Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder

Polysaccharide fractions extracted from Lactarius quieticolor mushroom exhibit immune stimulatory activities on macrophages

Several beneficial properties have already been observed for mushrooms extracts containing polysaccharides, one of the main components present in these fungi. In order to obtain these extracts and clarify their composition, different extraction and characterization methods can be applied, contributing to understanding its biological effects. In this research, we evaluated three different crude fractions obtained through cold water, hot water, and alkaline solution, from the mushroom Lactarius quieticolor. Each sample was totally characterized by NMR (1H, 13C, HSQC-DEPT, COSY), GC-MS (monosaccharide composition and methylation analysis) and HPSEC (homogeneity and relative Mw). The results showed a mixture of different polysaccharides, including D-galactans and D-glucans in each fraction. All the extracts presented immunostimulant activity in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages, stimulating NO secretion and inducing morphological alterations that were typical of activated cells. These effects were more intense for alkaline fraction (EA), which have higher amounts of mannose and 3,6-di-O-substituted-Glcp units. The results obtained show that crude fractions can potentially stimulate immune cells, which indicates that the consumption of this edible mushroom can bring great benefits to health, being considered an excellent food due to its good biological properties.

Ganoderma tuberculosum Liquid Culture With Vineyard Pruning Extracts for Bioactive Composite Production With Antiproliferative Activity

Ganoderma species have been studied for their pharmacological approaches, such as anticancer, antitumor, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activity. Elicitors are used to increase Ganoderma bioactive composite production. This study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extracts from mycelium of Ganoderma tuberculosum (G. tuberculosum) grown in a liquid medium with vineyard pruning waste (VPW) extracts as elicitors. Ethanolic and aqueous VPW extracts contain resveratrol dimer 4, resveratrol tetramer 1, and naringenin, while toluene and chloroform extracts contain tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid. Polar and nonpolar extracts could be promising elicitors for increasing bioactive molecules. Catechin gallate showed the highest correlation (r = 0.66) with biomass. Mycelial ethanolic extracts of G. tuberculosum (native strain from the Sonoran Desert) and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) (control) were analyzed by ESI-IT-MS, and 27 molecules were identified for the two species. They showed antiproliferative activity against the A549 and C-33 A cell lines but not for ARPE-19. G. tuberculosum culture with VPW had quinic acid, ganodermenonol, ganoderic acid I (GA-I), C2 (GA-C2), and 20-hydroxylucidenic acid P, among others. Molecular docking of ganodermenonol, GA-I, and GA-C2 demonstrates significant interaction with tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α). These ethanolic extracts of Ganoderma are promising sources of bioactive triterpenoids. Their antiproliferative activity did not change between species or treatment. Likewise, the G. tuberculosum and G. lucidum extracts only affected cancer cell lines. This property seems promising for pharmacological applications of these fungal extracts.

Core microbes in Cordyceps militaris sclerotia and their nitrogen metabolism-related ecological functions

Cordyceps militaris infects insects and forms sclerotia within the insect remains, establishing insect-microbe complexes. Here, C. militaris sclerotia samples from a single location in China over a 5-year period were subjected to high-throughput DNA sequencing, and the core microbes (which were stably enriched in the sclerotia over the 5 years) were identified. Next, seven bacterial strains were isolated from the C. militaris sclerotia, their biochemical characteristics were assessed, and they were co-cultured with C. militaris to study their effects on C. militaris metabolite production and biomass. Furthermore, the effects of NH4, NO3, and peptone media on C. militaris were compared. The results showed that Rhodococcus, Phyllobacterium, Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Ensifer, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Variovorax, and Acinetobacter were the core microbes. Although co-culture of C. militaris with the seven bacterial strains isolated from the sclerotia did not directly increase the cordycepin level, they all had NO3 reduction ability, and four had urea decomposition ability. Meanwhile, C. militaris in NH4 medium had an increased cordycepin level compared to C. militaris in the other two media. From this, we inferred that bacteria in the sclerotia can convert NO3 to NH4, and then cordycepin is produced using NH4, which was confirmed by RNA-seq and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Thus, bacteria in the sclerotia may indirectly affect the C. militaris metabolite production by regulating nitrogen metabolism. In summary, there are stable core microbes in the C. militaris sclerotia, and they may directly and indirectly affect the growth and metabolite production of C. militaris.

IMPORTANCE

The model Cordyceps species Cordyceps militaris is rich in therapeutic compounds. It has recently been demonstrated that symbiotic microbes in sclerotia affect Cordyceps' growth, development, and secondary metabolite production. In this study, core microbes were identified based on C. militaris sclerotia samples obtained from the same site over 5 years. Additionally, bacterial strains isolated from C. militaris sclerotia were found to affect metabolite production and nitrogen utilization, based on functional tests. Moreover, based on the bacterial nitrogen metabolism capacity in the sclerotia and its influence on C. militaris metabolite production, we deduced that bacteria in the sclerotia can indirectly affect C. militaris metabolite production by regulating nitrogen metabolism. This is the first report on how bacteria in the sclerotia affect C. militaris metabolite production from the perspective of the nitrogen cycle. The results increase our understanding of microbial functions in C. militaris sclerotia.

Use of mushrooms as antioxidants in a lipid oxidation model under indirect and direct oxidation tests: ethanolic extracts of Ganoderma resinaceum and Phlebopus bruchii

BACKGROUND

Foods contain lipids that are easily susceptible to oxidation, which can modify their sensory properties. Although these compounds provide characteristic flavours and odours, there are also unwanted compounds, such as volatile secondary oxidation products, representing a recurring problem for both the industry and consumers. Synthetic antioxidants are often employed to prevent this but their chronic consumption can be detrimental to human health. The present study evaluates the antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts from Ganoderma resinaceum and Phlebopus bruchii using an accelerated oxidation test.

