Polysaccharide extract of Cordyceps sobolifera attenuates renal injury in endotoxemic rats

Moxifloxacin plus Cordyceps polysaccharide ameliorate intestinal barrier damage due to abdominal infection via anti-inflammation and immune regulation under simulated microgravity

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is limited research on the impact of abdominal infection on intestinal damage under microgravity conditions. Cordyceps polysaccharide (CPS), the main active ingredient of Cordyceps, has demonstrated various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Moxifloxacin (MXF) is a fourth-generation quinolone antibiotic that is believed to have a dual regulatory effect on immune system activation and suppression. Our objective was to investigate the effects of MXF plus CPS on the intestinal barrier damage due to abdominal infection under microgravity.

METHODS

The hindlimb unloading model in rats was employed to simulate microgravity. The rat model of abdominal infection was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). MXF, CPS and the combination of the two drugs were used to treat CLP-rats in simulated microgravity. We assessed histopathological changes of ileum by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The intestinal ultrastructure was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, the expression of intestinal barrier proteins RegIII α/γ and MUC2 was detected by Western blot analysis, while the localization of these proteins within the ileum was examined using immunohistochemistry. Cytometric bead array (CBA) was employed to detect cytokine including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, CXCL-1, MCP-1, IL-17A, IL-18, and IL-33. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to determine the percentages of Treg cells, M1 macrophages, M2 macrophages, T cells and CD8+T cells.

RESULTS

The results showed that compared with the normal gravity groups, the simulated microgravity groups exhibited a significant decrease in RegIII α/γ protein expression, an increase in M1 macrophage frequency, and elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-1α, MCP-1 and IL-6. Notably, the combined application of MXF and CPS effectively mitigated intestinal barrier damage in CLP-rats exposed to microgravity, as evidenced by alleviated ultrastructural and pathological impairments in ileum, along with increased expression of key intestinal barrier proteins MUC2 and RegIII α/γ. Furthermore, the combination therapy enhances the proportion of T cells, CD8+T cells, and M2 macrophages in septic rats exposed to simulated microgravity while reducing the frequency of Treg cells and M1 macrophages. MXF plus CPS also led to a reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, CXCL-1, MCP-1, IL18, and IL33.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that MXF plus CPS exhibited a protective effect on intestinal barrier damage due to abdominal infection under microgravity, potentially attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties and immune regulatory mechanisms. These findings may provide insights into the development of drugs targeting abdominal infections in the space environment.

Cordyceps polysaccharide improves polycystic ovary syndrome by inhibiting gut-derived LPS/TLR4 pathway to attenuates insulin resistance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder marked by aberrant glucose metabolism and reproductive dysfunction. It is characterized by polycystic ovaries, ovulatory dysfunction, and hyperandrogenemia. PCOS patients often experience a persistent, mild inflammation linked to various metabolic issues and insulin resistance (IR). Cordyceps polysaccharide (CP), extracted from the asexual form of the fungus Cordyceps gunnii, Hirsutella sinensis, is a bioactive crude polysaccharide with triple helix structure. CP was a spherical molecular polymer composed of rhamnose, arabinose, aminoglucose hydrochloride, galactose, glucose, and mannose, and has two molecular weights, 156.511 and 27.298 kDa. Our results corroborated that CP improve polycystic lesions in ovarian tissue and regulates hormone levels and the estrous cycle in rats with PCOS. However, the mechanism of action of this therapy in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is not clear. In the present study, CP was found to modulates disturbances in glucose-lipid metabolism in model rats. In addition, it modulated gut microbiota by decreasing abundance of Gram-negative bacteria (norank_f__Desulfovibrionaceae, Helicobacter), hereby inhibiting the production and transfer of LPS into the systemic circulation. This suppressed the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB inflammatory pathway in the liver and adipose tissue and restored insulin signaling, which improved IR in PCOS rats. Our findings demonstrate that based on the regulation of gut microbiota disorders and the repair of intestinal barrier damage, CP inhibited the gut-derived LPS/TLR4 inflammatory pathway in liver to attenuated IR, which led to the improvement of ovarian polycystic lesions. In addition, this study tapped into the role of Cordyceps polysaccharides in improving female reproductive function, expanding its clinical application in women with PCOS, which is innovative and offers valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of CP for treating PCOS.

