Antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat

Phellinus merrillii extracts induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways

Restenosis frequently occurs after balloon angioplasty. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-induced artery damage is a significant part of triggering restenosis of the vascular smooth muscles (VSMC). This study aimed to study how ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) affected balloon injury-induced overgrowth of VSMC, indicating neointima formation. Firstly, our results demonstrated that EPM notably decreased VSMC viability. A fragmentation assay and Annexin V/Propidium Iodide apoptosis assay showed that higher doses of EPM significantly induced the apoptosis of VSMC after 24 h of exposure. Total protein extracted from VSMC treated with EPM in various time and concentration periods was then conducted in Western blotting analysis. Our data demonstrated that EPM substantially elevated the p53, p21, Fas, Bax, p-p38, and active caspase-3 protein expressions. The results indicated that EPM induces VSMC apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Also, our results demonstrated that EPM effectively attenuated the balloon injury-induced neointima formation. In conclusion, the information offers a mechanism of EPM in inducing the VSMC apoptosis, thus as a potential interference for restenosis.

A review of the therapeutic and biological effects of edible and wild mushrooms

Throughout history, mushrooms have occupied an inseparable part of the diet in many countries. Mushrooms are considered a rich source of phytonutrients such as polysaccharides, dietary fibers, and other micronutrients, in addition to various essential amino acids, which are building blocks of vital proteins. In general, mushrooms offer a wide range of health benefits with a large spectrum of pharmacological properties, including antidiabetic, antioxidative, antiviral, antibacterial, osteoprotective, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, etc. Both wild edible and medicinal mushrooms possess strong therapeutic and biological activities, which are evident from their in vivo and in vitro assays. The multifunctional activities of the mushroom extracts and the targeted potential of each of the compounds in the extracts have a broad range of applications, especially in the healing and repair of various organs and cells in humans. Owing to the presence of the aforementioned properties and rich phytocomposition, mushrooms are being used in the production of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. This review aims to provide a clear insight on the commercially cultivated, wild edible, and medicinal mushrooms with comprehensive information on their phytochemical constituents and properties as part of food and medicine for futuristic exploitation. Future outlook and prospective challenges associated with the cultivation and processing of these medicinal mushrooms as functional foods are also discussed.

Morel mushroom, Morchella from Kashmir Himalaya: a potential source of therapeutically useful bioactives that possess free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and arthritic edema-inhibiting activities

Morel mushrooms, Morchella species are highly nutritious and excellently edible wild mushrooms abundantly growing in Kashmir Himalayas. The free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and arthritis edema-inhibiting properties of bioactive extract of Morchella elata (EAE) were evaluated. EAE inhibited 53.2% formalin-induced paw edema at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.wt and 75.0% croton oil-induced skin inflammation at a dose of 50 mg topical application. EAE exhibited 51.8% COX inhibiting activity at a concentration of 100 µg/ml when assayed using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells exposed to the extract. NF-kB inhibiting activity of EAE was assayed using Lentix-293T P65 Ds Red stable cell line. High-throughput fluorescent imaging and flow cytometry showed profound ability of EAE to inhibit NF-kB activity. HPTLC analysis revealed that EAE is composed of several chemical components. The mushroom is a source of therapeutically useful functional food that can provide relief in arthritis.

Structural characterization and determination of biological activities for different polysaccharides extracted from tree mushroom species

Chemical composition and structural characterization of polysaccharides of Fomes fomentarius (FF), Fuscoporia torulosa, Ganoderma adspersum, Ganoderma applanatum (GAP), Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus igniarius, Pleurotus ostreatus (PO), and Porodaedalea pini (PP) tree mushrooms with antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities were determined in this research. Total carbohydrate contents of the polysaccharides were ranged between 65.06 ± 6.76 and 88.27 ± 5.15 µg/mg and total protein contents were ranged between 3.18 ± 0.72 and 6.56 ± 1.25 µg/mg. Galactose, glucose, and mannose were identified as major monosaccharides in all polysaccharides using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. FT-IR analysis showed the characteristic peaks of the polysaccharides and high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection was used to determine the molecular weight of the polysaccharides. In β-carotene-linoleic acid assay FF (IC₅₀ : 2.55 ± 0.40 µg/ml) displayed the highest antioxidant activity, whereas GAP indicated the highest antioxidant activity in cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (A_0.50 :59.90 ± 0.53 μg/ml), ABTS^•+ (IC₅₀ : 16.62 ± 0.31 μg/ml), and DPPH^• (IC₅₀ : 45.58 ± 0.21 μg/ml) assays. In cholinesterase inhibitory activity test, PO (56.31±0.0.74%) showed significant inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase enzyme. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Polysaccharides from mushrooms are the major class of bioactive compounds with various biological activities. Several studies were performed on the biological activity of the polysaccharide extracts from different mushrooms. However, to our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical composition, structural characterization, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activities of extracted polysaccharides from studied mushrooms in detail. This investigation shows that polysaccharide extracts obtained from tree mushrooms show a significant bioactivity and these polysaccharides might be used as bioactive natural sources in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

