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Fordjour E, Manful CF, Javed R, Galagedara LW, Cuss CW, Cheema M, Thomas R. Chaga mushroom: a super-fungus with countless facets and untapped potential. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1273786. [PMID: 38116085 PMCID: PMC10728660 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1273786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is an inexpensive fungus with a broad range of traditional and medicinal applications. These applications include therapy for breast, cervix, and skin cancers, as well as treating diabetes. However, its benefits are virtually untapped due to a limited understanding of its mycochemical composition and bioactivities. In this article, we explore the ethnobotany, mycochemistry, pharmacology, traditional therapeutic, cosmetic, and prospective agricultural uses. The review establishes that several secondary metabolites, such as steroids, terpenoids, and other compounds exist in chaga. Findings on its bioactivity have demonstrated its ability as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor agent. The study also demonstrates that Chaga powder has a long history of traditional use for medicinal purposes, pipe smoking rituals, and mystical future forecasts. The study further reveals that the applications of Chaga powder can be extended to industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and agriculture. However numerous publications focused on the pharmaceutical benefits of Chaga with few publications on other applications. Overall, chaga is a promising natural resource with a wide range of potential applications and therefore the diverse array of therapeutic compounds makes it an attractive candidate for various applications such as plant biofertilizers and active ingredients in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Thus, further exploration of Chaga's potential benefits in agriculture and other industries could lead to exciting new developments and innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Fordjour
- Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Charles F. Manful
- School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
| | - Rabia Javed
- School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
| | - Lakshman W. Galagedara
- School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
| | - Chad W. Cuss
- School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, NL, Canada
| | - Mumtaz Cheema
- Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Raymond Thomas
- Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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New Inonotus Polysaccharides: Characterization and Anticomplementary Activity of Inonotus rheades Mycelium Polymers. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15051257. [PMID: 36904498 PMCID: PMC10007321 DOI: 10.3390/polym15051257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inonotus is a small genus of xylotrophic basidiomycetes and a source of bioactive fungochemicals among which a special place is occupied by polymeric compounds. In this study, polysaccharides that are widespread in Europe, Asia, and North America and a poorly understood fungal species, I. rheades (Pers.) Karst. (fox polypore), were investigated. Water-soluble polysaccharides of I. rheades mycelium were extracted, purified, and studied using chemical reactions, elemental and monosaccharide analysis, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and linkage analysis. Five homogenic polymers (IRP-1-IRP-5) with molecular weights of 110-1520 kDa were heteropolysaccharides that consist mainly of galactose, glucose, and mannose. The dominant component, IRP-4, was preliminary concluded to be a branched (1→3,6)-linked galactan. Polysaccharides of I. rheades inhibited the hemolysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes by complement from human serum, signifying anticomplementary activity with the greatest effects for the IRP-4 polymer. These findings suggest that I. rheades mycelium is a new source of fungal polysaccharides with potential immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Beltrame G, Mattsson I, Damlin P, Han Z, Kvarnström C, Leino R, Yang B. Study of the sterile conk of Inonotus obliquus using 13C CPMAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopies coupled with multivariate analysis. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Lipidomic response of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana to pyrethroids. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21319. [PMID: 34716379 PMCID: PMC8556296 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00702-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrethroids are chemical insecticides that are widely used to control pests. Entomopathogenic fungi are considered environmentally safe alternatives to these compounds. Pyrethroids and entomopathogenic fungi not only co-exist in the environment but can also be applied together in pest control. They are often found in contact with each other, and thus, it seems important to understand their interactions at the cellular level. In this study, we analyzed whether pyrethroids could influence the phospholipid profile of Beauveria bassiana and whether membrane changes are one of the mechanisms by which these fungi adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions. The results of our study revealed that pyrethroids changed the phospholipid profile and increased the cell membrane permeability of B. bassiana, which enabled them to enter and accumulate within the fungal cells, resulting in oxidative stress. Pyrethroids influenced the amount of neutral lipids, caused a decrease in sodium content, and also temporarily lowered the level of the secondary metabolite oosporein in the studied fungi. These findings indicate that the effect of pyrethroids on entomopathogenic fungi may be more complex than originally thought and that lipidomic studies can aid in fully understanding the influence of these chemicals on the mentioned group of fungi.
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