Natural polysaccharides as promising reno-protective agents for the treatment of various kidney injury

Renal injury, a prevalent clinical outcome with multifactorial etiology, imposes a substantial burden on society. Currently, there remains a lack of effective management and treatments. Extensive research has emphasized the diverse biological effects of natural polysaccharides, which exhibit promising potential for mitigating renal damage. This review commences with the pathogenesis of four common renal diseases and the shared mechanisms underlying renal injury. The renoprotective roles of polysaccharides in vivo and in vitro are summarized in the following five aspects: anti-oxidative stress effects, anti-apoptotic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-fibrotic effects, and gut modulatory effects. Furthermore, we explore the structure-activity relationship and bioavailability of polysaccharides in relation to renal injury, as well as investigate their utility as biomaterials for alleviating renal injury. The clinical experiments of polysaccharides applied to patients with chronic kidney disease are also reviewed. Broadly, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on the research direction of natural polysaccharides in the context of renal injury, with the primary aim to serve as a reference for the clinical development of polysaccharides as pharmaceuticals and prebiotics for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Molecular mechanism of kidney damage caused by abamectin in carp: Oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis

Indiscriminate use of pesticides not only leads to environmental pollution problems, but also causes poisoning of non-target organisms. Abamectin (ABM), a widely used insecticide worldwide, is of wide concern due to its persistence in the environment and its high toxicity to fish. The kidney, as a key organ for detoxification, is more susceptible to the effects of ABM. Unfortunately, few studies investigated the mechanisms behind this connection. In this study, carp was used as an indicator organism for toxicological studies to investigate renal damage caused by ABM residues in carp. In this work, carp were exposed to ABM (0, 3.005, and 12.02 μg/L) for 4 d and the nephrotoxicity was assessed. Histopathological findings revealed that ABM exposure induced kidney damage in carp, as well as an increase Creatinine and BUN levels. Meanwhile, ABM as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulator, boosted ROS bursts and lowered antioxidant enzyme activity while activating the body's antioxidant system, the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway. The accumulation of ROS can also lead to the imbalance of the body's oxidation system, leading to oxidative stress. At the same time, NF-κB signaling pathway associated with inflammation was activated, which regulated expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and iNOS increased, while IL-10 and TGF-β1 decreased). In addition, ABM exposure caused structural damage to kidney mitochondria of carp, resulting in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production capacity, and mediated apoptosis through endogenous pathways Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase-9/Caspase-3. In conclusion, ABM caused kidney damage in carp by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. These findings will be useful for future research into molecular mechanisms of ABM-induced nephrotoxicity in aquatic organisms.

Mitogenomic and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis and Comparative Analysis with Other Ophiocordyceps Species

Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis (O. lanpingensis) belongs to the genus Ophiocordyceps, which is often found in Yunnan Province, China. This species is pharmacologically important for the treatment of renal disorders induced by oxidative stress and an inadequate immune response. In the present study, the mitogenome of O. lanpingensis was determined to be a circular molecule 117,560 bp in length, and to have 31% G + C content and 69% A + T content. This mitogenome comprised 82% of the whole genome that codes for significant genes. The protein-coding regions of the O. lanpingensis mitogenome, containing 24 protein-coding genes, were associated with respiratory chain complexes, such as 3 ATP-synthase complex F0 subunits (atp6, atp8, and atp9), 2 complex IV subunits/cytochrome c oxidases (cox2 and cox3), 1 complex III subunit (cob), 4 electron transport complex I subunits/NADH dehydrogenase complex subunits (nad1, nad4, nad5, and nad6), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rns, rnl), and 11 hypothetical/predicted proteins, i.e., orf609, orf495, orf815, orf47, orf150, orf147, orf292, orf127, orf349, orf452, and orf100. It was noted that all genes were positioned on the same strand. Further, 13 mitochondrial genes with respiratory chain complexes, which presented maximum similarity with other fungal species of Ophiocordyceps, were investigated. O. lanpingensis was compared with previously sequenced species within Ophiocordycepitaceae. Comparative analysis indicated that O. lanpingensis was more closely related to O. sinensis, which is one of the most remarkable and expensive herbs due to its limited availability and the fact that it is difficult to culture. Therefore, O. lanpingensis is an important medicinal resource that can be effectively used for medicinal purposes. More extensive metabolomics research is recommended for O. lanpingensis.

