Begell House Inc.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
IJM
1521-9437
21
2
2019
Cancer without Pharmacological Illusions and a Niche for Mycotherapy (Review)
105-119
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019030047
Ivan V.
Zmitrovich
Laboratory of Systematics and Geography of the Fungi, Komarov Botanical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Popova St. 2, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
Nina V.
Belova
Laboratory of Fungal Biochemistry, Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Professor Popov St., St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
Mikhail E.
Balandaykin
Department of Biology, Ulyanovsk State University, 42 L. Tolstoy St., Ulyanovsk 432017, Russia
Margarita A.
Bondartseva
Laboratory of Systematics and Geography of Fungi of the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Professor Popov St., St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
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
cancer hallmarks
immune tolerance
immunotherapy
medicinal mushrooms
targeted cancer therapy
In this review we outline a framework in which mycotherapy is effective in the field of oncology. We suppose that irreversible epigenomic changes in cancer cells and achieving their replicative immortality when cancer-specific targets are absent should take away any illusions about a fundamental possibility of pharmacological blockage of the cancer process once ontogenesis begins. At the same time, however, we believe that effects of both traditional and alternative medicines on cancer clonogenic units within a particular range can lead to prolonged remission; with this in mind, we carefully consider the various possibilities of mycotherapy in controlling cancer activity. The aforementioned range is limited to nondisseminated cancer processes and depends on the absence of large secondary tumor nodes and the inexhaustibility of immune depots after chemotherapeutic treatment. The main therapeutic effect of fungal bioactive complexes is dectin-1-mediated immunity, including the reprogramming of dendritic cells, which significantly increases the period during which tumors generate immune tolerance. An inhibitory effect of fungal bioactive complexes on some molecular mediators of proliferative signaling and components of proinflammatory (synergistic with cancer) immunity can be considered less significant. The effect of fungal bioactive complexes on vital (including overexpressed) targets of cancer cells is even more limited. The results of this study stress that mycotherapy is only one of the tools that can be used to balance remission. Palliative mycotherapy is associated with polyphenols composites, which contribute to detoxification and to the suppression of inflammation and pain sensation.
Fruiting Body Production of, and Suitable Environmental Ranges for, Growing the Umbrella Polypore Medicinal Mushroom, Polyporus umbellatus (Agaricomycetes), in Natural Conditions in Central Europe
121-129
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018029539
Vladimir
Kunca
Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
Martin
Pavlik
Faculty of Forestry, Department of Integrated Forest and Landscape Protection, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Polyporus umbellatus
edible and medicinal mushrooms
altitude
soil pH
mean annual temperature
Slovakia
This article presents the ecological distribution of the edible and medicinal mushroom Polyporus umbellatus in Central Europe. Our main motivation is to describe the potential for commercial cultivation of this species. All data considered in this study are based on records from 70 localities in Slovakia. Fruiting bodies and sclerotia have been recorded in forests in which beech, hornbeam, and oak dominate, at altitudes ranging from 150 to 935 m (mean altitude, 403 m). In Slovakia, these areas correspond to warm, hilly, and upland beech-oak and oak-beech forests. Mean annual air temperature between 6°C and 9°C characterizes about 94% of the areas. Continuous monitoring of fruiting body production at 13 plots showed peak growth in August. In total, 192 fruiting bodies were recorded over a 5-year period. P. umbellatus predominantly grows in acidic soils (pH 4.5-4.99), with no individuals found in soils with pH above 7.0. Our findings can be used for growing the fungus and expanding its growth to new regions, not only in Central Europe.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of 75 Mushrooms Collected in the Vicinity of Oxford, Ohio (USA)
131-141
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018029710
Faizule
Hassan
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Shuisong
Ni
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Taylor L.
Becker
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Christine M.
Kinstedt
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Jana L.
Abdul-Samad
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Luis A.
Actis
Department of Microbiology, Miami University,
Oxford, OH
Michael A.
Kennedy
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, OH
antibiotic
antibiotic activity
antibiotic resistance
medicinal mushrooms
minimum inhibitory concentration
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an increasing and serious health concern worldwide, and multidrug-resistant pathogens are increasingly emerging among patients across the United States. Researchers are exploring sources of traditional medicines, including mushrooms, to find new antibiotic compounds. In this study, the antibiotic activities of 75 mushrooms collected in the area surrounding Oxford, Ohio (USA), were assayed for antibiotic activity against 6 bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa reference strains PAO1 and PA14, P. fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Micrococcus luteus). Mushroom samples were identified by using DNA ribotyping. We used methanol and water extracts of mushrooms in agar diffusion assays to screen for antibiotic activity toward each bacterial strain. A total of 25 mushroom species had antibacterial activity against at least 1 bacterium. Water extracts of Polyporus squamosus, Ganoderma applanatum, Lentinellus subaustralis, Laetiporus sulphureus, G. lucidum, and Trametes versicolor exhibited strong antibiotic activity against all bacterial strains tested. Water and methanol extracts from 25 mushroom species had significant activity against most of the bacteria tested. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against S. epidermidis was determined for all samples that exhibited antibiotic activity in the disk assay. The G. lucidum and L. sulphureus extracts displayed the strongest inhibition, with an MIC of 0.1 mg/mL.