Hepatoprotective Principles and Other Chemical Constituents from the Mycelium of Phellinus linteus

In the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis Wistar rat model, the mycelium extract of Phellinus linteus (PLE) (20 mg/Kg) displayed significant protection against hepatic fibrosis. The present investigation characterized eleven new ionone derivatives, phellinulins D–N (4–14), from the P. linteus mycelium extract and the relative stereochemical structures were constructed according to the spectroscopic and spectrometric analytical results. Some purified compounds were examined for their inhibitory effects on activated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and several isolates did exhibit significant protection. The results indicated that the mycelium of P. linteus could be explored as a hepatoprotective drug or healthy food candidate in the near future.

Phellinus rimosus improves mitochondrial energy status and attenuates nephrotoxicity in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increase in reactive oxygen species during diabetes can lead to pathological consequences in kidneys. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Phellinus rimosus in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat renal mitochondria and the possible mechanism of protection.

METHODS

Phellinus rimosus (50 and 250 mg/kg, p.o) was treated after inducing diabetes by STZ (45 mg/kg, i.p) in rats. The serum samples were subjected to creatinine and urea estimation. Mitochondrial antioxidant status such as mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione; adenosine triphosphate level; and lipid peroxidation were measured. The activities of Krebs cycle enzymes such as isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase as well as mitochondrial complexes I, III, and IV in kidney mitochondria were also determined.

RESULTS

Administration of P. rimosus (250 mg/kg b.wt) once daily for 30 days, significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the activities of Krebs cycle dehydrogenases, mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes, and ATP level. Further, P. rimosus had significantly protected the renal mitochondrial antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study concluded that by limiting the extent of renal mitochondrial damage in the hyperglycemic state, P. rimosus alleviated nephrotoxicity.

Ionone Derivatives from the Mycelium of Phellinus linteus and the Inhibitory Effect on Activated Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Three new γ-ionylideneacetic acid derivatives, phellinulins A-C (1-3), were characterized from the mycelium extract of Phellinus linteus. The chemical structures were established based on the spectroscopic analysis. In addition, phellinulin A (1) was subjected to the examination of effects on activated rat hepatic stellate cells and exhibited significant inhibition of hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatoprotective effect of aged black garlic extract in rodents

In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of aged black garlic (ABG) in rodent models of liver injury. ABG inhibited carbon tetrachloride-induced elevation of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), which are markers of hepatocellular damage, in SD rats. D-galactosamineinduced hepatocellular damage was also suppressed by ABG treatment. However, ABG does not affect the elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a marker of hepatobilliary damage, in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride or D-galactosamine. We also examined the effect of ABG on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced fatty liver and subsequent liver damage. ABG had no significant effect on body weight increase and plasma lipid profile in HFD-fed mice. However, HFD-induced increase in AST and ALT, but not ALP, was significantly suppressed by ABG treatment. These results demonstrate that ABG has hepatoprotective effects and suggest that ABG supplementation might be a good adjuvant therapy for the management of liver injury.

Hypolipidemic activity of Phellinus rimosus against triton WR-1339 and high cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemic rats

Patients with the risk for atherosclerotic disease will be targeted to reduce the existing hyperlipidemia. The hypolipidemic activity of Phellinus rimosus was studied using triton WR-1339 and high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced models. The triton induced elevated lipid profile was attenuated by P. rimosus or standard drug atorvastatin. Similarly, administration of P. rimosus along with HCD significantly decline serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, with elevating the high-density lipoprotein. Thiobarbituric acid reacting substances in heart and liver significantly decreased; where as activity of enzymatic antioxidants and level of reduced glutathione were significantly increased. In both models, P. rimosus extract showed a significant ameliorative effect on the elevated atherogenic index as well as LDL/HDL-C ratio. The hypolipidemic activity of P. rimosus can be ascribed to its inhibitory effect on the liver HMG CoA reductase activity. The results suggest the possible therapeutic potential of this fungus as hypolipidemic agent.