Structural Characterization of Mannoglucan Isolated from Ophiocordyceps sobolifera and Its Antioxidant Activities

A novel polysaccharide structure (PS-T80) was collected from Ophiocordyceps sobolifera biomass and characterized via a combination of chemical and spectral analyses. Employing high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), the average molecular weight is proven to be 7.4 × 10⁴ Da. Furthermore, a sugar composition analysis of the obtained polysaccharide suggests two main sugars, β-d-glucose and α-d-mannose, at a molar ratio of 2:1, respectively, in the backbone. The structure analysis unveils that PS-T80 is a mannoglucan, possessing the repeating unit of [→3)-β-d-Glcp-(1 → 3)-α-d-Manp-(1 → 3)-β-d-Glcp-(1→] _n . Such a configuration could be considered a novel polysaccharide. Impressively, in vitro antioxidant tests revealed that PS-T80 has a promising antioxidant activity. These results demonstrate that the obtained PS is a potential bioactive material for biomedical applications.

Cognition of polysaccharides from confusion to clarity: when the next "omic" will come?

With the accelerated pace of modern life, people are facing more and more health pressure. The study of polysaccharides seemed a good choice as a potential treasure trove. Polysaccharides, one of the four basic substances (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates) that constitute life activities, are obviously an underrated macromolecular substance with great potential. Compared with protein and nucleic acid, the research of polysaccharides is still in the primary stage. The relationship between structure and function of polysaccharides is not clear. In this review, we highlighted the main methods of extraction, purification and structure identification of polysaccharides; summarized their biological activities including immunoregulation, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-virus, anti-coagulation, and so on. Particularly, the relationship between their structures and activities was described. In addition, the applications of polysaccharides in health food, medicine and cosmetics were also reviewed. This review can help polysaccharide researchers quickly understand the whole process of polysaccharides research, and also provide a reference for the comprehensive utilization of polysaccharides. We need to standardize the research of polysaccharides to make the experimental data more universal, and take it as important references in the review process. Glycomic may appear as the next "omic" after genomic and proteomic in the future. This review provides support for the advancement of glycomics.

Immunomodulatory activity of brown algae Turbinaria ornata derived sulfated polysaccharide on LPS induced systemic inflammation

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and oxidative stress are common pathologies in a wide range of chronic diseases. Polysaccharides are known to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and are suggested to possess immunomodulatory potential.

PURPOSE

Herein, the immunomodulatory activity of a sulfated polysaccharide (PS) separated from a brown marine algae Turbinaria ornata is studied in LPS instigated systemic inflammation in experimental rats.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Male SD rats are pretreated with different doses of PS (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg bw) for a week followed by inducing systemic inflammation using LPS (10 mg/kg i.p.). Blood withdrawn after 8 h of LPS injection is subjected to hematological analysis (WBC, HCT, and PLT). After 24 h of LPS induction, cardiac tissue was isolated and subjected to biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analysis. Effect of PS pre-treatment (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg bw) was checked by assessing serum parameters (AST, CK-MB, and γGT), antioxidant markers (LPO, GSH, SOD, Grx) and inflammatory markers (IL1β, IL6, IL10, NFκB), followed by analyzing the iNOS, PI3k and Akt to identify the probable mode of action.

RESULTS

Elevated levels of AST, CK-MB, and γGT in serum were significantly reduced on PS pretreatment. LPS significantly raised the LPO and Grx levels in heart tissue whereas, PS pre-treatment significantly reduced LPO and Grx levels. GSH and SOD levels were reduced upon LPS induction and were brought to near normal by HD of PS. PS also reduced the mRNA levels of IL6, Trx, and increased IL10 levels in the heart tissue substantiating its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. Further, IL1β, NFκB, iNOS, and pPI3k/pAkt expressions were significantly modulated by PS in the cardiac tissue substantiating the immunomodulatory effect. A trend of improvement in the inflammatory pathology was also observed in the heart tissue compared to LPS control, as confirmed by histopathology analysis.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, this study concludes the immunomodulatory potential of PS from the marine macroalgae Turbinaria ornata significantly and prevents LPS induced systemic inflammation in the cardiac tissue presumably influenced by the glucopyranose and fucopyranose subunits in the polysaccharide.