Effects of Concurrently Administered Aqueous Extract of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes), and Lead Acetate in Rats
143-154
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019029766
Michael T.
Sobowale
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Raymond I.
Ozolua
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Dickson O.
Uwaya
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Buniyamin A.
Ayinde
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
antioxidant
medicinal mushrooms
Ganoderma lucidum extract
lead toxicity
lipid levels
liver enzymes
Ganoderma lucidum is a hard, bitter mushroom with many ethnomedicinal uses, including conditions similar to lead (Pb) toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of a G. lucidum aqueous extract (GL) when concurrently administered with Pb. Adult Wistar rats were administered oral doses of Pb (100 mg/kg) daily for 25 consecutive days. Of the Pb-treated rats, 3 groups received 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day GL, respectively; one group was given only 50 mg/kg/day 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA); and another group was given 400 mg/kg/day GL and 50 mg/kg/day DMSA. Body weight, Pb levels in organs, enzyme and lipid levels in serum, and antioxidant capability were evaluated. Body weights were not significantly altered by GL. All doses of GL significantly reduced the amount of Pb in the liver (P < 0.01) and kidneys (P < 0.05), but not in the spleen. Doses of GL significantly reduced (P < 0.05) amounts of low-density lipoprotein, but not high-density lipoprotein or triglycerides, in serum. Pb-induced increases in amounts of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated by GL. Also, a Pb-induced reduction in the amount of superoxide dismutase was significantly (P < 0.05) reversed, but the nitric oxide level was not significantly elevated. An increased malondialdehyde level, which had been induced by Pb, was significantly (P < 0.01) reversed. In conclusion, GL protects against some of the deleterious effects of Pb ingestion, possibly through antioxidant and other mechanisms. DMSA did not enhance the beneficial effects of GL.
Antioxidant-Rich Peptide Fractions Derived from High-Altitude Chinese Caterpillar Medicinal Mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes) Inhibit Bacterial Pathogens
155-168
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019030013
Jigni
Mishra
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, India
Rakhee
Rajput
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
Kaushlesh
Singh
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
Anju
Bansal
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, 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
Ophiocordyceps sinensis
natural peptides
antibacterial
antioxidant
structure elucidation
medicinal mushrooms
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (=Cordyceps sinensis), a medicinal mushroom native to the Orient, has been extensively used for the past few centuries in traditional Chinese medicine because of its immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, and nutraceutical properties. In the present study, three antioxidant and antibacterial Ophiocordyceps peptide fractions (COPs) were separated from the Indian variety of O. sinensis on a Sephadex G-25 resin. Amide bonds in the COPs were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Cationic and hydrophobic amino acids, which are reported to be the major constituent amino acids of antimicrobial peptides, were identified in the COPs by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Putative secondary structures were predicted by circular dichroism to be β-sheets and random coils. The COPs demonstrated substantial antioxidant potential by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (median inhibitory concentration [IC50] values, 4.79-18.7 mg/mL) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sul-phonic acid (IC50 values, 4.51-14.05 mg/mL) free radicals and also by chelating heavy metal ions. Additionally, the peptide fractions were capable of significantly inhibiting bacterial pathogens viz. Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. The potential antibacterial mechanisms of action were established to be generation of reactive oxygen species and intracellular protein leakage within the bacterial cells.
