Therapeutic Potential of Hispidin-Fungal and Plant Polyketide

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of Sanghuangporus vaninii mycelia and fruiting bodies at different harvest stages

Sanghuangprous vaninii is a medicinal macrofungus cultivated extensively in China. Both the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii have remarkable therapeutic properties, but it remains unclear whether the mycelia may serve as a substitute for the fruiting bodies. Furthermore, S. vaninii is a perennial fungus with therapeutic components that vary significantly depending on the growing year of the fruiting bodies. Hence, it is critical to select an appropriate harvest stage for S. vaninii fruiting bodies for a specific purpose. With the aid of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QQQ-MS) was used to preliminarily determine 81 key active metabolites and 157 active pharmaceutical metabolites in S. vaninii responsible for resistance to the six major diseases. To evaluate the substitutability of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and to select an appropriate harvest stage for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii, we analyzed the metabolite differences, especially active metabolite differences, among the mycelia and fruiting bodies during three different harvest stages (1-year-old, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old). Moreover, we also determined the most prominent and crucial metabolites in each sample of S. vaninii. These results suggested that the mycelia show promise as a substitute for the fruiting bodies of S. vaninii and that extending the growth year does not necessarily lead to higher accumulation levels of active metabolites in the S. vaninii fruiting bodies. This study provided a theoretical basis for developing and using S. vaninii.

Exploring the Anti-Cancer Potential of Hispidin: A Comprehensive in Silico and in Vitro Study on Human Osteosarcoma Saos2 Cells

Hispidin was initially discovered in basidiomycete Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst and this extraordinary compound possesses immense potency and can be extracted from the wild mushroom through specialized bioreactor cultivation techniques. In our study, we isolated it from Inonotus hispidus (Bull.) P. Karst., with a yield of 3.6 %. We identified and characterized hispidin through the implementation of spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, NMR, and MS. Additionally, we utilized Thermogravimetric Analysis for thermal characterization of the compound. Computational studies based on DFT were performed to investigate the molecular structure, electronic properties, and chemical reactivity of hispidin. PASS analysis for hispidin demonstrated that 19 of them are anti-neoplastic activities. The Pharmacology prediction of hispidin confirm that it is not toxic, non-carcinogenesis with a good human intestinal absorption. The effect of hispidin on the viability of bone cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The results showed that hispidin significantly reduced SaoS2 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking was carried out using five targets related to bone cancer to determine the interactions between hispidin and the studied proteins. The results demonstrate that hispidin is a good inhibitor for the five targets. Dynamic simulation shows a good stability of the complex hispidin-protein.

Bioluminescence as a functional tool for visualizing and controlling neuronal activity in vivo

The use of bioluminescence as a reporter for physiology in neuroscience is as old as the discovery of the calcium-dependent photon emission of aequorin. Over the years, luciferases have been largely replaced by fluorescent reporters, but recently, the field has seen a renaissance of bioluminescent probes, catalyzed by unique developments in imaging technology, bioengineering, and biochemistry to produce luciferases with previously unseen colors and intensity. This is not surprising as the advantages of bioluminescence make luciferases very attractive for noninvasive, longitudinal in vivo observations without the need of an excitation light source. Here, we review how the development of dedicated and specific sensor-luciferases afforded, among others, transcranial imaging of calcium and neurotransmitters, or cellular metabolites and physical quantities such as forces and membrane voltage. Further, the increased versatility and light output of luciferases have paved the way for a new field of functional bioluminescence optogenetics, in which the photon emission of the luciferase is coupled to the gating of a photosensor, e.g., a channelrhodopsin and we review how they have been successfully used to engineer synthetic neuronal connections. Finally, we provide a primer to consider important factors in setting up functional bioluminescence experiments, with a particular focus on the genetic model Caenorhabditis elegans, and discuss the leading challenges that the field needs to overcome to regain a competitive advantage over fluorescence modalities. Together, our paper caters to experienced users of bioluminescence as well as novices who would like to experience the advantages of luciferases in their own hand.

Comparative genomic analysis of Sanghuangporus sanghuang with other Hymenochaetaceae species

Sanghuangporus sanghuang is a medicinal macrofungus with antioxidant and antitumor activities, and it is enriched with secondary metabolites such as polysaccharides, terpenes, polyphenols, and styrylpyrone compounds. To explore the putative core genes and gene clusters involved in sanghuang biosynthesis, we sequenced and assembled a 40.5-Mb genome of S. sanghuang (SH1 strain). Using antiSMASH, local BLAST, and NCBI comparison, 12 terpene synthases (TPSs), 1 non-ribosomal peptide synthase, and five polyketide synthases (PKSs) were identified in SH1. Combining the transcriptome analysis with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-ion trap-time of flight analysis, we determined that ShPKS1, one phenylalanine aminolyase (ShPAL), and one P450 monooxygenase (ShC4H1) were associated with hispidin biosynthesis. Structural domain comparison indicated that ShPKS2 and ShPKS3 are involved in the biosynthesis of orsellinic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid, respectively. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis of SH1 with 14 other fungi from the Hymenochaetaceae family showed variation in the number of TPSs among different genomes, with Coniferiporia weirii exhibiting only 9 TPSs and Inonotus obliquus having 20. The number of TPSs also differed among the genomes of three strains of S. sanghuang, namely Kangneng (16), MS2 (9), and SH1 (12). The type and number of PKSs also varied among species and even strains, ranging from two PKSs in Pyrrhoderma noxium to five PKSs in S. sanghuang SH1. Among the three strains of S. sanghuang, both the structural domains and the number of PKSs in strains MS2 and SH1 were consistent, whereas strain Kangneng exhibited only four PKSs and lacked the PKS with the structural domain KS-AT-DH-KR-ACP. Additionally, Sanghuangporus species exhibited more similar PKSs to Inonotus, with higher gene similarity around five PKSs, while showing differences from those of other fungi in the same family, including Phellinus lamaoensis. This result supports the independent taxonomic significance of the genus Sanghuangporus to some extent.

