Antileukaemic Cell Proliferation and Cytotoxic Activity of Edible Golden Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Extracts

Antimicrobial Properties Related to Anti-Acne and Deodorant Efficacy of Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig Extracts from Pulsed Electric Field Extraction

This study investigated the potential of pulsed electric field (PEF) extraction in enhancing the antimicrobial properties related to anti-acne and deodorant properties of Hedychium coronarium extract. The dried leaf and rhizome of H. coronarium were extracted using 95% v/v ethanol through both conventional solvent extraction and PEF extraction techniques (10, 14, and 20 kV/cm). The chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed. The antimicrobial activities, specifically in relation to acne treatment against Cutibacterium acnes and deodorant properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, were determined. The irritation profile of was evaluated using the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane test. The results showed that PEF extraction increased the extract yield, particularly at an electric field strength of 20 kV/cm. Furthermore, PEF extraction significantly enhanced the ellagic acid content, particularly in the leaf extract. Furthermore, the leaf extract demonstrated stronger inhibitory effects against microorganisms associated with body odor and acne compared to the rhizome extract. Notably, all extracts exhibited no signs of irritation, indicating their safety. Overall, the findings suggest that PEF extraction from H. coronarium enhances yield, bioactive compound content, and antimicrobial effects. This indicates the potential of the extract for acne treatment and deodorant use.

Anti-Cancer Potential of Edible/Medicinal Mushrooms in Breast Cancer

Edible/medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used in Asian countries either in the cuisine or as dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. In recent decades, they have aroused increasing attention in Europe as well, due to their health and nutritional benefits. In particular, among the different pharmacological activities reported (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, immunomodulating, antidiabetic, etc.), edible/medicinal mushrooms have been shown to exert in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects on several kinds of tumors, including breast cancer. In this article, we reviewed mushrooms showing antineoplastic activity again breast cancer cells, especially focusing on the possible bioactive compounds involved and their mechanisms of action. In particular, the following mushrooms have been considered: Agaricus bisporus, Antrodia cinnamomea, Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes, and Pleurotus ostreatus. We also report insights into the relationship between dietary consumption of edible mushrooms and breast cancer risk, and the results of clinical studies and meta-analyses focusing on the effects of fungal extracts on breast cancer patients.

Effect of DPP4/CD26 expression on SARS‑CoV‑2 susceptibility, immune response, adenosine (derivatives m62A and CD) regulations on patients with cancer and healthy individuals

The worldwide COVID‑19 pandemic was brought on by a new coronavirus (SARS Cov‑2). A marker/receptor called Dipeptidyl peptidase 4/CD26(DPP4/CD26) may be crucial in determining susceptibility to tumors and coronaviruses. However, the regulation of DPP4 in COVID‑invaded cancer patients and its role on small molecule compounds remain unclear. The present study used the Human Protein Atlas, Monaco, and Schmiedel databases to analyze the expression of DPP4 in human tissues and immune cells. The association between DPP4 expression and survival in various tumor tissues was compared using GEPIA 2. The DNMIVD database was used to analyze the correlation between DPP4 expression and promoter methylation in various tumors. On the cBioPortal network, the frequency of DPP4 DNA mutations in various cancers was analyzed. The correlation between DPP4 expression and immunomodulators was analyzed by TISIDB database. The inhibitory effects of cordycepin (CD), N6, N6‑dimethyladenosine (m⁶₂A) and adenosine (AD) on DPP4 in cancer cells were evaluated. DPP4 was mainly expressed in endocrine tissue, followed by gastrointestinal tract, female tissue (mainly in placenta), male tissue (mainly in prostate and seminal vesicle), proximal digestive tract, kidney, bladder, liver, gallbladder and respiratory system. In immune cells, DPP4 mRNA was mainly expressed in T cells, and its expression was upregulated in esophageal carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), lung adenocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, thyroid carcinoma and thymoma. However, it was downregulated in breast invasive carcinoma, kidney chromophobe, lung squamous cell carcinoma and skin cutaneous melanoma. Thus, DPP4 is involved in viral invasion in most types of cancer. The expression of DPP4 could be inhibited by CD, m⁶₂A and AD in different tumor cells. Moreover, CD significantly inhibited the formation of GFP‑positive syncytial cells. In vivo experiments with AD injection further showed that AD significantly inhibited lymphocyte activating factor 3 expression. These drugs may have potential to treat COVID‑19 by targeting DPP4. Thus, DPP4 may be medically significant for SARS‑CoV‑2‑infected cancer patients, providing prospective novel targets and concepts for the creation of drugs against COVID‑19.

The regulation of ISG20 expression on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients and healthy individuals

ISG20 inhibits viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 invasion; however, details of its expression and regulation with viral susceptibility remain to be elucidated. The present study analyzed ISG20 expression, isoform information, survival rate, methylation patterns, immune cell infiltration, and COVID-19 outcomes in healthy and cancerous individuals. Cordycepin (CD) and N6, N6-dimethyladenosine (m⁶₂A) were used to treat cancer cells for ISG20 expression. We revealed that ISG20 mRNA expression was primarily located in the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. Interestingly, its expression was significantly increased in 11 different types of cancer, indicating that cancer patients may be less vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among them, higher expression of ISG20 was associated with a long OS in CESC and SKCM, suggesting that ISG20 may be a good marker for both viral prevention and cancer progress. ISG20 promoter methylation was significantly lower in BLCA, READ, and THCA tumor tissues than in the matched normal tissues, while higher in BRCA, LUSC, KIRC, and PAAD. Hypermethylation of ISG20 in KIRC and PAAD tumor tissues was correlated with higher expression of ISG20, suggesting that methylation of ISG20 may not underlie its overexpression. Furthermore, ISG20 expression was significantly correlated with immune infiltration levels, including immune lymphocytes, chemokine, receptors, immunoinhibitors, immunostimulators, and MHC molecules in pan-cancer. STAD exhibited the highest degree of ISG20 mutations; the median progression-free survival time in months for the unaltered group was 61.84, while it was 81.01 in the mutant group. Isoforms ISG20-001 and ISG20−009 showed the same RNase_T domain structure, demonstrating the functional roles in tumorigenesis and SARS-CoV-2 invasion inhibition in cancer patients. Moreover, CD and m⁶₂A increase ISG20 expression in various cancer cell lines, implying the antiviral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic potential. Altogether, this study highlighted the value of combating cancer by targeting ISG20 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and small molecules extracted from traditional Chinese medicines, such as CD, may have potential as anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anticancer agents by promoting ISG20 expression.