Hepatoprotective effects of mushrooms

The particular characteristics of growth and development of mushrooms in nature result in the accumulation of a variety of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, terpenes and steroids and essential cell wall components such as polysaccharides, β-glucans and proteins, several of them with biological activities. The present article outlines and discusses the available information about the protective effects of mushroom extracts against liver damage induced by exogenous compounds. Among mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum is indubitably the most widely studied species. In this review, however, emphasis was given to studies using other mushrooms, especially those presenting efforts of attributing hepatoprotective activities to specific chemical components usually present in the mushroom extracts.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of flower extract of Millingtonia hortensis Linn. on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity

Objective:

Millingtonia hortensis Linn is an abundant resource of flavonoids, which might be beneficial in protecting liver tissue from injury. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of M. hortensis on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved therein were investigated in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Preliminary phytochemical studies were carried out to determine the total phenol and flavonoid contents. 30 adult Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups. Control group received vehicle, group-2 received CCl₄ alone (1 ml/kg body weight, intraperitonially), groups 3 - 5 received the ethanolic flower extract in 2 dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg) and Curcumin (100 mg/kg) as a standard for 8 days orally, followed by CCl₄ as a single dose on the 8^th day. 48 hours later, blood was withdrawn, serum was subjected to biochemical assessments, and liver homogenate was examined for lipid peroxides, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total protein levels. Furthermore, hepatic tissues were subjected to histopatological studies.

Results:

CCl₄ treatment produced a profound increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, hepatic marker enzymes and bilirubin content compared with the control (P < 0.05). Pre-treatment with the flower extract of M. hortensis significantly enhanced the levels of endogenous antioxidants and reduced the levels of hepatic marker enzymes in relation to the CCl₄ treated group (P < 0.05). Balloning degeneration and fatty changes in hepatocytes was prevented by pre-treatment with the flower extract.

Conclusion:

The antioxidant nature of the flower extract of M. hortensis could be responsible for averting damage to the liver.

Protective effect of polysaccharide-protein complex from a polypore mushroom, Phellinus rimosus against radiation-induced oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

Ionizing radiation induces severe oxidative stress in the body resulting an imbalance in prooxidant and antioxidant status in the cell. The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of polysaccharide protein complex (PPC-Pr) isolated from the mushroom Phellinus rimosus against the oxidative stress induced by gamma radiation.

METHODOLOGY

PPC-Pr complex was isolated from the aqueous extracts of P. rimosus. The complex was administered to Swiss albino mice at a concentration of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for 5 days consecutively and exposed to 4 Gy of gamma irradiation. Animals were sacrificed 1 day after irradiation and the antioxidant parameters such as glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase as well as lipid peroxidation were evaluated in both liver and brain tissues to evaluate oxidative stress. Amifostine, a standard radioprotective agent, was used as a positive control. In vitro DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay. Survival studies were also carried out to determine the protective role of PPC-Pr against radiation-induced delayed oxidative stress.

RESULTS

PPC-Pr treatment enhanced the declined levels of antioxidants and comet parameters to a significant level, indicating its antioxidant as well as DNA protecting potential. Significant increase in the survival rate of animals was also observed in irradiated animals treated with PPC-Pr complex. The results were comparable to the standard drug amifostine.

DISCUSSION

The results indicate profound effects of PPC-Pr against radiation-induced oxidative stress. The findings suggest potential therapeutic use of PPC-Pr in radiotherapy.

Anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Mesona procumbens in experimental mice

BACKGROUND

Mesona procumbens is consumed as a herbal drink and jelly-type dessert in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of M. procumbens (AMP) using the λ-carrageenin (Carr)-induced mouse paw oedema model. The fingerprint chromatogram of AMP was obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of AMP, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in paw oedema were monitored. Serum nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The fingerprint chromatogram from HPLC indicated that AMP contained protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid. In the anti-inflammatory test, AMP decreased paw oedema after Carr administration and increased the CAT, SOD and GPx activities and decreased the MDA level in paw oedema at 5 h after Carr injection. AMP also affected the serum NO, TNF-α and IL-1β levels at 5 h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that AMP decreased the expression of Carr-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

CONCLUSION

Mesona procumbens has the potential to provide a therapeutic approach to inflammation-associated disorders.

