Progress of research on Inonotus obliquus

Structural analysis of polysaccharide from Inonotus obliquus and investigate combined impact on the sex hormones, intestinal microbiota and metabolism in SPF male mice

The dysregulation of sex hormone levels is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity. Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) exhibits a promising therapeutic effect on conditions like obesity and diabetes, potentially linked to its influence on intestinal microbiota and metabolism. The exact cause and mechanisms that link sex hormones, gut microbiota and metabolism are still unknown. In this research, we examined the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic bond type of IOP. We found that IOP mostly consists of alpha-structured 6‑carbon glucopyranose, with a predominant (1 → 4) linkage to monosaccharides and a uniform distribution. Following this, we administered two different concentrations of IOP to mice through gavage. The results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated a significant increase in testosterone (T) levels in the IOP group as compared to the control group. Additionally, the results of tissue immunofluorescence indicated that increased IOP led to a decrease in adiponectin content and an increase in SET protein expression. The study also revealed changes in the intestinal microbiota and metabolic changes in mice through 16S rRNA data and non-targeted LC-MS data, respectively. The study also found that IOP mainly affects pathways linked to glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, it has been observed that there is an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria, such as the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and g.Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, while the levels of metabolites that are linked to obesity or diabetes, such as 1,5-anhydrosorbitol, are reduced. Furthermore, biomarker screening has revealed that the main microorganism responsible for the differences between the three groups is g.Erysipelatoclostridiaceae. In summary, these findings suggest that IOP exerts its therapeutic effects through a synergistic interplay between sex hormones, gut microbiome composition, and metabolic processes.

Chaga mushroom: a super-fungus with countless facets and untapped potential

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.

Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide are linear molecules that alter the abundance and composition of intestinal microbiota in Sprague Dawley rats

Introduction

The macromolecular polysaccharide Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) is composed of various monosaccharides, and it could modulate the composition and diversity of intestinal flora. However, its impact on the intestinal flora in rats of different genders remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the structural changes of IOP and its effects on the intestinal flora after administration in male and female rats.

Methods

In this study, the molecular weight and purity of IOP were analyzed by high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) and phenol sulfuric acid method, and NMR was used to confirm the chemical structure of IOP. Sex hormone [testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2)] levels and intestinal microbial changes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 16S rRNA, respectively, after gavage of IOP (100 mg/kg) in male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.

Results

HPGPC analysis showed that the average molecular weight (Mw) of IOP was 4,828  Da, and the total sugar content of the purified IOP was 96.2%, indicating that the polysaccharide is of high purity. NMR revealed that IOP is a linear macromolecule with an α-D-type glucose backbone. The results of ELISA and 16S rRNA showed that the IOP increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Clostridia_UCG-014 and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31, and reduced that of harmful bacteria, such as Colidextribacter and Desulfobacterota in the intestine of both male and female rats, and IOP changed the levels of sex hormones in male and female rats. Further analyses revealed that the increase in alpha diversity was higher in male than female rats. α diversity and β diversity revealed a significant difference in the composition of cecal microbiota between male and female rats in the control group, but IOP intake reduced this difference. Meanwhile, α analysis revealed a change in the composition of bacterial flora was more stable in male than female rats.

Conclusions

This study enhances our comprehension of the IOP structure and elucidates the alterations in intestinal flora following IOP administration in rats of varying genders. Nonetheless, further investigation is warranted to explore the specific underlying reasons for these discrepancies.

Integrated omic profiling of the medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus under submerged conditions

BACKGROUND

The Inonotus obliquus mushroom, a wondrous fungus boasting edible and medicinal qualities, has been widely used as a folk medicine and shown to have many potential pharmacological secondary metabolites. The purpose of this study was to supply a global landscape of genome-based integrated omic analysis of the fungus under lab-growth conditions.

