Begell House Inc.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
IJM
1521-9437
17
9
2015
Open-Label Study of the Influence of Food Containing the Royal Sun Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 (Higher Basidiomycetes), on the Quality of Life of Healthy Human Volunteers
799-817
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.10
Masuro
Motoi
Toei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 2-5-3 Iguchi, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0011; Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
Akitomo
Motoi
Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan; Toei Shinyaku Co. Ltd., Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0011, Japan
Daisuke
Yamanaka
Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products School of Pharmacy Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
Naohito
Ohno
Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
medicinal mushrooms
Agaricus brasiliensis
Agaricus blazei
sleep quality
clinical study
enhancement of immunity
evaluation of safety
We conducted an open-label study in which food containing Agaricus brasiliensis KA21 was consumed continuously for 12 weeks. A questionnaire for subjective evaluation of the efficacy of this food (hereafter, subjective evaluation questionnaire) revealed significant improvements compared with before its intake; there were improvements in the scores of the amounts of hair loss and gray hair, fatigue and general malaise, eye strain, shoulder stiffness, coldness of extremities, difficulty staying awake during the day, and ease of getting out of bed. These findings suggest that intake of food containing A. brasiliensis KA21 results in the above-mentioned subjectively evaluated improvements, and the possibility that A. brasiliensis KA21 improves the body's immunity. Moreover, no issues regarding the safety of the test food were found.
Antiviral Activity of a Cloned Peptide RC28 Isolated from the Higher Basidiomycetes Mushroom Rozites caperata in a Mouse Model of HSV-1 Keratitis
819-828
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.20
Naihong
Yan
Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Laboratories, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Fen
He
Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Laboratories, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Frank F.
Piraino
Department. of Visual Sciences,
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison
517 Rupert Rd., Waunakee, WI. 53597, USA
Haotian
Xiang
Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Laboratories, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Jun
Chen
Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Laboratories, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Yun
Wang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
Xuyang
Liu
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518040, China
medicinal mushrooms
RC28
antivirus
HSV-1
herpes simplex keratitis (HSK)
Rozites caperata
PFU/mL
An Escherichia coli−expressed peptide with a molecular weight of 28.26, derived from the complementary DNA of antiviral protein RC28 isolated from the mushroom Rozites caperata (=Cortinarius caperatus), demonstrated potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus-1 in Vero cells and in a herpes simplex virus-1 mouse keratitis model. Plaque assays in Vero cells showed that the peptide reduced viral yields by at least 1.2 logs; in the animal model the cloned peptide delayed the occurrence of stromal keratitis and alleviated the severity of the disease. We believe this is the first report of a cloned mushroom peptide with antiviral activity for the prevention and treatment of a viral disease.
Protective Efficacy of the Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes), from India in Neuronal Hippocampal Cells against Hypoxia
829-840
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.30
Mamta
Pal
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Anuja
Bhardwaj
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Manimaran
Manickam
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Rajkumar
Tulsawani
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India; Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani 263139, India
Mousami
Srivastava
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Ragumani
Sugadev
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Kshipra
Misra
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi 110054, India; Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, Haldwani 263139, India
medicinal mushrooms
Ophiocordyceps sinensis
HPTLC
antioxidant activities
hypoxia
HT22 cells
principal component analysis (PCA)
This study demonstrated the protective efficiency of extracts of the Indian variety of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (=Cordyceps sinensis) (CSEs) in HT22 (murine hippocampal) cells under hypoxic conditions. Various parameters such as cell viability, reactive oxygen species, levels of endogenous antioxidants, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, and oxidation of macromolecules were analyzed. In addition, the radical scavenging abilities of hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals were also studied. Antioxidant compounds, ascorbic acid, hesperidin, and rutin were quantified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. The information acquired from high-performance thin-layer chromatography profiling was subjected to principal component analysis for data clustering. Findings of this research revealed that ascorbic acid and rutin were highest in aqueous CSE, whereas the maximum amount of hesperidin was found in 25% alcoholic CSE. In vitro studies showed that all the CSEs protected HT22 cells well by upregulating the level of endogenous antioxidants and preventing the oxidation of lipids and proteins. These extracts also reduced the amount of hypoxia-induced inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors on par with the normoxic control with more or less equal protection in the cells under hypoxia, and indicated significant radical scavenging potential.