Cordyceps spp.: A Review on Its Immune-Stimulatory and Other Biological Potentials

In recent decades, interest in the Cordyceps genus has amplified due to its immunostimulatory potential. Cordyceps species, its extracts, and bioactive constituents have been related with cytokine production such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, phagocytosis stimulation of immune cells, nitric oxide production by increasing inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, and stimulation of inflammatory response via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Other pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anti-cancer, antihyperlipidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-fatigue, anti-aging, hypocholesterolemic, hypotensive, vasorelaxation, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, and kidney protection, has been reported in pre-clinical studies. These biological activities are correlated with the bioactive compounds present in Cordyceps including nucleosides, sterols, flavonoids, cyclic peptides, phenolic, bioxanthracenes, polyketides, and alkaloids, being the cyclic peptides compounds the most studied. An organized review of the existing literature was executed by surveying several databanks like PubMed, Scopus, etc. using keywords like Cordyceps, cordycepin, immune system, immunostimulation, immunomodulatory, pharmacology, anti-cancer, anti-viral, clinical trials, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, phytochemical analysis, and different species names. This review collects and analyzes state-of-the-art about the properties of Cordyceps species along with ethnopharmacological properties, application in food, chemical compounds, extraction of bioactive compounds, and various pharmacological properties with a special focus on the stimulatory properties of immunity.

Zinc exerts its renal protection effect on arsenic-exposed common carp: A signaling network comprising Nrf2, NF-κB and MAPK pathways

Epidemiological and laboratory investigations have extensively indicated that arsenic exposure accounts for several kidney diseases. Zinc has been suggested as a possible natural preventive and therapeutic agent. This study is designed to explore the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation against arsenic-induced renal toxicity in common carp, and the results point to signaling pathway possibly compromised. In the present study, renal injury was induced in common carp by waterborne exposure to arsenic (2.83 mg/L) for 30 days, and zinc (1 mg/L) was simultaneously supplemented. First, the arsenic-exposed fish showed histological and functional renal alterations (indicated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, biochemical indexes and a TUNEL assay). Moreover, as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulant, arsenic was found to induce oxidative toxicity as determined by increased renal ROS, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels. When antioxidant-mediation attempts (through superoxide dismutase and glutathione)-mediated to restore homeostasis failed and ROS increased to extreme levels, inflammation (indicated by elevated inducible nitric oxide synthetase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins levels) and apoptosis (through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-dependent pathways) were triggered. However, abnormalities in the upstream mediators Nrf2, NF-κB and MAPK were significantly ameliorated and blocked by treatment with zinc. In conclusion, zinc exerts a substantial protective effect against arsenic-triggered subchronic renal injury in common carp via the amelioration of oxidative stress, suppression of apoptosis and reduced inflammation through Nrf2, NF-κB and MAPK signaling.

Immunomodulatory and Antioxidant Effects of Polysaccharides from the Parasitic Fungus Cordyceps kyushuensis

The ascomycete Cordyceps genus has been used as valued traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps kyushuensis is a unique species of Cordyceps, which parasitizes on the larvae of Clanis bilineata Walker, and its major component cordycepin and aqueous extract are known to have many pharmacological effects. However, the physiological function of water-soluble polysaccharides has not been explored in detail. In this study, to resolve these doubts, we extracted and separated Cordyceps-derived polysaccharides and then evaluated the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. Four polysaccharide fractions were purified from Cordyceps-cultured stroma by DEAE-cellulose 23 and Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. Basic structural information was elucidated on the basis of physicochemical property and spectroscopic evidences. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and protective effect of DNA damage. The qualified immunologic activities were also determined in vivo and in vitro. The polysaccharides could stimulate the proliferation of mouse splenocytes whether concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) existed or not, strengthen peritoneal macrophages to devour neutral red, and increase the content of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum. The research provides the corresponding evidence for Cordyceps polysaccharides as a potential candidate for functional foods and therapeutic agents.

