Influence of Pholiota adiposa on gut microbiota and promote tumor cell apoptosis properties in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Anti-hepatoma immunotherapy of Pholiota adiposa polysaccharide-coated selenium nanoparticles by reversing M2-like tumor-associated macrophage polarization

Targeting macrophages to regulate the tumor microenvironment is a promising strategy for treating cancer. This study developed a stable nano drug (PAP-SeNPs) using Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and the Pholiota adiposa polysaccharide component (PAP-1a) and reported their physical stability, M2-like macrophages targeting efficacy and anti-hepatoma immunotherapy potential, as well as their molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, the zero-valent and well-dispersed spherical PAP-SeNPs were also successfully synthesized with an average size of 55.84 nm and a negative ζ-potential of -51.45 mV. Moreover, it was observed that the prepared PAP-SeNPs were stable for 28 days at 4 °C. Intravital imaging highlighted that PAP-SeNPs had the dual effect of targeting desirable immune organs and tumors. In vitro analyses showed that the PAP-SeNPs polarized M2-like macrophages towards the M1 phenotype to induce hepatoma cell death, triggered by the time-dependent lysosomal endocytosis in macrophages. Mechanistically, PAP-SeNPs significantly activated the Tlr4/Myd88/NF-κB axis to transform tumor-promoting macrophages into tumor-inhibiting macrophages and successfully initiated antitumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, PAP-SeNPs also enhanced CD3+CD4+ T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells, thereby further stimulating anti-hepatoma immune responses. These results suggest that the developed PAP-SeNPs is a promising immunostimulant that can assist hepatoma therapy.

The effects of zinc sulfate on mycelial enzyme activity and metabolites of Pholiota adiposa

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc sulphate on the activities of different enzymes and metabolites of Pholiota adiposa. In the experiment, we used the conventional enzyme activity assay to determine the changes of six indicators, including protein content, laccase activity, cellulase activity, amylase activity and polyphenol oxidase activity, under different concentrations of zinc sulphate treatment. The results showed that the activities of amylase, laccase, cellulase and peroxidase were Zn2+(200)>Zn2+(0)>Zn2+(400)>Zn2+(800).The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were Zn2+(200)>Zn2+(400)>Zn2+(800), and zinc sulfate could significantly affect the activity of polylipic squamase in a dose-dependent manner. Further correlation analysis showed that all six enzyme activities were significantly correlated with each other (P<001); the results of the statistical model test showed that the regression model constructed was statistically significant; overall the residuals met the conditions of normal distribution, and the corresponding points of different enzyme activities Q-Q' were more evenly distributed around y = x, and all fell in the 90% acceptance interval, thus the series was considered to obey normal distribution; the results of the principal The results of the principal component analysis showed that principal component 1 was positively correlated with amylase, laccase and cellulase. Principal component 2 was positively correlated with superoxide dismutase and catalase, and negatively correlated with peroxidase. The analysis of Metabonomic data revealed that zinc sulfate had a significant impact on the expression of metabolites in the mycelium. Moreover, varying concentrations of zinc sulfate exerted significant effects on the levels of amino acids, organic acids, and gluconic acid. This conclusion was confirmed by other experimental data. The results of the study provide a scientific reference for better research, development and utilization of Pholiota adiposa.

The Large Molecular Weight Polysaccharide from Wild Cordyceps and Its Antitumor Activity on H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice

Cordyceps has anti-cancer effects; however, the bioactive substance and its effect are still unclear. Polysaccharides extracted from Cordyceps sinensis, the fugus of Cordyceps, have been reported to have anti-cancer properties. Thus, we speculated that polysaccharides might be the key anti-tumor active ingredients of Cordyceps because of their larger molecular weight than that of polysaccharides in Cordyceps sinensis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of wild Cordyceps polysaccharides on H22 liver cancer and the underlying mechanism. The structural characteristics of the polysaccharides of WCP were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, H22 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were used to explore the anti-tumor effect of WCP (100 and 300 mg/kg/d). The mechanism by WCP inhibited H22 tumors was uncovered by the TUNEL assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin-eosin staining, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Here, our results showed that WCP presented high purity with an average molecular weight of 2.1 × 10⁶ Da and 2.19 × 10⁴ Da. WCP was determined to be composed of mannose, glucose, and galactose. Notably, WCP could inhibit the proliferation of H22 tumors not only by improving immune function, but also by promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells, likely through the IL-10/STAT3/Bcl2 and Cyto-c/Caspase8/3 signaling pathways, in H22 tumor-bearing mice. Particularly, WCP had essentially no side effects compared to 5-FU, a common drug used in the treatment of liver cancer. In conclusion, WCP could be a potential anti-tumor product with strong regulatory effects in H22 liver cancer.

Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Grifola frondose Polysaccharide—Protein Complex in Combination with Cyclophosphamide in H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver malignancy and remains a global health threat. The objective of the current study was to determine whether the combination of a cold-water extracted polysaccharide-protein complex from Grifolia frondosa (GFG) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) could inhibit tumor growth by suppressing the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins in H22 tumor-bearing mice. The results showed that the inhibition rate of GFG combined with CTX on H22 tumors was 65.29%, which was significantly higher than that of GFG treatment alone (24.82%). GFG combined with CTX significantly increased the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Additionally, thymus index, spleen index, natural killer (NK) cell activity, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels increased significantly after GFG treatment, especially after high-doses of GFG combined with CTX treatment (p < 0.05). The thymus index, spleen index, NK cell activity, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-2 levels were 1.90, 1.46, 1.30, 2.13, 1.64, 2.03, and 1.24 times of those treated with CTX alone. Thus, we proposed that GFG can alleviate the side effects of CTX by relieving the immunosuppressive effect, liver/renal injury, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the combination of GFG and CTX for cancer treatment may be a promising strategy, and GFG is expected to be a potential adjuvant alternative for the treatment of HCC.

Beneficial Proapoptotic Effect of Heterobasidion Annosum Extract in Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Mouse Model

Fungal extracts possess potential anticancer activity against many malignant neoplastic diseases. In this research, we focused on the evaluation of Heterobasidion annosum (HA) extract in colorectal cancer in an in vivo model. The mice with implanted DLD-1 human cancer cells were given HA extract, the referential drug-5-fluorouracil (5FU), or were treated with its combination. Thereafter, tumor volume was measured and apoptotic proteins such as caspase-8, caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2, and survivin were analyzed in mice serum with an ELISA assay. The Ki-67 protein was assessed in tumor cells by immunohistochemical examination. The biggest volumes of tumors were confirmed in the DLD-1 group, while the lowest were observed in the population treated with 5FU and/or HA extract. The assessment of apoptosis showed increased concentrations of caspase 8 and p53 protein after the combined administration of 5FU and HA extract. The levels of survivin and Bcl-2 were decreased in all tested groups compared to the DLD-1 group. Moreover, we observed a positive reaction for Ki-67 protein in all tested groups. Our findings confirm the apoptotic effect of extract given alone or with 5FU. The obtained results are innovative and provide a basis for further research concerning the antitumor activity of the HA extract, especially in the range of its interaction with an anticancer chemotherapeutic agent.