Ganoderma lucidum protects liver mitochondrial oxidative stress and improves the activity of electron transport chain in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

AIM

  Liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) cause mitochondrial stress and disruption of membrane potential resulting in apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum against CCl(4) (1:5 v/v in paraffin oil, 1.5 mL/kg, i.p) induced deterioration of the activities of mitochondrial enzymes and electron transport chain complexes in the liver mitochondria.

METHODS

  Ganoderma lucidum (100 and 250 mg/kg) was administered once daily for 15 days prior to the CCl(4) administration. α-Tocopherol (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard. Hepatic damage was assessed by determining the activities of serum transaminases (SGPT and SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 24 h after CCl(4) injection. The activities of mitochondrial dehydrogenases as well as mitochondrial complexes I, II, III, and IV were evaluated.

RESULTS

  Activities of SGPT, SGOT and ALP were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated whereas, the activities of mitochondrial enzymes were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased by the CCl(4) challenge. The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species level was enhanced and mitochondrial membrane potential was declined significantly. Administration of G. lucidum significantly and dose independently protected liver mitochondria.

CONCLUSION

  The findings suggest that protective effect of G. lucidum against hepatic damage could be mediated by ameliorating the oxidative stress; restoring the mitochondrial enzyme activities and membrane potential.

Antioxidant, electrochemical, thermal, antimicrobial and alkane oxidation properties of tridentate Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes

In this study, two Schiff base ligands (HL(1) and HL(2)) and their Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Pd(II) and Ru(III) metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by the analytical and spectroscopic methods. Alkane oxidation activities of the metal complexes were studied on cyclohexane as substrate. The ligands and their metal complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Corynebacterium xerosis, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis (as gram-positive bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Klebsiella fragilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans (as gram-negative bacteria). The antioxidant properties of the Schiff base ligands were evaluated in a series of in vitro tests: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and reducing power activity of superoxide anion radical generated non-enzymatic systems. Electrochemical and thermal properties of the compounds were investigated.

Recent advances in herbal medicine for treatment of liver diseases

CONTEXT

Liver disease is a serious ailment and the scenario is worsened by the lack of precise therapeutic regimens. Currently available therapies for liver ailments are not apposite and systemic toxicity inhibits their long term use. Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for treating liver diseases since centuries as the toxicity factor appears to be on the lower side.

OBJECTIVE

Several phytochemials have been identified which have significant hepatoprotective activity with minimal systemic adverse effects which could limit their long term use. The scenario calls for extensive investigations which can lead to development of lead molecules for hepatoprotective molecules of future. This review deals with the biological activity, mode of action and toxicity and forthcoming application of some of these leads.

METHODS

These generally have strong antioxidative potential and cause induction of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase. Additional mechanisms of hepatoprotection include stimulation of heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibition of nitric oxide production, hepatocyte apoptosis and nuclear factor-κB activation.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Out of the several leads obtained from plant sources as potential hepatoprotective agents, silymarin, andrographolide, neoandrographolide, curcumin, picroside, kutkoside, phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, and glycyrrhizin have been established as potent hepatoprotective agents. The hepatoprotective potential of several herbal medicines has been clinically evaluated. Significant efficacy has been seen with silymarin, glycyrrhizin and Liv-52 in treatment of hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and liver cirrhosis.

Antimutagenic effect of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat against chemical induced mutations of histidine dependent Salmonella typhimurium strains

Mutations are one of the important factors contributing to oncogenesis. Somatic mutations have been detected in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in various types of cancers. In vitro antimutagenic activity of ethyl acetate extract of macro fungus, Phellinus rimosus was evaluated by Ames' mutagenicity assay. The effect was evaluated against the direct acting mutagens (sodium azide, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, doxorubicin and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine) and mutagen needing activation (2-acetyl aminofluorine, and benzo[a]pyrene). The extract was significantly (p<0.05) and dose dependently effective against direct acting mutagens and mutagen needing activation. Among the antimutagenic activity against directly acting mutagens, effect was found to be highest against doxorubicin-induced mutation. The antimutagenic effect of the extract against indirect acting mutagen in the presence of mammalian metabolic activation system was also found to be significant (p<0.01). The background bacterial growth and number of revertant colonies in the extract alone treated plate with or with out metabolic activator was almost same as that of spontaneous revertants. This indicated the non-toxic nature of the extract. The effect was partially ascribed to the antioxidant activity. The results of the study suggest the possible antitumor mechanisms of P. rimosus.