A critical review on submerged production of mushroom and their bioactive metabolites

Mushrooms are ubiquitous in nature. Even though humankind has been consuming mushrooms for ages, their medicinal and nutraceutical properties are not used to its fullest potential in the present market. Edible mushrooms are not only a cheap and nutritious option to mitigate malnutrition, but they also produce effective biomass. Submerged fermentation (SmF) is not only a cost-effective method to produce biomass along with exquisite bioactive metabolites but it also reduces the chances of contamination and the time of production. Therefore, this study unveils the bioactive metabolites being produced by mushrooms. Moreover, it also showcases the recent advances in the areas of bio-active compounds and their judicious implementations in daily life and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, there is a distinct lack in utilizing the potential benefits of bioactive compounds from mushroom unless in vivo and in vitro studies are demonstrated.

Anti-inflammatory activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide from the roots of purple sweet potato

In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide was isolated from purple sweet potato roots. The in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of the polysaccharide were evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory RAW264.7 macrophages and mice, respectively. The in vitro anti-inflammatory assay showed that the polysaccharide could effectively inhibit the overproduction of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) while increasing the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). The in vivo anti-inflammatory assay revealed that mice administered with the polysaccharide showed higher IL-10, SOD, and T-AOC levels but lower TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MDA levels as compared to the LPS-treated model. Meanwhile, mice administered with the polysaccharide showed increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillales and Parabacteroides but decreased amounts of Psychrobacter and Staphylococcus as compared to the LPS model group. Moreover, mice administered with polysaccharide showed enhanced production of short chain fatty acids by gut microbiota in the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mice. Our results suggested that the water-soluble polysaccharide from purple sweet potato roots could be utilized as a novel anti-inflammatory agent.

A water-soluble polysaccharide from purple sweet potato roots played anti-inflammatory roles by regulating inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota and antioxidant defense system.

Characterization, Antioxidant, Anti-Aging and Organ Protective Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Flammulina velutipes

As an irreversible and complex degenerative physiological process, the treatment for aging seems strategically necessary, and polysaccharides play important roles against aging owing to their abundant bioactivities. In this paper, the antioxidant and anti-aging activities of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides (FPS) and its sulfated FPS (SFPS) on d-galactose-induced aging mice were investigated. The in vitro antioxidant activities demonstrated that SFPS had strong reducing power and superior scavenging effects on 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radicals and the chelating activities of Fe²⁺. The in vivo animal experiments manifested that the SFPS showed superior antioxidant and protective abilities against the d-galactose-induced aging by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities, decreasing lipid peroxidation, improving the inflammatory response and ameliorating the anile condition of mice. Furthermore, the structural analysis of SFPS was investigated through FT-IR, NMR, and HPLC analysis, and the results indicated that SFPS was a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide with a weight-average molecular weight of 2.81 × 10³ Da. Furthermore, SFPS has also changed in characteristic functional groups and monosaccharide composition compared to FPS. These results suggested that sulfated modification could enhance the anti-oxidation, anti-aging and protective activities of F. velutipes polysaccharides, which may provide references for the development of functional foods and natural medicines.

First demonstration of protective effects of purified mushroom polysaccharide-peptides against fatty liver injury and the mechanisms involved

Fatty liver (FLD) disease is a consequence of metabolic syndrome, which is a health problem worldwide with a phenomenal rise in prevalence. In this study, two hepatoprotective polysaccharide-peptides were extracted from the mushroom Auricularia polytricha followed by chromatographic fractionation of the extract on the ion exchanger DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex-200 to yield two purified fractions: APPI and APPII. The monosaccharide compositions, FT-IR, N-terminal sequences, internal peptide sequences and molecular weights of the two fractions were determined. Furthermore, their hepatoprotective effect on human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in an animal model of fatty liver disease was evidenced by the findings that APPI and APPII diminished lipid deposit in cells, blood and the liver, increased cellular antioxidant activity and viability, and protected the liver against injury. The mechanistic study revealed that APPI and APPII activated the adiponectin pathway, up-regulated expression of genes controlling free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation, such as AMPK, CPTl, ACOX1 and PPARα genes, enhanced lipid metabolism, preserved hepatic function, promoted the antioxidant defense system and reduced lipid peroxidation. Hence the bioactive compounds of A. polytricha could serve as therapeutic agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Potential therapeutic effects of Cordyceps cicadae and Paecilomyces cicadae on adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats and their phytochemical analysis

Background

Natural Cordyceps cicadae (C. cicadae) has been utilized extensively in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chronic renal diseases, heart palpitations, infantile convulsions, and dizziness. However, given its slow growth and immoderate exploitation, C. cicadae resources have been severely depleted. By contrast, Paecilomyces cicadae (P. cicadae), as the anamorph stage of C. cicadae, is easy to cultivate, and this kind of cultivated P. cicadae has good and controllable quality.

