Antioxidant potential of ganoderic acid in Notch-1 protein in neuroblastoma

Research Progress on the Biological Activity of Ganoderic Acids in Ganoderma lucidum over the Last Five Years

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a traditional edible and medicinal mushroom in China. The main bioactive components in G. lucidum include triterpenoids, polysaccharides, steroids, and sterols. Ganoderic acids (GAs) are one of the most abundant triterpenoids found in G. lucidum, garnering significant attention from researchers in the fields of medicine and health care. We summarize the extensive studies on the physiological function of GAs in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, radiation protection, anti-aging, liver protection, anti-microbial, and neuroprotection areas, among others. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the bioactivities and pharmacological mechanisms of GAs, aiming to delineate the current research directions and the state of the art in this field. This analysis helps to rapidly identify new bioactivities of GAs and understand their mechanisms, leading to more effective treatments for various diseases.

Neuroprotective Effect of Ganoderic Acid against Focal Ischemic Stroke Induced by Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in the Rats via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Stroke is recognized as a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, posing a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries. The current study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Ganoderic acid (GA) against focal ischemic stroke in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Swiss Wistar rats were used for the current study. The rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to simulate transient focal ischemia, followed by reperfusion. Various neurological parameters, including infarct size, neurological deficit score, brain water content, Evans blue leakage, nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant levels, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis markers, inflammatory parameters, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) levels, were estimated. Additionally, mRNA expressions were evaluated in the brain tissue.

RESULTS

Dose dependently treatment of GA significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed the infarct size, neurological deflects score, brain water, evans blue leakage, NO, iNOS, LDH, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR-4), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), S100 calcium-binding protein B (S-100β) and K+-Cl- cotransporter 1 (KCC1) positive cells. GA altered the level of oxidative stress parameters like Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA); cytokines viz., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10; inflammatory parameters such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin (PGE2), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB); apoptosis parameters like B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated protein x (Bax), Caspase-3; matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) parameters like MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9, respectively. GA remarkably suppressed the mRNA expression of TRL-4, Syndecan-1, CSF, Aquaporin-1, OCT3, and RFX1.

CONCLUSION

Ganoderic acid exhibited the protection against the cerebral ischemia reperfusion via multiple mechanism.

Metabolomics Reveals Glycerophospholipids, Peptides, and Flavonoids Contributing to Breast Meat Flavor and Benefit Properties of Beijing-You Chicken

Unique metabolites contribute to the performance of meat flavor and potential function. In this study, UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X-based metabolomics and multivariate analysis were applied to explore the characteristic metabolites in the breast meat of Beijing-You chicken (BYC) aged 150, 300, and 450 days (D150, D300, and D450). Based on the criteria of variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1 and p < 0.05, a total of 154 and 97 differential metabolites (DMs) were screened out compared with D450 (D450 vs. D150, D450 vs. D300), respectively. In general, the relative content of carnosine, L-L-homoglutathione, demethyloleuropein, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, 7-chloro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, glycerophospholipids, exhibited the highest abundance at D450, while balenine, anserine, L-beta-aspartyl-L-leucine, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, stearoylcarnitine, ganoderic acid alpha, oleuroside, Lysoglycerophospholipid species (LGP) presented a downward trend with age. These 210 DMs were involved in 10 significantly enriched pathways related to the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids, peptides, and glycerophospholipid, such as glutathione metabolism, histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and lysine degradation. In conclusion, this work could not only facilitate a better understanding of the differences of chicken flavor and benefit properties with age, but also provide potential valuable bioactive compounds for further research.

Metabolomic Insights into the Mechanisms of Ganoderic Acid: Protection against α-Amanitin-Induced Liver Injury

α-Amanitin is a representative toxin found in the Amanita genus of mushrooms, and the consumption of mushrooms containing α-Amanitin can lead to severe liver damage. In this study, we conduct toxicological experiments to validate the protective effects of Ganoderic acid A against α-amanitin-induced liver damage. By establishing animal models with different durations of Ganoderic acid A treatment and conducting a metabolomic analysis of the serum samples, we further confirmed the differences in serum metabolites between the AMA+GA and AMA groups. The analysis of differential serum metabolites after the Ganoderic acid A intervention suggests that Ganoderic acid A may intervene in α-amanitin-induced liver damage by participating in the regulation of retinol metabolism, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, sphingosine biosynthesis, spermidine and spermine biosynthesis, and branched-chain amino acid metabolism. This provides initial insights into the protective intervention mechanisms of GA against α-amanitin-induced liver damage and offers new avenues for the development of therapeutic drugs for α-Amanitin poisoning.