RESULTS

This study presented a genome with high accuracy and completeness using the Pacbio Sequel II third-generation sequencing method. The de novo assembled fungal genome was 36.13 Mb, and contained 8352 predicted protein-coding genes, of which 365 carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme)-coding genes and 19 biosynthetic gene clusters (BCGs) for secondary metabolites were identified. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed a global view of differential metabolic change between seed and fermentation culture, and demonstrated positive correlations between transcription and expression levels of 157 differentially expressed genes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, secondary metabolites, antioxidant and immune responses. Facilitated by the widely targeted metabolomic approach, a total of 307 secondary substances were identified and quantified, with a significant increase in the production of antioxidant polyphenols.

CONCLUSION

This study provided the comprehensive analysis of the fungus Inonotus obliquus, and supplied fundamental information for further screening of promising target metabolites and exploring the link between the genome and metabolites.

Comparison of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites and Cytotoxicity of Extracts from Inonotus obliquus Isolates from Different Host Species

Inonotus obliquus, a wood-decaying mushroom, has been used as a health-promoting supplement and nutraceutical for centuries. It is a source of bioactive compounds accumulated in both the conks (pseudosclerotia/sclerotia) and the biomass obtained in vitro. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the bioelements and selected metabolites produced in mycelial cultures obtained from different host species. The mycochemical potential of mycelial cultures isolated from pseudosclerotia grown in Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa, and Carpinus betulus was compared. Parent cultures were obtained in two types of medium (malt extract agar substrates without and with birch wood). Experimental cultures were developed in 2 L bioreactors for 10 days. The content of bioelements was determined using FAAS and FAES methods. Organic compounds were estimated using the RP-HPLC-DAD method. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was evaluated in human keratinocytes HaCaT, human skin fibroblasts BJ, human liver cancer HepG2, human melanoma A375, and mouse melanoma B16-F10. The extracts showed the presence of bioelements: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and copper; phenolic acids: p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, p-coumaric, and protocatechuic; sterols: lanosterol, ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide; triterpene compounds: betulin, betulinic acid, inotodiol; indole compounds: L-tryptophan, tryptamine, 5-methyltryptamine, melatonin. The content of bioactive substances in the biomass was dependent on both the origin of the host species of the fungus isolate and the type of culture medium. Based on the results of this study, mycelial cultures can be proposed as a potential source of bioactive compounds and are promising naturally derived cytotoxic agents.

Structural diversity, fermentation production, bioactivities and applications of triterpenoids from several common medicinal fungi: Recent advances and future perspectives

Medicinal fungi are beneficial to human health and it reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Triterpenoids are polycyclic compounds derived from the straight-chain hydrocarbon squalene, which are widely distributed in medicinal fungi. Triterpenoids from medicinal fungal sources possess diverse bioactive activities such as anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity. This review article describes the structure, fermentation production, biological activities, and application of triterpenoids from the medicinal fungi including Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Antrodia camphorata, Inonotus obliquus, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Laetiporus sulphureus. Besides, the research perspectives of triterpenoids from medicinal fungi are also proposed. This paper provides useful guidance and reference for further research on medicinal fungi triterpenoids.

Inonotus obliquus sclerotia epidermis were different from internal tissues in compound composition, antioxidant activity, and associated fungi

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal fungus with potential for use in various health applications. To better utilize this fungus, this study focused on epidermis and internal tissues of five sclerotia from different regions in Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Heilongjiang, examining their polyphenols, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and total triterpenes contents. And evaluated the extracts from sclerotia for their total antioxidant capacity and scavenging ability of DPPH free radicals. The study also isolated the associated fungi from the epidermis and internal tissues of three sclerotia. Results revealed that the polyphenol content was higher in the epidermis than in internal tissue of every sclerotium. However, flavonoid and total triterpenoid content was lower in the epidermis of every sclerotium. The polysaccharide content was no significant in different parts of three sclerotia, but the epidermal polysaccharide content in two sclerotia was significantly higher than in internal tissues. The internal tissue extracts from tested sclerotia exhibited better scavenging ability of DPPH free radicals than those from the epidermis. There was no significant difference in total antioxidant capacity among different parts of three sclerotia, and the internal tissues' total antioxidant capacity in two sclerotia was higher than the epidermis. The number and species of associated fungi in the internal tissues were far less than that in the epidermis. The study suggests separating the epidermis and internal tissue for medicinal use. The research provides insights into the bioactive components and associated fungi of I. obliquus to inform its practical application in medicine.