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of C. cicadae and P. cicadae on adenine-induced chronic renal failure (CRF) rats. In accordance with the aforementioned studies, our work subsequently analyzed the intrinsic relationships between the efficacy and pharmacodynamic substances of C. cicadae and P. cicadae to conclude whether or not P. cicadae could be used as an alternative to C. cicadae in treating CRF.

Methods

Rats were administered with C. cicadae (1.0 g/kg) or P. cicadae (1.0 g/kg) by gavage for 4 weeks. Furthermore, we applied Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and ultraviolet spectrophotometry to comprehensively detect and analyze the chemical constituent differences from ten batches each of C. cicadae and P. cicadae.

Results

This study revealed that both C. cicadae and P. cicadae exerted obvious therapeutic effects on CRF and were more consistent with their chemical compositions.

Conclusion

P. cicadae can be used as an alternative to C. cicadae for treating CRF to cater to market demands.

Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects through Modulating BDNF/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Mice

Antidepressant-like effects of ethanolic extract of Hericium erinaceus (HE) mycelium enriched in erinacine A on depressive mice challenged by repeated restraint stress (RS) were examined. HE at 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight/day was orally given to mice for four weeks. After two weeks of HE administration, all mice except the control group went through with 14 days of RS protocol. Stressed mice exhibited various behavioral alterations, such as extending immobility time in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), and increasing the number of entries in open arm (POAE) and the time spent in the open arm (PTOA). Moreover, the levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) were decreased in the stressed mice, while the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were increased. These changes were significantly inverted by the administration of HE, especially at the dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight/day. Additionally, HE was shown to activate the BDNF/TrkB/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathways and block the NF-κB signals in mice. Taken together, erinacine A-enriched HE mycelium could reverse the depressive-like behavior caused by RS and was accompanied by the modulation of monoamine neurotransmitters as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulation of BDNF pathways. Therefore, erinacine A-enriched HE mycelium could be an attractive agent for the treatment of depressive disorders.

Protective Effects of Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis on Glycerol-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Mice

Objective

Oxidative stress and immune response are associated with acute renal failure (ARF). Ophiocordyceps lanpingensis (OL) might be an antioxidant and immunopotentiator. In this study, we explored the protective effects of OL on glycerol-induced ARF.

Methods

Male mice were randomly divided into four groups, specifically, glycerol-induced ARF model group, low-dose OL-treated group (1.0 g/kg/d), high-dose OL-treated group (2.0 g/kg/d), and control group. Renal conditions were evaluated using kidney index, serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and histological analysis. Rhabdomyolysis was monitored using creatine kinase (CK) level. Oxidative stress was determined using kidney tissue glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Immune status was evaluated using immune organ indices and immunoglobulin G (IgG) level.

Results

OL could relieve renal pathological injury and decrease the abnormal levels of kidney index, serum Cr, CK, BUN, and MDA, as well as increase the immune organ indices and the levels of IgG, GSH, and SOD. Treatment with a high dose of OL had more positive therapeutic effects on ARF than using a low dose of OL.

Conclusion

OL could ameliorate renal dysfunction in glycerol-induced ARF in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and enhancing immune response.