The putatively high-altitude adaptation of macaque monkeys: Evidence from the fecal metabolome and gut microbiome

Animals living in high-altitude environments, such as the Tibetan Plateau, must face harsh environmental conditions (e.g., hypoxia, cold, and strong UV radiation). These animals' physiological adaptations (e.g., increased red cell production and turnover rate) might also be associated with the gut microbial response. Bilirubin is a component of red blood cell turnover or destruction and is excreted into the intestine and reduced to urobilinoids and/or urobilinogen by gut bacteria. Here, we found that the feces of macaques living in high-altitude regions look significantly browner (with a high concentration of stercobilin, a component from urobilinoids) than those living in low-altitude regions. We also found that gut microbes involved in urobilinogen reduction (e.g., beta-glucuronidase) were enriched in the high-altitude mammal population compared to the low-altitude population. Moreover, the spatial-temporal change in gut microbial function was more profound in the low-altitude macaques than in the high-altitude population, which might be attributed to profound changes in food resources in the low-altitude regions. Therefore, we conclude that a high-altitude environment's stress influences living animals and their symbiotic microbiota.

A review of anti-tumour effects of Ganoderma lucidum in gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is the most common cancer in the world and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. Clinically, surgical excision and chemotherapy are the main treatment methods for GI cancer, which is unfortunately accompanied with serious adverse reactions and drug toxicity, bringing irreversible damage to patients and seriously affecting the quality of life. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. Its bioactive compounds mainly include polysaccharides, triterpenes, and proteins, which have potential anti-tumor activities by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting metastasis, and regulating autophagy. Currently, there is no in-depth review on the anti-tumor effect of G. lucidum in GI cancer. Therefore, this review is an attempt to compile the basic characteristics, anti-GI caner mechanisms, and clinical application of G. lucidum, aiming to provide a reference for further research on the role of G. lucidum in the prevention and treatment of GI cancer from the perspective of traditional Chinese and western medicine.

Ganoderic Acid A Inhibits High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells

Objective

We aimed to investigate the role of ganoderic acid A (GAA) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) under high glucose (HG).

Methods

GMCs were pretreated with GAA and then cultured under HG condition for 24 h. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The production of intracellular ROS was determined using DCFH-DA. The activities of SOD and CAT were measured using ELISA kits. The expressions of NOX2, NOX4, fibronectin (FN), collagen IV (col IV), p38, and p-p38 were detected by western blot.

Results

GAA suppressed GMC proliferation in response to HG stimulation. GAA significantly attenuated HG-caused increase in ROS production and decreases in SOD and CAT activities in GMCs. In addition, the increased expressions of NOX2 and NOX4 and NOX activity in HG-induced GMCs were significantly decreased by GAA. Furthermore, GAA greatly inhibited the levels of FN and col IV in HG-stimulated GMCs. Mechanistic investigations showed that HG caused activation of p38 MAPK pathway, whereas the induction was mitigated by GAA. Notably, the specific agonist of p38 MAPK pathway (P79350) reversed the effects of GAA on GMCs.

Conclusion

GAA protected GMCs from HG-induced oxidative stress and ECM production, which was mediated by the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway.

GSNOR regulates ganoderic acid content in Ganoderma lucidum under heat stress through S-nitrosylation of catalase

As a master regulator of the balance between NO signaling and protein S-nitrosylation, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) reductase (GSNOR) is involved in various developmental processes and stress responses. However, the proteins and specific sites that can be S-nitrosylated, especially in microorganisms, and the physiological functions of S-nitrosylated proteins remain unclear. Herein, we show that the ganoderic acid (GA) content in GSNOR-silenced (GSNORi) strains is significantly lower (by 25%) than in wild type (WT) under heat stress (HS). Additionally, silencing GSNOR results in an 80% increase in catalase (CAT) activity, which consequently decreases GA accumulation via inhibition of ROS signaling. The mechanism of GSNOR-mediated control of CAT activity may be via protein S-nitrosylation. In support of this possibility, we show that CAT is S-nitrosylated (as shown via recombinant protein in vitro and via GSNORi strains in vivo). Additionally, Cys (cysteine) 401, Cys642 and Cys653 in CAT are S-nitrosylation sites (assayed via mass spectrometry analysis), and Cys401 may play a pivotal role in CAT activity. These findings indicate a mechanism by which GSNOR responds to stress and regulates secondary metabolite content through protein S-nitrosylation. Our results also define a new S-nitrosylation site and the function of an S-nitrosylated protein regulated by GSNOR in microorganisms.

Liu et al. identify catalase as a target of S-nitrosylation by GSNOR and the specific sites of S-nitrosylation critical for its role in regulating secondary metabolite production in Ganoderma lucidum under heat stress. This study suggests that GSNOR regulates other metabolic pathways in microorganisms through S-nitrosylation of target proteins in response to environmental changes.