PrPSc Inhibition and Cellular Protection of DBL on a Prion-Infected Cultured Cell via Multiple Pathways

Prion diseases are kinds of fatal neurodegenerative diseases without effective therapeutic and prophylactic tools currently. In this study, the inhibition of PrP^Sc propagation and cellular protectivity of 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone (DBL), a small catechol-containing compound isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Inonotus obliquus, upon a prion-infected cell line SMB-S15 were evaluated. Western blots showed that after incubation with 10 μM of DBL for 14 days, the level of PrP^Sc in SMB-S15 cells was significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the levels of ROS and hydrogen peroxide were decreased with a dose-dependent manner, whereas the levels of some antioxidant factors, such as HO-1, GCLC and GCLM, were significantly increased. The activities of total glutathione and SOD were up-regulated. DBL-treated SMB-S15 cells also showed the up-regulation of UPR-related proteins, including PERK, IRE1α, ATF6 and GRP78, and activation of autophagy system. Furthermore, the SIRT3 abnormalities caused by prion infection were relieved by DBL treatment. On the contrary, these comprehensive changes were not significantly noticed in the normal partner cell line SMB-PS under the same experimental condition. Those data indicate that treatment of DBL on prion-infected cells can reduce PrP^Sc level, activate UPR and autophagy system and meanwhile relieve intracellular oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by raising the levels of multiple antioxidant factors. The PrP^Sc inhibition and protective effectiveness of DBL upon the prion-infected cells in vitro make it worthy of further study.

Influence of substrate wood species on the formation of antiviral properties of <I>Inonotus rheades</I> Pers. P. Karst. (1882) mycelium extracts regarding tick-borne encephalitis virus

Background. The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most dangerous and epidemiologically significant vector-borne pathogens. There is a need for effective antiviral agents for the treatment and prevention of this infection. Previously we found that the mycelium of Inonotus rheades grown on birch wood contains water-soluble substances with strong virulicidal properties against TBEV. It is necessary to check whether the mycelium of I. rheades can synthesize virulicidal substances from wood of other species.

The aim: to study the antiviral properties of extracts of I. rheades mycelium grown on coniferous wood, both in the presence and in the absence of blue light during cultivation.

Materials and methods. The mycelium of I.  rheades was grown on birch, pine, and fir wood. The direct virulicidal effect of the extract was evaluated by the decrease in the titer of the infectious virus incubated in the presence of the extract. The ability of the extract to inhibit the reproduction of the virus in infected cells was studied by  the  calculation of 50  % effective concentration (EC50). The toxicity of extracts for cells was evaluated based on the calculation of 50 % cytotoxic concentration.

Results. Mycelium extracts grown on conifers under blue light do not cause a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of infectious TBEV (p = 0.2563). However, the BP10 extract (pine, blue light) inhibits TBEV reproduction in infected cells (EC50 = 0.28 ± 0.06 mg/mL). Toxicity for SPEV cell culture is low. In the extracts of conifers grown in the dark, no antiviral effect was found at all.

Conclusions. The component composition and mechanism of the antiviral action of I. rheades extracts are determined by the species of the wood substrate. The most promising sources of new drugs in relation to TBEV appear to be extracts of I. rheades mycelium grown on birch and pine. 