Molecular Markers to Detect the Formation of Heterokaryon and Homokaryon from Asexual Spores of the Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom, Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycetes)
841-846
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.40
Hong
Wang
Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, National Engineering Research Center for Edible Fungi, National R&D Center for Edible Fungi Processing, Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Tao
Cai
Key Laboratory of Applied Mycological Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, People's Republic of China, and the Shanghai Biotechnology and Engineering Research Center for the Edible Fungi, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Jing
Wei
Key Laboratory of Applied Mycological Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, People's Republic of China, and the Shanghai Biotechnology and Engineering Research Center for the Edible Fungi, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Aiping
Feng
Key Laboratory of Applied Mycological Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, People's Republic of China, and the Shanghai Biotechnology and Engineering Research Center for the Edible Fungi, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Nan
Lin
Key Laboratory of Applied Mycological Resources and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, People's Republic of China, and the Shanghai Biotechnology and Engineering Research Center for the Edible Fungi, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Da-Peng
Bao
National Engineering Research Center of Edible Fungi, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Key Laboratory of Edible Fungal Resources and Utilization (South), Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding of Shanghai, Institute of Edible Fungi, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
medicinal mushrooms
Cordyceps militaris
asexual spore
mating-type gene
mycelial growth rate
Cordyceps militaris is widely cultivated on artificial media in China; however, the cultures often are afflicted with the degeneration of nonfruiting strains. To understand the mechanism of degeneration of C. militaris, from the heterokaryotic strain into the homokaryotic strain, we examined the mating-type genes present in individual asexual spores. Further, we determined the distribution ratio of the different mating-type genes among a sample of asexual spores and the growth rate of heterokaryotic and homokaryotic strains of C. militaris. The distribution ratio of 3 groups of asexual spores from C. militaris heterokaryotic strains was determined as 1:1:1 by statistical analysis, whereas that of the two types of nuclei among asexual spores was 1:1. Nearly two-thirds of the asexual spore isolates were homokaryon, which showed a growth speed similar to the heterokaryon. However, the homokaryon (bearing mating-type MAT-HMG) grew significantly faster at times compared with the heterokaryon. Therefore, the purity of the spawn was difficult to establish. C. militaris heterokaryotic strains can transform into a homokaryotic strain following continued subculture.
In Vivo Iron-Chelating Activity and Phenolic Profiles of the Angel's Wings Mushroom, Pleurotus porrigens (Higher Basidiomycetes)
847-856
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.50
Masoumeh
Khalili
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center,
Golestan University of Medical Sciences,
Gorgan, Iran.
Mohammad Ali
Ebrahimzadeh
Pharmaceutical Science Research Center, School of Pharmacy,
Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Mehrnoush
Kosaryan
Thalassemia Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
medicinal mushrooms
hematoxylin and eosin
iron-chelating activity
p-coumaric acid
Pleurotus porrigens
rutin
Pleurotus porrigens is an culinary-medicinal mushroom. It is locally called sadafi and is found in the northern regions of Iran, especially in Mazandaran. This mushroom is used to prepare a variety of local and specialty foods. Because of the phenol and flavonoid contents and the strong iron-chelating activity of this mushroom, it was selected for an assay of in vivo iron-chelating activity. Methanolic extract was administered intraperitoneally to iron-overloaded mice at two dosages (200 and 400 mg/kg/24 hours) for a total of 20 days, with a frequency of 5 times a week for 4 successive weeks. The total iron content was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Plasma Fe3+ content was determined using a kit. Liver sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and Perls stain. A significant decrease in the plasma concentration of iron was observed in mice treated with extracts (P < 0.001). The animals showed a dramatic decrease in plasma Fe3+ content when compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Also, Perls stain improved the smaller amount of deposited iron in the liver of iron-overloaded mice treated with the extract. Liver sections revealed a marked reduction in the extent of necrotic hepatocytes, fibrous tissues, and pseudo-lobules. A high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to simultaneously separate 7 phenolic acids in extract. Rutin (1.784 ± 0.052 mg g−1 of extract) and p-coumaric acid (1.026 ± 0.043 mg g−1 of extract) were detected as the main flavonoid and phenolic acids in extract, respectively. The extract exhibited satisfactory potency to chelate excessive iron in mice, potentially offering new natural alternatives to treat patients with iron overload. More studies are needed to determine which compounds are responsible for these biological activities.
Optimization, Purification, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced by the Northern Tooth Mushroom, Climacodon septentrionalis (Basidiomycota)
857-866
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.60
Xuewei
Jia
College of Food and Biological Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Cold Chain Food Quality and Safety Control, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450002, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Production and Safety, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
Kai
Zheng
Xuchang Cigarette Factory, China Tobacco Henan Industry Co. Ltd, Xuchang, Henan, China
Shuai
Liu
College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Henan, China
Chunping
Xu
College of Food and Biological Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Production and Safety, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
medicinal mushrooms
exopolysaccharide
medicinal mushrooms and fungi
optimization
conformation
antioxidant
The optimization, purification, and characterization of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Climacodon septentrionalis were investigated. The results showed that the optimal incubation time was 8 days for EPS production by C. septentrionalis; maltose and soy extract were the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. One kind of EPS fraction was purified; it had a molecular weight of about 3.4 × 105 Da and mainly comprised glucose (98%). The main structure of EPS is α-glucopyranose. In addition, the EPS showed good antioxidant properties in vitro. The thermal stability of EPS also was investigated, and the results suggest that to maintain its bioactivity the processing temperature of EPS should not be more than 200°C. The structural characteristics of EPS, such as molecular weight, functional groups, monosaccharide constituents, and configuration of the glycosidic bond give EPS great potential for application as a natural antioxidant material in health, food, and therapeutics.
Structural Changes of Erythrocyte Surface Glycoconjugates after Treatment with Medicinal Mushrooms
867-878
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.70
Taras Y.