Analgesic effects and the mechanisms of anti-inflammation of hispolon in mice

Hispolon, an active ingredient in the fungi Phellinus linteus was evaluated with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Treatment of male ICR mice with hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the numbers of acetic acid-induced writhing response. Also, our result showed that hispolon (20 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the formalin-induced pain in the later phase (P<.01). In the anti-inflammatory test, hispolon (20 mg/kg) decreased the paw edema at the fourth and fifth hour after λ-carrageenin (Carr) administration, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRx) in the liver tissue. We also demonstrated that hispolon significantly attenuated the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the edema paw at the fifth hour after Carr injection. Hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) decreased the nitric oxide (NO) levels on both the edema paw and serum level at the fifth hour after Carr injection. Also, hispolon (10 and 20 mg/kg) diminished the serum TNF-α at the fifth hour after Carr injection. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of hispolon might be related to the decrease in the level of MDA in the edema paw by increasing the activities of SOD, GPx and GRx in the liver. It probably exerts anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of TNF-α and NO.

Medicinal mushrooms: Towards a new horizon

The arising awareness about functional food has created a boom in this new millennium. Mushrooms are widely consumed by the people due to their nutritive and medicinal properties. Belonging to taxonomic category of basidiomycetes or ascomycetes, these mushrooms possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They are also one of the richest source of anticancer and immunomodulating agents. Thus these novel myochemicals from these mushrooms are the wave of future.

Current advances in Phellinus sensu lato: medicinal species, functions, metabolites and mechanisms

Twenty-six species of Phellinus sensu lato, reported as medicinal mushrooms, are enumerated in this review. The species' names were checked and revised according to contemporary taxonomy and the latest version of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code); two misapplied names of Phellinus baumii Pilát and Phellinus himalayensis Y.C. Dai in previous reports are also discussed. Of the 20 types of medicinal functions, the most shared functions are antitumor and improving immunity, both of which may be viewed as the basal functions of Phellinus s. l. In addition, alleviating septic shock, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation are also a routine functions mentioned often. The main medicinal metabolites, including several kinds of polysaccharides and polyphenols, are introduced. Different methods and conditions could purify various polysaccharides with difference in activity level even from the same species, while all polyphenols are hispidin and its derivatives in general. Three aspects of mechanism contribute to antitumor activities of polysaccharides: (1) promoting an immune response, (2) inducing cell apoptosis, and (3) inhibiting metastasis. Other general mechanisms of the metabolites in antioxidant activity, and in treating diabetes, as well as complications are summarized. We also elaborate on potential scientific strategies for obtaining the medicinal metabolites from Phellinus s. l., such as artificial cultivation, the discoveries of more species with medicinal functions, the utilization of species growing quickly, and the optimization of culture conditions and media supplements in fermentation.

Free-radical Scavenging Activity of some European Polyporales

The ethanol extracts of 30 mushroom species from the order Polyporales were tested for their free radical scavenging activities by means of the DPPH free-radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assays. In the DPPH radical scavenging test, 7 species gave EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL. The highest activity was exhibited by Fomitopsis pinicola (0.09 mg/mL). However, in the hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assay, only 4 species had EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL, with the highest activity being exhibited also by F. pinicola (0.26 mg/mL). When compared with known antioxidants, all the mushroom extracts exhibited relatively low activity in both assays. The free radical scavenging results appeared not to be correlated with the total phenol contents of the extracts.