Effect of Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat extract on the regulation of glycolipid metabolism via PI3K/Akt and AMPK/ACC pathways in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat is a mushroom belonging to the family Hymenochaetaceae. It is popularly called the Chaga mushroom in Russian folk medicine and has been used as a traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus in Eastern European and Asian countries. However, its effects on glycolipid metabolism disorders and underlying molecular mechanism of action remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

I. obliquus contains abundant functional components, which provide potential medicinal value. The purpose of this study was to investigate compositions of I. obliquus extract with a high-pressure water extraction method, and investigate the anti-type 2 diabetic effects of I. obliquus extract and the possible underlying mechanisms involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The I. obliquus was extracted by a high-pressure water extraction method, and tested its main components by special assay kit and instrumental analysis. Type 2 diabetic C57BL/6 mice were induced by high-fat diet with low-dose STZ injection, and were daily gavaged with different doses of I. obliquus extract for 8 weeks. Glycemic, blood lipid profile, and histopathology of liver and pancreas were assessed. Underlying mechanisms related to glycemic control in liver were further performed.

RESULTS

The I. obliquus extract main compounds were β-Glucans, triterpenoids and polyphenol by determination. Oral administration of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg I. obliquus extract significantly alleviated blood glucose and insulin resistance. Moreover, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of I. obliquus extract increased liver glycogen content and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels while decreased total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), p-protein kinase B (Akt), p-adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), and p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were upregulated, whereas sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were downregulated after supplement with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of I. obliquus extract. Interestingly, I. obliquus extract was a dose-effect relationship within a certain range. 250 mg/kg had obvious anti-diabetes effect, and the effect of 500 mg/kg dose was the same as that of metformin.

CONCLUSION

I. obliquus extract ameliorated insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic mice. The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of I. obliquus extract were supposedly exerted via the regulation of the PI3K/Akt and AMPK/ACC signaling pathways.

Antiviral Properties of Water Extracts of Mycelium <i>Inonotus rheades</i> (Pers.) P. Karst. (1882) against the Virus of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus <i>in vitro</i>

Background. Tick-borne encephalitis virus is dangerous and widespread pathogen that is transmitted to humans through the bites of hard ticks. Wild fungi, such as xylotrophic basidiomycetes, are widely used in traditional medicine to treat the infectious diseases and are promising natural sources of new antiviral agents. It was previously shown that aqueous extracts from the mycelium of the Inonotus rheades (Pers.) P. Karst. (1882) fungus exhibit significant antiviral activity against tick-borne encephalitis virus, however, the mechanisms of this activity remain unclear.

Aim. To analyze the relationship between the virucidal properties of I. rheades extract and the substrate on which the cultivation was carried out.

Materials and methods. The mycelium was grown either in a standard liquid medium with wort or on wooden disks from birch. Extracts of water-soluble polysaccharides were prepared from both mycelium samples. The concentration of infectious tick-borne encephalitis virus was determined using the method of titration of plaque-forming components (PFU). Approximately 30 000 PFU of tick-borne encephalitis virus was mixed with an equal volume of corresponding I. rheades extract at concentration of 8 mg/mL and incubated for 30 min at 37 °C. Afterwards, the residual infectivity of tick-borne encephalitis virus was determined using the identical virus sample incubated with sterile water as a reference.

Results. It was found that treatment of tick-borne encephalitis virus with extracts from I. rheades mycelium resulted in inhibition of the infectivity of the virus in the cell culture. However, the same strain of I. rheades, grown on medium with wort, did not exhibit antiviral properties.

Conclusions. Virucidal substances are likely to be not the main metabolites of the mycelium of I. rheades, but are rather metabolized wood polysaccharides. Further research is needed to more accurately identify the active ingredients and assess their antiviral activity.

Structure elucidation of a new triterpene from Inonotus obliquus

Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of the Inonotus obliquus (Hymenochaetaceae) significantly inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine BV2 microglial cells. A new triterpene, characterized as inonotusol H (1), was isolated from the EtOAc fraction using the bioactivity-guided fractionation together with four known triterpenes, inotodiol (2), trametenolic acid (3), inonotsutriols A (4), and inonotusol A (5). Among them, Compounds 2-4 significantly reduced LPS-induced nitric oxide production to 4.5 ± 0.8%, 47.4 ± 4.4%, and 2.8 ± 1.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 30 μM.