Monitoring Heavy Metals in Royal Sun Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus brasiliensis (Agaricomycetes)
169-179
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018029724
Eduardo Marin
Morales
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Bioscience, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil; Department of Nutrition, Faculdade Municipal Professor Franco Montoro, Cachoeira de Cima, Mogi Guacu SP, Brazil
Bruna Leticia
Baldissera
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Bioscience, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro,
SP, Brazil
Dejanira de Franceschi
de Angelis
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Institute of Bioscience, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro,
SP, Brazil
adsorption
Agaricus brasiliensis
cadmium
chromium
health risk
heavy metal contamination
lead
medicinal mushrooms
mushroom production
Agaricus brasiliensis is popular because of its nutritional and medicinal properties. Brazil supplies this edible mushroom to international markets, where quality standards are very restrictive regarding the allowable concentrations of heavy metals, especially cadmium. In order to evaluate the accumulation of cadmium, chromium, and lead in A. brasiliensis, the fungus was grown as producers cultivate it, using plastic bags containing inoculated compost with soil as a covering. We analyzed the soil and compost using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine their physical and chemical properties and natural concentrations of the heavy metals cadmium, chromium, and lead. In addition to the metals naturally found in the soil and compost, 6.6 mgkg-1 cadmium chloride, 13.2 mgkg-1 chromium sulfate, and 1.2 mgkg-1 lead nitrate were added to the soil covering to simulate contaminated soils and to allow us to evaluate potential adsorption by the fungus. An analysis of the fruiting bodies after fructification showed accumulation of the heavy metals, with the greatest amount in those fruiting bodies that had been contaminated with cadmium. Furthermore, the contaminated fruiting bodies had the least raw protein content, were physically deformed, and exhibited variations in the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses.
Bioprospecting of Wild Mushrooms from India with Respect to Their Medicinal Aspects
181-192
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019029969
Foziya
Khan
Department of Bioengineering, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, India
Ramesh
Chandra
Department of Bioengineering, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Ranchi, India
Agaricus bisporus
Agaricus campestris
Aspergillus niger
bioprospecting
Escherichia coli
India
medicinal mushrooms
The forest region of the Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India, is rich with various wild mushrooms. Of the 200 samples collected, 9 species were identified and subjected to medicinal studies. For antibacterial assay, 4 strains of bacteria (namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and P. putida) were used. For antifungal assay, 4 strains of fungi (namely, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Microsporum canis, and Cladosporium herbarum) were used. Also, tests such as the α-amylase inhibition assay, a measure of antidiabetes activity, and antioxidant assays such as the DPPH, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory assays, which determine anti-Alzheimer disease properties, were carried out. Agaricus bisporus, A. campestris, Russula cyanoxantha, and Amanita pantherina all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. putida and M. canis. Ganoderma lucidum, Astraeus hygrometricus, and R. emetica all showed a maximal zone of inhibition against E. coli and A. flavus. Pleurotus populinus showed a maximal zone of inhibition against P. fluorescens and C. herbarum. P. pulmonarius showed a maximal zone of inhibition against S. typhi and M. canis. Also, all the collected samples showed α-amylase-inhibitory activity. A. hygrometricus showed maximal DPPH activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power, whereas A. bisporus showed maximal acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
Safety Evaluation of an Aqueous Extract of Termitomyces robustus (Agaricomycetes) in Wistar Rats
193-203
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018029737
Eziuche Amadike
Ugbogu
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Emmanuel Iroha
Akubugwo
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Victor Chibueze
Ude
Department of Medical Biochemistry,
College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria
Okezie
Emmanuel
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Nduka Ozoji
Okomba
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Cynthia
Ibe
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Ozioma
Onyero
Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
antihyperlipidemia
Basidiomycetes
hematopoiesis
hepatotoxicity
medicinal mushrooms
Termitomyces robustus
Termitomyces robustus is an edible and highly nutritious wild Basidiomycetes mushroom. It is used in ethnomedicine for treating malnutrition-related diseases, rheumatism, diarrhea, gonorrhea, anemia, and hypertension. Despite the tremendous use of this delicious edible mushroom as a source of nutrients, no comprehensive literature describes its safety and toxicity profiles. Therefore, this study evaluated the toxicity profile of an aqueous T. robustus extract in rats. In the acute toxicity test, male and female rats were orally administered daily a single dose of up to 10 g/kg extract. In the subacute toxicity test, male rats were orally administered the T. robustus extract at graded doses of 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg for 14 days. No mortality or any signs of toxicity were observed in the acute toxicity study, indicating that the median lethal dose (LD50) of T. robustus is greater than 10 g/kg. In the subacute toxicity study, T. robustus had no effect (P > 0.05) on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, neutrophil, lymphocyte, or lipid profile parameters in any of the rats. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted in alanine aminotransferase, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, platelets, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes in the tested groups when compared to values from the control group. No histopathological alterations or changes were observed in the liver or kidneys of the rats. This study established that an aqueous extract of T. robustus is nontoxic and therefore safe for consumption at the tested doses.
Mushroom Cultivation: An Illustrated Guide to Growing Your Own Mushrooms at Home
205-206
10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2019030015
Craig
Soderberg
University of Texas
Mushrooms
Understanding how mushrooms grow is crucial to successfully cultivating them, and Mushroom cultivation offers comprehensive instruction both on how mushrooms grow and how you can cultivate them yourself.