The antioxidant activity and polyphenolic contents of different plant seeds extracts

Different plant seeds extracts of Citrus sinensis, Hordeum sativum, Triticum sativum, Canna indica, Citrullus vulgaris and Capsicum annuum were evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the following methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycril-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power, RBCs hemolysis and linoleic acid oxidation, a long with the determination of total phenolic and flavonoids contents. All the methanolic extracts showed high antioxidant activity and have high contents of phenolic and flavonoid. The Canna indica extract exhibited strong antioxidant as a reducing power and as DPPH radical-scavenging (3.61 absorbance, 87.12%, respectively), while the Hordeum sativum extract exhibited highest inhibitory effect on RBCs hemolysis (59.55%) and the Capsicum annuum extract has highest inhibitory effect on linoleic acid peroxidation (65.06%).

Free-radical Scavenging Activity of Some European Boletales

The ethanol extracts of 47 mushroom species from the order Boletales were tested for their free radical scavenging activities by means of the DPPH free-radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assays. In the DPPH radical scavenging test, 26 species gave EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL. The highest activity was exhibited by Gyrodon lividus (0.05 mg/mL). However, in the hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assay, only 4 species had EC50 values of less than 1 mg/mL, with the highest activity being exhibited by Strobilomyces floccopus (0.26 mg/mL). When compared with known antioxidants, all the mushroom extracts exhibited relatively low activity in both assays. The free radical scavenging results appeared to be correlated with the total phenol contents of the extracts.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of Ethanol Extract from Phellinus merrillii on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage

In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant capacities of ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (PM) on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. In high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the finger print chromatogram of PM was established. Both hispolon and PM showed a similar peak at the retention time of 6 min. This implied that PM did contain the active ingredient of hispolon. Treatment with PM (0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg) prior to the administration of carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml/kg in olive oil, 20%) significantly prevented the increased serum alanine aminotransferase (s-GOT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (s-GPT) in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that the incidences of ballooning degeneration, necrosis and portal triaditis were lowered in the group pretreated with PM. Carbon tetrachloride induces up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) (86.6%), catalase (58.8%) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)(64.7%) in the liver. Pretreatment with PM significantly reduced the all these antioxidant enzyme activities. Therefore, we verified that ethanol extract of PM has the hepatoprotective and antioxidant capacities on rats.

Janardhanan K. Indian medicinal mushrooms as a source of antioxidant and antitumor agents

Medicinal mushrooms occurring in South India namely Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus rimosus, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus pulmonaris possessed profound antioxidant and antitumor activities. This indicated that these mushrooms would be valuable sources of antioxidant and antitumor compounds. Investigations also revealed that they had significant antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activities. Thus, Indian medicinal mushrooms are potential sources of antioxidant and anticancer compounds. However, intensive and extensive investigations are needed to exploit their valuable therapeutic use.

Effects of natural polysaccharides on the growth and peritoneal carcinomatosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma in a nude mouse model

We have examined the effects of natural polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus (PG) in vitro and in vivo against gastric cancer. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. PG also led to a marked inhibition of tumor growth and significant decrease in the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Histological analysis of tumor confirmed dramatic increase in tumor cell apoptosis by PG, indicating reduced tumor cell proliferation. These data showed that polysaccharides isolated from PG significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic model of human gastric adenocarcinoma, without detectable problematic adverse effects.

Antimutagenic and anti-oxidant activities of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib

1. Tumors arise and progress through the accumulation of serial genetic changes, including successive mutations, which involve activation of proto-oncogenes and inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, leading to the uncontrolled proliferation of progeny cells. The human body is continuously and unavoidably exposed to structurally diverse chemicals with established carcinogenic activity in animal models and/or mutagenic activity in short-term tests. 2. Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that specifically inhibits the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase-2, has been reported to be effective against certain types of cancers. The in vitro anti-oxidant and antimutagenic activities of the celecoxib were investigated in the present study using standard procedures. 3. The antimutagenic activity of celecoxib was determined using histidine mutant Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535 against directly acting mutagens (sodium azide (NaN3), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPDA) and doxorubicin) and mutagens needing activation (2-acetamidofluorene (2-AF) and 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA)). 4. Celecoxib inhibited NaN3-, MNNG- and NPDA-induced mutations of TA100. The antimutagenicity of celecoxib (0.2 mg/plate) against the NaN3-induced mutation of TA1535 was 39.8% (P < 0.001). The MNNG-induced mutation of TA1535 was also inhibited by 0.3 mg/plate celecoxib (46.0%; P < 0.05). At concentrations of 0.2 mg/plate, celecoxib significantly inhibited NPDA- and doxorubicin-induced mutations of TA98 by 52.5 and 58.0%, respectively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). 5. The antimutagenic activity of 0.3 mg/plate celecoxib against 2-AF- and DMBA-induced mutations of TA98 was 81.76 and 98.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). 6. The anti-oxidant activity of celecoxib was determined by the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities. 7. The IC50 values of celecoxib for hydroxyl radical-scavenging and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation were 1.97 +/- 0.06 and 1.99 +/- 0.05 micromol/mL, respectively. Celecoxib had no superoxide radical scavenging-activity up to a concentration of 2.6 micromol/mL. 8. The in vitro antimutagenic and anti-oxidant activities of celecoxib indicate its possible therapeutic use as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

