Water Extract of Mixed Mushroom Mycelia Grown on a Solid Barley Medium Is Protective against Experimental Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Raw Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide counteracts Alzheimer's disease in a transgenic mouse model by activating the ubiquitin-proteosome system

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Inonotus obliquus has been used as antidiabetic herb around the world, especially in the Russian and Scandinavian countries. Diabetes is widely believed to be a key factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is widely considered to be type III diabetes. To investigate whether I. obliquus can also ameliorate AD, it would be interesting to identify new clues for AD treatment. We tested the anti-AD effects of raw Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) in a mouse model of AD (3×Tg-AD transgenic mice).

MATERIALS/METHODS

SPF-grade 3×Tg-AD mice were randomly divided into three groups (Control, Metformin, and raw IOP groups, n = 5 per group). β-Amyloid deposition in the brain was analyzed using immunohistochemistry for AD characterization. Gene and protein expression of pertinent factors of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Raw IOP significantly reduced the accumulation of amyloid aggregates and facilitated UPS activity, resulting in a significant reduction in AD-related symptoms in an AD mouse model. The presence of raw IOP significantly enhanced the expression of ubiquitin, E1, and Parkin (E3) at both the mRNA and protein levels in the mouse hippocampus. The mRNA level of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1, a key factor involved in UPS activation, also increased by approximately 50%.

CONCLUSIONS

Raw IOP could contribute to AD amelioration via the UPS pathway, which could be considered as a new potential strategy for AD treatment, although we could not exclude other mechanisms involved in counteracting AD processing.

Neuroprotective Effects of Water Extract from Brown Algae Petalonia binghamiae in an Experimental Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia In Vitro and In Vivo

Focal cerebral ischemia (fCI) can result in brain injury and sensorimotor deficits. Brown algae are currently garnering scientific attention as potential therapeutic candidates for fCI. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of the hot water extract of Petalonia binghamiae (wPB), a brown alga, in in vitro and in vivo models of fCI. The neuroprotective efficacy of wPB was evaluated in an in vitro excitotoxicity model established using HT-22 cells challenged with glutamate. Afterward, C57/BL6 mice were administered wPB for 7 days (10 or 100 mg/kg, intragastric) and subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) operation, which was used as an in vivo fCI model. wPB co-incubation significantly inhibited cell death, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, as well as stimulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme, and the nuclear translocation of its upstream regulator, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in HT-22 cells challenged with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Pretreatment with either dose of wPB significantly attenuated infarction volume, neuronal death, and sensorimotor deficits in an in vivo fCI model. Furthermore, the attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the ischemic lesion accompanied the wPB-associated protection. This study suggests that wPB can counteract fCI via an antioxidative effect, upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Mixed Medicinal Mushroom Mycelia Attenuates Alzheimer's Disease Pathologies In Vitro and In Vivo

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory impairment and existence of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neuroinflammation. Due to the pivotal role of oxidative damage in AD, natural antioxidative agents, such as polyphenol-rich fungi, have garnered scientific scrutiny. Here, the aqueous extract of mixed medicinal mushroom mycelia (MMMM)-Phellinus linteus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Inonotus obliquus-cultivated on a barley medium was assessed for its anti-AD effects. Neuron-like PC12 cells, which were subjected to Zn2+, an Aβ aggregator, were employed as an in vitro AD model. The cells pretreated with or without MMMM were assayed for Aβ immunofluorescence, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Then, 5XFAD mice were administered with 30 mg/kg/day MMMM for 8 weeks and underwent memory function tests and histologic analyses. In vitro results demonstrated that the cells pretreated with MMMM exhibited attenuation in Aβ immunofluorescence, ROS accumulation, and apoptosis, and incrementation in cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activity. In vivo results revealed that 5XFAD mice administered with MMMM showed attenuation in memory impairment and histologic deterioration such as Aβ plaque accumulation and neuroinflammation. MMMM might mitigate AD-associated memory impairment and cerebral pathologies, including Aβ plaque accumulation and neuroinflammation, by impeding Aβ-induced neurotoxicity.

Ganoderma lucidum Modulates Glucose, Lipid Peroxidation and Hepatic Metabolism in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Pregnant Rats

The consumption of functional foods, such as mushrooms, apparently influences Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), and brings benefits to maternal-fetal health. Ganoderma lucidum contains a variety of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, proteins and polyphenols that are able to control blood glucose and be used in anti-cancer therapy. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the consumption of Ganoderma lucidum (Gl) on maternal-fetal outcomes in streptozotocin-induced GDM (GDM-STZ). Pregnant rats were exposed to Gl (100 mg/kg/day) before and after the induction of GDM-STZ (single dose 40 mg/kg) on the eighth pregnancy day. Biochemical and oxidative stress parameters, reproductive performance and morphometry of fetuses were assessed. Gl reduced the glycemic response in the oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, Gl decreased AST and ALT activities. GDM increased lipid peroxidation, which was reverted by Gl. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were decreased in GDM and the administered Gl after the fetus implantation increased catalase activity. Measurements of the fetal head, thorax, craniocaudal and tail showed greater values in fetuses from rats exposed to Gl compared to GDM. Ganoderma lucidum has an encouraging nutritional and medicinal potential against GDM, since it modifies glucose metabolism, reduces lipid peroxidation, and has protective effects in fetuses born from GDM dams.