Composition of Triterpenoids in Inonotus obliquus and Their Anti-Proliferative Activity on Cancer Cell Lines

The objective of this study was to determine the composition of triterpenoids in the extracts from the inner and outer parts of Inonotus obliquus and to evaluate their anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines (HT-29, AGS, MCF-7, and PC3). Inner and outer parts of I. obliquus were extracted with 80% methanol for 24 h. The extract was fractionated by Diaion HP-20 resin to obtain the triterpenoid fraction. Composition of triterpenoids in the fraction was analyzed by HPLC and LC-ESI-MS. Anti-proliferative activity was evaluated by MTT assay against cancer cell lines. Inotodiol and trametenolic acid were major triterpenoids in both of the inner and outer parts of I. obliquus. Inotodiol in triterpenoid fractions from the inner and outer parts of I. obliquus was 153.9 ± 15.4 mg/g (dry basis (db)) and 194.1 ± 11.5 mg/g, respectively. Trametenolic acid in triterpenoid fractions from the inner and outer parts of I. obliquus was 94.5 ± 9.15 mg/g (db) and 106.3 ± 8.23 mg/g, respectively. Triterpenoids in the outer part were significantly higher than those in the inner part. Anti-proliferative activity of the triterpenoid fraction from the outer part against AGS, MCF-7, and PC3 was also significantly higher than that of the inner part.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of Inonotus obliquus

The article presents the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of compounds and extracts from Inonotus obliquus. Polysaccharides isolated from sclerotium have a direct antitumor effect due to protein synthesis inhibition in tumor cells. Polysaccharides derived from the mycelium function by activating the immune system. Due to the limited toxicity of these substances, both extracts as well as isolated and purified chemicals may be a good alternative to current chemotherapy and play a role in cancer prevention. In vitro experiments have shown the inhibition of inflammation with the influence of action of I. obliquus extracts; however, in vivo experiments on animals implanted with tumor cells of different types have shown the activation of the host immune system. This led to decrease in tumor mass and prolonged survival. The immunomodulatory mechanism of action is complex and it seems that stimulation of macrophages and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is of great importance.

Safety assessment of mushrooms in dietary supplements by combining analytical data with in silico toxicology evaluation

Despite growing popularity in dietary supplements, many medicinal mushrooms have not been evaluated for their safe human consumption using modern techniques. The multifaceted approach described here relies on five key principles to evaluate the safety of non-culinary fungi for human use: (1) identification by sequencing the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (commonly referred to as ITS barcoding), (2) screening an extract of each fungal raw material against a database of known fungal metabolites, (3) comparison of these extracts to those prepared from grocery store-bought culinary mushrooms using UHPLCPDA-ELS-HRMS, (4) review of the toxicological and chemical literature for each fungus, and (5) evaluation of data establishing presence in-market. This weight-of-evidence approach was used to evaluate seven fungal raw materials and determine safe human use for each. Such an approach may provide an effective alternative to conventional toxicological animal studies (or more efficiently identifies when studies are necessary) for the safety assessment of fungal dietary ingredients.

[Composition and biological activity of triterpenes and steroids from Inonotus obliquus (chaga)]

Data on the chemical composition of triterpenic and steroid compounds, isolated from the chaga mushroom grown in natural environment or in a synthetic culture have been summarized. Special attention has been paid to the biological activity of chaga mushroom extracts and these particular compounds against various cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. This analysis has demonstrated some common features in inhibition of growth of various cell lines by chaga mushroom components. In this context, the most active are triterpene compounds containing OH group at C-22 and a side chain unsaturated bond.

Anti-diabetic effects of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides-chromium (III) complex in type 2 diabetic mice and its sub-acute toxicity evaluation in normal mice