Optimization of Phenolic Compounds Extraction and Antioxidant Activity from Inonotus hispidus Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Technology

The use of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds has been increasing because it is a good alternative to the conventional extraction methods. UAE was used to maximize total polyphenol content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the mushroom Inonotus hispidus using response surface methodology (RSM). Firstly, the effect of 40% (v/v) ethanol and 80% (v/v) methanol on the TPC, DPPH scavenging capacity, and FRAP was evaluated. The ethanolic extracts showed a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) TPC, DPPH scavenging capacity, and FRAP than the methanolic extracts. The best condition to produce an extract with the higher TPC and antioxidant activity was achieved when using 40% (v/v) ethanol, a ratio of 75 mL/g, and an extraction time of 20 min. The chromatographic profile of the extract obtained in the optimized condition revealed that hispidin is the main polyphenol present in the extracts of I. hispidus, representing, together with hispidin-like compounds, the majority of the phenolic compounds (159.56 µg/g DW out of 219.01 µg/g DW). The model allowed us to optimize the conditions to maximize the extraction of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity from I. hispidus, demonstrating its potential as a source of antioxidant compounds, with possible industrial, pharmaceutical, and food applications.

Hispidin Inhibits Ferroptosis Induced by High Glucose via the miR-15b-5p/GLS2 Axis in Pancreatic Beta Cells

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health issue that lacks effective treatments. Dysfunction and/or death of pancreatic β-cells (PBCs) are considered a major cause of T2DM. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the death of PBCs might be helpful to develop novel strategies to treat T2DM. Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of cell death that has distinct features. However, knowledge regarding the role of ferroptosis in the death of PBCs remains limited. In the current study, we used high glucose (10 mM) (HG) levels to induce ferroptosis in PBC. We also observed that hispidin, a polyphenol compound that can be isolated from Phellinus linteus, could attenuate ferroptosis induced by HG in PBCs. Mechanistic investigations showed that hispidin led to the upregulation of miR-15b-5p, which directly inhibits the expression of glutaminase (GLS2) which plays an essential role in the glutamine metabolism. In addition, we found that overexpression of GLS2 could abrogate the protective effect of hispidin against ferroptosis caused by HG in PBCs. Therefore, our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms that regulate the death of PBCs.

Hispidin in the Medicinal Fungus Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from JNK Activation-Regulated Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis in an MPP+-Induced In Vitro Model of Parkinson's Disease

Degenerative diseases of the brain include Parkinson's disease (PD), which is associated with moveable signs and is still incurable. Hispidin belongs to polyphenol and originates primarily from the medicinal fungi Inonotus and Phellinus, with distinct biological effects. In the study, MES23.5 cells were induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺) to build a cell model of PD in order to detect the protective effect of hispdin and to specify the underlying mechanism. Pretreatment of MES23.5 cells with 1 h of hispdin at appropriate concentrations, followed by incubation of 24 h with 2 μmol/L MPP⁺ to induce cell damage. MPP⁺ resulted in reactive oxygen species production that diminished cell viability and dopamine content. Mitochondrial dysfunction in MS23.5 cells exposed to MPP⁺ was observed, indicated by inhibition of activity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, the collapse of potential in mitochondrial transmembrane, and the liberation of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Enabling C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), reducing Bcl-2/Bax, and enhancing caspase-9/caspase-3/PARP cleavage were also seen by MPP⁺ induction associated with increased DNA fragmentation. All of the events mentioned above associated with MPP⁺-mediated mitochondrial-dependent caspases cascades were attenuated under cells pretreatment with hispidin (20 µmol/L); similar results were obtained during cell pretreatment with pan-JNK inhibitor JNK-IN-8 (1 µmol/L) or JNK3 inhibitor SR3576 (25 µmol/L). The findings show that hispidin has neuroprotection against MPP⁺-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular apoptosis and suggest that hispidin can be seen as an assist in preventing PD.