Selenium Polysaccharide SPMP-2a from Pleurotus geesteranus Alleviates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in HaCaT Cells

Selenium- (Se-) enriched polysaccharide SPMP-2a was extracted and purified from Pleurotus geesteranus. SPMP-2a is a white flocculent polysaccharide and soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 3.32 × 10⁴ Da. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectral analysis indicated that it belongs to an acid Se polysaccharide with α-D-glucopyranoside bond. The effects of Se polysaccharide SPMP-2a in P. geesteranus against hydrogen peroxide- (H₂O₂-) induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells were evaluated further. Reduced cell viability and elevated apoptotic rates in H₂O₂-treated HaCaT cells were proven by MTT and flow cytometry assays. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed chromatin condensations in the nuclei of HaCaT cells. However, with the addition of SPMP-2a, cell viability improved, nuclear condensation declined, and cell apoptotic rates dropped significantly. Ultrastructural observation consistently revealed that treatments with SPMP-2a reduced the number of swollen and vacuolar mitochondria in the H₂O₂-treated cells compared with the controls. Furthermore, SPMP-2a increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. Western blot analysis showed that SPMP-2a treatment effectively increased B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein expression. Therefore, SPMP-2a could improve cellular antioxidant enzyme activities, reduce ROS levels, and increase Bcl-2 protein expression levels, thereby reducing cell apoptosis and protecting HaCaT cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage.

Hypoglycemic effects of a Fructus Mori polysaccharide in vitro and in vivo

Mulberry fruit polysaccharide (MFP), one of the major active ingredients isolated from the mulberry fruit, possesses numerous bioactivities.

Nephroprotection of punicalagin in rat model of endotoxemic acute kidney injury

The potential nephroprotection of punicalagin (PNG) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury in rats was investigated. Rats received a single i.v. dose of LPS (5 mg/kg), and treated with PNG (50 mg/kg, i.p.), 1 h before, and 1 h following LPS administration. LPS caused significant increases of serum creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. LPS also resulted in significant increases in interleukin-18, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and myeloperoxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, caspases 3, 8 and 9 activities, and a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity in kidney tissues. PNG significantly ameliorated the alterations in the measured parameters. Additionally, PNG attenuated the histopathological injury and reduced kidney injury molecule-1 expression in kidneys of rats that received LPS. It was concluded that PNG ameliorated endotoxemic acute kidney injury in rats by counteracting inflammation, oxidative/nitrative stress and apoptosis.

Optimization of the fermentation process of Cordyceps sobolifera Se-CEPS and its anti-tumor activity in vivo

Background

Cordyceps sobolifera (C. sobolifera) isolated from cicadae was used as the starting fungus to produce selenium-enriched C. sobolifera extracellular polysaccharide (Se-CEPS). An orthogonal experimental design based on a single-factor experiment was used to optimize the C. sobolifera fermentation conditions, including the potato juice, peptone, and KH₂PO₄ concentrations. Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) analyses of CEPS and Se-CEPS were conducted, as well as an in vivo anti-tumor analysis.

Results

Under optimal conditions (i.e., 40 potato juice, 0.4 KH₂PO₄, and 0.5 % peptone), the fermentation yield of Se-CEPS was 5.64 g/L. UV and IR spectra showed that Se-CEPS contained a characteristic absorption peak of a selenite Se = O double bond, demonstrating the successful preparation of Se-CEPS. Activity tests showed that Se-CEPS improved the immune organ index, serum cytokine content, and CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T lymphocyte ratio in colon cancer CT26 tumor-bearing mice, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. When combined with 5-FU, Se-CEPS reduced the toxicity and enhanced the function of 5-FU.

Conclusion

The result of these experiments indicated that orthogonal experimental design is a promising method for the optimization of Se-CEPS production, and the Se-CEPS from C. sobolifera can improve the anti-tumor capacity of mice.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13036-016-0029-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antioxidative and renoprotective effects of residue polysaccharides from Flammulina velutipes

Three extractable polysaccharides including Ac-RPS, Al-RPS and En-RPS were extracted from the residue of Flammulina velutipes and their antioxidative and renoprotective effects on STZ-induced mice were investigated. Biochemical and antioxidant analysis showed that the En-RPS had potential effects in decreasing the serum levels of CRE, BUN, ALB and GLU significantly, increasing the renal activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px remarkably, and reducing the renal contents of MDA prominently. Furthermore, the histopathological observations also displayed that En-RPS could alleviate kidney damage. These results demonstrated that En-RPS extracted from the residue of F. velutipes possessed potent antioxidant activities, and could be used as a promising therapeutic agent for inhibiting the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In addition, the monosaccharide compositions of these three RPS were also analyzed.