Polysaccharides are important bioactive ingredients from Inonotus obliquus. This study aimed to synthesize and characterize a novel I. obliquus polysaccharides-chromium (III) complex (UIOPC) and investigate the anti-diabetic effects in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice and sub-acute toxicity in normal mice. The molecular weight of UIOPC was about 11.5 × 10 ⁴ Da with the chromium content was 13.01% and the chromium was linked with polysaccharides through coordination bond. After treatment of UIOPC for four weeks, the body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, plasma insulin levels of the diabetic mice were significantly reduced when compared with those of the diabetic mice (p < 0.05). The results on serum profiles and antioxidant enzymes activities revealed that UIOPC had a positive effect on hypoglycemic and antioxidant ability. Histopathology results showed that UIOPC could effectively alleviate the STZ-lesioned tissues in diabetic mice. Furthermore, high dose administration of UIOPC had no obviously influence on serum profiles levels and antioxidant ability of the normal mice and the organ tissues maintained organized and integrity in the sub-acute toxicity study. These results suggested that UIOPC might be a good candidate for the functional food or pharmaceuticals in the treatment of T2DM.

Effect of Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharides on physical fatigue in mice

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential beneficial effects of Inonotus obliquuspolysaccharides (IOP) on the alleviation of physical fatigue in mice.

METHODS

Sixty-four male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 16 per group). Mice were orally administered IOP for a period of 14 days at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg/d, and were assigned to the control, IOP-100, IOP-200, and IOP-300 groups, respectively by the random number table method. Mice in the control group received an oral administration of sterile distilled water. A forced swimming test was performed for 8 mice per group at one hour after the last treatment. The other 8 mice in each group swam for 30 min. Blood, liver and muscle samples were taken after resting for 30 min. Levels of blood urea nitrogen and lactate, as well as glycogen contents of the liver and muscle were measured. Morphology of liver was observed by light microscopy.

RESULTS

IOP extended the swimming time of mice, and increased the glycogen content of liver and muscle, but decreased blood lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen levels, IOP had no toxic effects on major organs such as the liver as assessed by histopathological examinations.

CONCLUSION

IOP might be a potential anti-fatigue pharmacological agent.

European medicinal polypores--a modern view on traditional uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In particular five polypore species, i.e. Laetiporus sulphureus, Fomes fomentarius, Fomitopsis pinicola, Piptoporus betulinus, and Laricifomes officinalis, have been widely used in central European folk medicines for the treatment of various diseases, e.g. dysmenorrhoea, haemorrhoids, bladder disorders, pyretic diseases, treatment of coughs, cancer, and rheumatism. Prehistoric artefacts going back to over 5000 years underline the long tradition of using polypores for various applications ranging from food or tinder material to medicinal-spiritual uses as witnessed by two polypore species found among items of Ötzi, the Iceman. The present paper reviews the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activity of the five mentioned polypores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All available information on the selected polypore taxa used in traditional folk medicine was collected through evaluation of literature in libraries and searches in online databases using SciFinder and Web of Knowledge.

RESULTS

Mycochemical studies report the presence of many primary (e.g. polysaccharides) and secondary metabolites (e.g. triterpenes). Crude extracts and isolated compounds show a wide spectrum of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The investigated polypores possess a longstanding ethnomycological tradition in Europe. Here, we compile biological results which highlight their therapeutic value. Moreover, this work provides a solid base for further investigations on a molecular level, both compound- and target-wise.

Immunostimulating activity by polysaccharides isolated from fruiting body of Inonotus obliquus

In this study, we investigated the immunostimulating activity of polysaccharides isolated from fruiting body of Inonotus obliquus (PFIO). Additionally, the signaling pathway of PFIO-mediated macrophage activation was investigated in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. We found that PFIO was capable of promoting NO/ROS production, TNF-α secretion and phagocytic uptake in macrophages, as well as cell proliferation, comitogenic effect and IFN-γ/IL-4 secretion in mouse splenocytes. PFIO was able to induce the phosphorylation of three MAPKs as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, resulting in activation of RAW264.7 macrophages. PFIO also induced the inhibition of TNF-α secretion by anti-TLR2 mAb, consequently, PFIO might be involved in TNF-α secretion via the TLR2 receptor. In addition, our results showed that oral administration of PFIO suppressed in vivo growth of melanoma tumor in tumorbearing mice. In conclusion, our experiments presented that PFIO effectively promotes macrophage activation through the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, suggesting that PFIO may potentially regulate the immune response.