Deep learning application detecting SARS-CoV-2 key enzymes inhibitors

The fast spread of the COVID-19 over the world pressured scientists to find its cures. Especially, with the disastrous results, it engendered from human life losses to long-term impacts on infected people's health and the huge financial losses. In addition to the massive efforts made by researchers and medicals on finding safe, smart, fast, and efficient methods to accurately make an early diagnosis of the COVID-19. Some researchers focused on finding drugs to treat the disease and its symptoms, others worked on creating effective vaccines, while several concentrated on finding inhibitors for the key enzymes of the virus, to reduce its spreading and reproduction inside the human body. These enzymes' inhibitors are usually found in aliments, plants, fungi, or even in some drugs. Since these inhibitors slow and halt the replication of the virus in the human body, they can help fight it at an early stage saving the patient from death risk. Moreover, if the human body's immune system gets rid of the virus at the early stage it can be spared from the disastrous sequels it may leave inside the patient's body. Our research aims to find aliments and plants that are rich in these inhibitors. In this paper, we developed a deep learning application that is trained with various aliments, plants, and drugs to detect if a component contains SARS-CoV-2 key inhibitor(s) intending to help them find more sources containing these inhibitors. The application is trained to identify various sources rich in thirteen coronavirus-2 key inhibitors. The sources are currently just aliments, plants, and seeds and the identification is done by their names.

2-(2-(Dimethylamino)vinyl)-4H-pyran-4-ones as Novel and Convenient Building-Blocks for the Synthesis of Conjugated 4-Pyrone Derivatives

A straightforward approach for the construction of the new class of conjugated pyrans based on enamination of 2-methyl-4-pyrones with DMF-DMA was developed. 2-(2-(Dimethylamino)vinyl)-4-pyrones are highly reactive substrates that undergo 1,6-conjugate addition/elimination or 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition/elimination followed by substitution of the dimethylamino group without ring opening. This strategy includes selective transformations leading to conjugated and isoxazolyl-substituted 4-pyrone structures. The photophysical properties of the prepared 4-pyrones were determined in view of further design of novel merocyanine fluorophores. A solvatochromism was found for enamino-substituted 4-pyrones accompanied by a strong increase in fluorescence intensity in alcohols. The prepared conjugated structures demonstrated valuable photophysical properties, such as a large Stokes shift (up to 204 nm) and a good quantum yield (up to 28%).

Cultivation of Inonotus hispidus in Stirred Tank and Wave Bag Bioreactors to Produce the Natural Colorant Hispidin

Hispidin (6-(3,4-dihydroxystyrl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrone) production in submerged cultured mycelia of the basidiomycete Inonotus hispidus was doubled in shake flasks through irradiation with white light. The daily addition of 1 mM hydrogen peroxide as a chemical stressor and a repeated supplementation of the shake flask cultures with 2 mM caffeic acid, a biogenetic precursor, further increased the hispidin synthesis. These cultivation conditions were combined and applied to parallel fermentation trials on the 4 L scale using a classical stirred tank bioreactor and a wave bag bioreactor. No significant differences in biomass yield and colorant production were observed. The hispidin concentration in both bioreactors reached 5.5 g·L−1, the highest ever published. Textile dyeing with hispidin was successful, but impeded by its limited light stability in comparison to industrial dyes. However, following the idea of sustainability and the flawless toxicity profile, applications in natural cosmetics, other daily implements, or even therapeutics appear promising.

Intrinsic Ability of the β‐Oxidation Pathway To Produce Bioactive Styrylpyrones

Naturally occurring α‐pyrones with biological activities are mostly synthesised by polyketide synthases (PKSs) via iterative decarboxylative Claisen condensation steps. Remarkably, we found that some enzymes related to the fatty acid β‐oxidation pathway in Escherichia coli, namely the CoA ligase FadD and the thiolases FadA and FadI, can synthesise styrylpyrones with phenylpropionic acids in vivo. The two thiolases directly utilise acetyl‐CoA as an extender unit for carbon‐chain elongation through a non‐decarboxylative Claisen condensation, thus making the overall reaction more efficient in terms of carbon and energy consumption. Moreover, using a cell‐free approach, different styrylpyrones were synthesised in vitro. Finally, targeted feeding experiments led to the detection of styrylpyrones in other species, demonstrating that the intrinsic ability of the β‐oxidation pathway allows for the synthesis of such molecules in bacteria, revealing an important biological feature hitherto neglected.

How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology?

Traditional herbal medicine (THM) is a “core” from which modern medicine has evolved over time. Besides this, one third of people worldwide have no access to modern medicine and rely only on traditional medicine. To date, drugs of plant origin, or their derivates (paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vinorelbine, etoposide, camptothecin, topotecan, irinotecan, and omacetaxine), are very important in the therapy of malignancies and they are included in most chemotherapeutic regimes. To date, 391,000 plant and 14,000 mushroom species exist. Their medical and biochemical capabilities have not been studied in detail. In this review, we systematized the information about plants and mushrooms, as well as their active compounds with antitumor properties. Plants and mushrooms are divided based on the regions where they are used in ethnomedicine to treat malignancies. The majority of their active compounds with antineoplastic properties and mechanisms of action are described. Furthermore, on the basis of the available information, we divided them into two priority groups for research and for their potential of use in antitumor therapy. As there are many prerequisites and some examples how THM helps and strengthens modern medicine, finally, we discuss the positive points of THM and the management required to transform and integrate THM into the modern medicine practice.