Vitak
Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
Solomon P.
Wasser
International Centre for Biotechnology and Biodiversity of Fungi,
Institute of Evolution and Faculty of Natural Sciences,
University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
Eviatar D.
Nevo
Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, 199 Abba Khousi Ave., Mt. Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Nataliya O.
Sybirna
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine, 4 Hrushevsky St., Lviv 79005, Ukraine
medicinal mushrooms
diabetes mellitus
erythrocyte
Agaricus brasiliensis
Ganoderma lucidum
membrane surface glycoconjugates
streptozotocin
Under conditions of chronic hyperglycemia there is dysregulation of ion homeostasis, violation of redox metabolism and functioning of membrane enzymes, as well as changes in the structural and functional states of erythrocyte membranes. As a result, the aggregation ability of erythrocytes increased and their deformability decreased. These changes lead to complications to microcirculation blood flow and provoke the development of vascular complications caused by diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the effect of the medicinal mushrooms Agaricus brasiliensis and Ganoderma lucidum on the structure of carbohydrate determinants of surface membrane glycoconjugates of rat peripheral blood erythrocytes under both normal conditions and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. The research was carried out using Wistar outbred white rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin intraperitoneally injected once at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The mushroom preparations were orally administered at a dose of 1 g/kg for 14 days. The treatment of diabetic rats by submerged culture mycelium powder restored the physiological balance between sialylation and desialylation processes, renewed the membrane surface charge of red blood cells, normalized aggregation properties, and caused the structural recovery of oligosaccharide chains of erythrocyte membrane surface glycoconjugates. The discovered changes show an improvement in the erythrocyte functional state and rejuvenation of their population caused by biologically active compounds of the studied medicinal mushrooms.
A Water-Ethanol Extract from the Willow Bracket Mushroom, Phellinus igniarius (Higher Basidiomycetes), Reduces Transient Cerebral Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Death
879-889
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.80
Jin Hee
Kim
Institute of Medical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
Bo Young
Choi
Institute of Medical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
Hyun Jung
Kim
Institute of Medical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
In Yeol
Kim
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
Bo Eun
Lee
Institute of Medical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
Min
Sohn
Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Hyoung Jin
Park
MushMed Co., Ltd, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Sang Won
Suh
Institute of Medical Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
medicinal mushrooms
ischemia
Phellinus igniarius
oxidative injury
microglia activation
blood-brain barrier disruption
hippocampus
This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of a mushroom extract from Phellinus igniarius (Piwep) after transient cerebral ischemia. Ph. Igniarius, which has a history of traditional medicinal use, contains immunomodulatory compounds that have been described to have effects on the human immune system. Using a model of transient cerebral ischemia induced by both common carotid artery occlusion and hypovolemia, a water−ethanol extract precipitate of Ph. Igniarius (Piwep) was delivered intraperitoneally immediately after the insult and was injected subsequently every other day for the experimental course. Neuronal death was examined by Fluoro-Jade B staining 1 week after the insult. Piwep injection lead to decreased hippocampal neuronal death, suppression of oxidative injury, activation of microglia, and disruption of the blood−brain barrier. We conclude that Piwep potently inhibits hippocampal neuronal death following ischemia and may have a high therapeutic potential for ameliorating stroke-induced neuron death in the clinical setting.
Antitumor and Immunomodulating Activities of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Big Cup Culinary- Medicinal Mushroom Clitocybe maxima (Higher Basidiomycetes) in Liquid Submerged Culture
891-901
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v17.i9.90
Shu-Hui
Hu
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Peter Chi Keung
Cheung
Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
Raw-Pou
Hung
Department of Dietetics, Zhongxiao Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Nangang District, Taipei, Taiwan
Yu-Kuei
Chen
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, MeiHo University, Neipu Shiang, Pingtung, Taiwan
Jinn-Chyi
Wang
Department of Food Science and Technology, Tajen University, Shin-Erh Village, Yen-Pu Shiang, Pingtung, Taiwan
Sue-Joan
Chang
Department of Life Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, 701
medicinal mushrooms
exopolysaccharide
Clitocybe maxima
antitumor
immunomodulating
liquid submerged culture
Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from mushrooms have been found to have some physiological effects. In this study, exopolysaccharides (EPSs) were extracted by alcohol precipitation from cultivated broth of the mushroom Clitocybe maxima. EPSs with molecular weights of 104 and 105 Da were obtained by ultrafiltration; they are referred to as EPA and EPB, respectively. The major components of these EPSs were glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, and arabinose. ICR mice with artificially induced metastatic pulmonary tumors were fed a daily diet containing EPA or EPB at doses of 8, 20, or 50 mg/kg. Results showed that the proliferation of pulmonary sarcoma lesions was lower in the groups fed EPS. In addition, the numbers of total T cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, and macrophages significantly increased in EPS-fed mice compared with the negative control group. The antitumor and immunomodulating effects observed in the EPB-fed groups were higher than those of EPA-fed groups. These results demonstrate the ability of EPSs of C. maxima to inhibit tumor cells while enhancing immune response.