Macrofungi as a Nutraceutical Source: Promising Bioactive Compounds and Market Value

Macrofungi production and economic value have been increasing globally. The demand for macrofungi has expanded rapidly owing to their popularity among consumers, pleasant taste, and unique flavors. The presence of high quality proteins, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, triterpene sterols, and secondary metabolites makes macrofungi an important commodity. Macrofungi are well known for their ability to protect from or cure various health problems, such as immunodeficiency, cancer, inflammation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity. Many studies have demonstrated their medicinal properties, supported by both in vivo and in vitro experimental studies, as well as clinical trials. Numerous bioactive compounds isolated from mushrooms, such as polysaccharides, proteins, fats, phenolic compounds, and vitamins, possess strong bioactivities. Consequently, they can be considered as an important source of nutraceuticals. Numerous edible mushrooms have been studied for their bioactivities, but only a few species have made it to the market. Many species remain to be explored. The converging trends and popularity of eastern herbal medicines, natural/organic food product preference, gut-healthy products, and positive outlook towards sports nutrition are supporting the growth in the medicinal mushroom market. The consumption of medicinal mushrooms as functional food or dietary supplement is expected to markedly increase in the future. The global medicinal mushroom market size is projected to increase by USD 13.88 billion from 2018 to 2022. The global market values of promising bioactive compounds, such as lentinan and lovastatin, are also expected to rise. With such a market growth, mushroom nutraceuticals hold to be very promising in the years to come.

Ganoderic Acid A-Mediated Modulation of Microglial Polarization is Involved in Depressive-Like Behaviors and Neuroinflammation in a Rat Model of Post-Stroke Depression

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke. Ganoderic acid A (GAA), one of the main bioactive Ganoderma triterpenoids, exerts preventive and therapeutic effects in many diseases. However, the function of GAA in PSD has not been well studied.

METHODS

PSD model was established via stimulating rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulations (CUMS) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were treated with GAA before CUMS. Depressive-like behaviors were investigated by body weight alteration, open field test (OFT), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Neuronal damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Western blotting. Inflammation was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microglial polarization was analyzed via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway was analyzed by Western blotting, and inactivated by the inhibitor PD98059 (PD).

RESULTS

GAA attenuated PSD-induced depressive-like behaviors in rats. GAA mitigated PSD-induced neuronal damage and reduced BDNF and NGF levels in the cerebral hippocampus. GAA weakened PSD-induced inflammatory response in the cerebral hippocampus. GAA prevented pro-inflammatory (M1) polarization and promoted anti-inflammatory (M2) polarization, as indicated by decreased iNOS and CD86 levels and increased Arg-1 and CD206 levels. GAA restored the PSD-induced inactivation of the ERK/CREB pathway. GAA regulated M1/M2 microglial polarization by activating the ERK/CREB pathway.

CONCLUSION

GAA alleviated the depressive-like behaviors and brain inflammation in PSD rats, indicating its potential for PSD therapy.

Ganoderic acid A holds promising cytotoxicity on human glioblastoma mediated by incurring apoptosis and autophagy and inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Ganoderic acid A (GA-A), recognized as a lanostanetriterpene isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, demonstrates an efficient antitumor activity in multiple cancers. To date, it is unclear whether and how GA-A functions on human glioblastoma (GBM). To unravel the functional significance of GA-A on human glioblastoma (GBM), the cell-counting kit-8 and transwell assays were used to detect proliferation, migration, and invasion of human GBM cell after GA-A treatment. Then, we utilized the flow cytometry and western blot to further evaluate the effect of GA-A on GBM cell. Further, activities of autophagy and PI3K/AKT signaling were assessed by Western blot assay. We found that GA-A significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cell. Additionally, GA-A markedly triggered cell apoptosis, which incarnated an elevation trend in apoptotic percentage, simultaneously, an increased level of proapoptosis protein (Bax and active caspase-3) and a decreased level of antiapoptosis protein (Bcl-2), induced by GA-A treatment. Meanwhile, levels of two well-known autophagy markers (beclin 1 and LC3 II) increased while another autophagic substrate (P-62) was reduced. Moreover, the expressions levels of phosphorylated AKT, mTOR, p-P70S6K, and cyclin D1 in the PI3K/AKT pathway were significantly reduced, which revealed GA-A repressed the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, these results indicate that GA-A may encourage U251 cell growth and invasion/migration inhibition, apoptosis, and autophagy through the inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in human GBM. Hence, GA-A may be a potent antitumorigenic agent for human GBM in future clinical practice.