicators of black fungus treated with sodium metabisulfite under different conditions were measured to evaluate the sensory and nutritional changes in black fungus after sulfite treatment. The results showed that use of sodium metabisulfite increased the lightness of black fungus, significantly increased the contents of total polyphenols and reducing sugars in the fungus (p < 0.05), increased the content of soluble protein, and decreased the content of total flavonoids. In addition, sodium metabisulfite destroyed vitamin C and B₁ in black fungus. When the concentration of sodium metabisulfite was 0.5% and the soaking time 20 or 30 min, the color of black fungus improved markedly, and nutrients were not negatively affected. Therefore, the use of sodium metabisulfite improved the quality of fungus to a certain extent.

Studies on the biosynthetic pathways of melanin in Auricularia auricula

Melanin is a natural pigment ubiquitously present in living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Melanin produced by the edible mushroom Auricularia auricula has a remarkable potential for resource development. Several A. auricula strains planted across China were collected and analyzed for mycelial growth rate and colony RGB value for color block. Further, the effects of various nutrients on melanin formation, including different carbon and nitrogen sources were evaluated to optimize medium for submerged fermentation. The pathways involved in the biosynthesis of melanin in A. auricula were investigated using an enzyme inhibitor assay and intermediate determination. In addition, the functional activity of purified A. auricula melanin was assessed. The highest melanin yield (1.797 g/L) was displayed by strain AU-3 in medium I. A. auricula melanin was composed of eumelanin, pheomelanin and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin, and the biosynthetic pathways involved were Raper-Mason and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin pathway. In addition, melanin purified from A. auricula exhibited substantial antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dietary Supplementation of Auricularia auricula-judae Polysaccharides Alleviate Nutritional Obesity in Mice via Regulating Inflammatory Response and Lipid Metabolism

The incidence of lipid metabolism disorder and obesity that is caused by high-calorie diets is increasing year by year, which has become an urgent global health problem. This study was performed to explore the intervention effects of polysaccharides that were extracted from Auricularia auricula-judae resources in the Qinba Mountain area on nutritional obesity in C57BL/6J mice that was induced by high fat and high fructose diets (HFFD) and to investigate their underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that dietary supplementation of Auricularia auricula-judae polysaccharides (AAP) significantly improved mice’s insulin resistance state, altered serum lipid metabolites, and slowed down body weight gain that was induced by HFFD. In addition, AAP supplementation decreased inflammatory factor levels and alleviated liver histomorphology changes. Furthermore, AAP down-regulated liver adipogenic-related gene expressions, suppressed cholesterol synthesis-related gene levels, up-regulated fatty acid β-oxidation-related gene expressions, and promoted cholesterol efflux-related gene expressions, thus improving mice hepatic lipid metabolism homeostasis. Moreover, the intervention effects were closely related to mitochondrial function. These results provide a scientific basis for the further development and utilization of Auricularia auricula-judae resources in the Qinba Mountain area.