RESULTS

The composition profile of the extracts was investigated, identifying the presence of tryptophan, quinic acid, caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol-phenolic acid. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was compared with that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in sunflower oil that was oven-heated at 60 °C. Chemical (peroxide value, p-anisidine value and conjugated dienes) and volatile (2-octenal, 2-heptenal and 2,4-decadienal) indicators were measured over 28 days. The peroxide value decreased for both extracts at a similar level to that of BHT 0.02% w/w, and conjugate dienes decreased in the presence of G. resinaceum 0.1% w/w. Meanwhile, p-anisidine exhibited a slightly greater decrease for P. bruchii 0.1% w/w than for BHT. The sample with 0.1% w/w of extracts showed a reduction in volatile secondary oxidation compounds, indicating significant antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, both extracts could be proposed as potential antioxidants in foods with a high lipid content. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A scoping review of the effects of mushroom and fungus extracts in rodent models of depression and tests of antidepressant activity

One of the most important developments in psychopharmacology in the past decade has been the emergence of novel treatments for mood disorders, such as psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin is most commonly found in different species of mushroom; however, the literature on mushroom and fungus extracts with potential antidepressant activity extends well beyond just psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and includes both psychedelic and non-psychedelic species. In the current review, we systematically review the preclinical literature on mushroom and fungus extracts, and their effects of animal models of depression and tests of antidepressant activity. The PICO structure, PRISMA checklist and the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of intervention were used to guide the search strategy. A scoping search was conducted in electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Web of Science. The literature search identified 50 relevant and suitable published studies. These included 19 different species of mushrooms, as well as seven different species of other fungi. Nearly all studies reported antidepressant-like effects of treatment with extracts. Treatments were most commonly delivered orally, in both acute and chronically administered studies to predominantly male rodents. Multiple animal models of depression were used, the most common being unpredictable chronic mild stress, while the tail suspension test and forced swim test were most frequently used as standalone antidepressant screens. Details on each experiment with mushroom and fungus species are discussed in detail, while an evaluation is provided of the strengths and weaknesses of these studies.

Antioxidants, Hormetic Nutrition, and Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a heterogeneous group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by atypical behaviors with two core pathological manifestations: deficits in social interaction/communication and repetitive behaviors, which are associated with disturbed redox homeostasis. Modulation of cellular resilience mechanisms induced by low levels of stressors represents a novel approach for the development of therapeutic strategies, and in this context, neuroprotective effects of a wide range of polyphenol compounds have been demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo studies and thoroughly reviewed. Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for many years and have been associated with a long list of therapeutic properties, including antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Our recent studies have strikingly indicated the presence of polyphenols in nutritional mushrooms and demonstrated their protective effects in different models of neurodegenerative disorders in humans and rats. Although their therapeutic effects are exerted through multiple mechanisms, increasing attention is focusing on their capacity to induce endogenous defense systems by modulating cellular signaling processes such as nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Here we discuss the protective role of hormesis and its modulation by hormetic nutrients in ASD.

Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases

Hericium erinaceus is an edible and medicinal mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Several studies have highlighted its therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, some components of this mushroom appear to possess strong antineoplastic capabilities against gastric and colorectal cancer. This review aims to analyse all available evidence on the digestive therapeutic potential of this fungus as well as the possible underlying molecular mechanisms.

Effect of Cordyceps spp. and Cordycepin on Functions of Bones and Teeth and Related Processes: A Review

Cordyceps spp. (belonging to the Ascomycota group) are entomopathogenic mushrooms that have traditionally been used in ethnomedicine in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. They are unique parasites of larvae of selected species of moths. Cordyceps militaris is one of the best sources of cordycepin. Worldwide, osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases, whose pharmacotherapy includes various medical interventions; however, the research and development of new molecules and new drugs is required. The impact of adenosine receptors (ARs) on the purinergic signaling pathway may regulate proliferation, differentiate dental pulp stem cells and bone marrow, and modulate osteogenesis and bone repair. The aim of the review was to collect and analyze the available data on the effects of Cordyceps spp. or cordycepin on bone function and related processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review in this perspective, not necessarily using mushroom raw material or even the isolated parent compound cordycepin, but new molecules that are analogs of nucleosides, such as those from C. militaris. This review found that Cordyceps spp. or isolated cordycepin interacts via the AR, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) signaling pathway and evaluated their impact on bones, teeth, and dental pulp. Cordyceps spp. was found to have the potential to develop regenerative medicines, thus providing an opportunity to expand the treatment or intervention methods in the recovery after traumatic injuries, convalescence, and terminal-stage or devastating diseases.

Biology of cyclooxygenase-2: An application in depression therapeutics

Depressive Disorder is a common mood disorder or affective disorder that is dominated by depressed mood. It is characterized by a high incidence and recurrence. The onset of depression is related to genetic, biological and psychosocial factors. However, the pathogenesis is still unclear. In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of research on the inflammatory hypothesis of depression, in which cyclo-oxygen-ase 2 (COX-2), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is closely associated with depression. A variety of chemical drugs and natural products have been found to exert therapeutic effects by modulating COX-2 levels. This paper summarizes the relationship between COX-2 and depression in terms of neuroinflammation, intestinal flora, neurotransmitters, HPA axis, mitochondrial dysfunction and hippocampal neuronal damage, which can provide a reference for further preventive control, clinical treatment and scientific research on depression.