Cambodian Phellinus linteus inhibits experimental metastasis of melanoma cells in mice via regulation of urokinase type plasminogen activator

Phellinus linteus (PL) is a fungus mainly found in tropical America, Africa and Asian countries including Korea, Japan and China. PL has been traditionally used for the treatment of arthritis, liver damage and cancer. However, little was known on the biological activity and characterization of Phellinus species in Cambodia. Thus, in the present study, the anti-metastatic mechanism of aqueous extract of Cambodian Phellinus linteus (CPL) was evaluated. Cambodian mushroom was identified as a Phellinus species with 99% homology of Phellinus linteus by DNA sequence analysis and comparison by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. CPL did not exhibit any significant cytotoxicity against B16BL6 cells, invasive melanoma cells at 1 mg/ml. However, CPL inhibited platelet aggregation induced by B16BL6 cells and also disrupted the adhesion to gelatin and invasion of B16BL6 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, CPL dose-dependently inhibited the pulmonary metastatic colonies in C57BL/6 mice intravenously injected by B16BL6 cells up to 55.5% at a dose of 50 mg/kg compared with untreated control. CPL also down-regulated the expression of urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA), one of key proteins associated with invasion and metastasis of tumor cells in a concentration dependent fashion, while CPL didn't significantly affect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Taken together, these findings indicate that Cambodian Phellinus linteus may inhibit metastasis at least partly via regulation of uPA associated with tumor cell induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) and also suggest a further study for isolation of active ingredients and the involvement of adhesion molecule signaling pathway.

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus on benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice

AIM: Although polysaccharides from Phellinus mushrooms are a well-known material with anti-tumor properties, there is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG) on tumor. The modulating effect of polysaccharides isolated from PG on the benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in ICR female mice was investigated in this study.

METHODS: A forestomach carcinogenesis model was established in 40 ICR female mice receiving oral administration of BaP for 4 wk. The mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (10 each). The mice in each group were treated with sterile water or PG for 4 and 8 wk (SW4, PGW4, SW8, and PGW8 groups). Eight or 12 wk after the first dose of BaP, forestomachs were removed for histopathological and RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS: In histopathological changes and RT-PCR analysis, sterile water-treated mice showed significant hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa with a significantly increased expression of mutant p53 mRNA compared to mice treated with PG for 8 wk.

CONCLUSION: Polysaccharides isolated from PG may inhibit BaP-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice bydown-regulating mutant p53 expression.

Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus inhibit melanoma growth in mice

There is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) on melanoma. The effect of PG on the proliferation and apoptosis of the B16F10 melanoma cell line was determined by a sulforhodamine B (SRB) and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The in vivo effect of PG on B16F10 melanoma cells allografted in athymic nude mice was investigated. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, PG significantly inhibits melanoma growth in mice. The PG anti-tumor effect in vivo was associated with a significant increase in the melanoma apoptosis rate. These findings support PG as a therapeutic agent against melanoma.

Screening of Brazilian basidiomycetes for antimicrobial activity

A total of 103 isolates of basidiomycetes, representing 84 species from different Brazilian ecosystems, were evaluated for their antifungal and antibacterial activity in a panel of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. Tissue plugs of the fruiting bodies were cultivated in liquid media and the whole culture extracted with ethyl acetate. Crude extracts from Agaricus cf. nigrecentulus, Agrocybe perfecta, Climacodon pulcherrimus, Gloeoporus thelephoroides, Hexagonia hydnoides, Irpex lacteus, Leucoagaricus cf. cinereus, Marasmius cf. bellus, Marasmius sp., Nothopanus hygrophanus, Oudemansiella canarii, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Phellinus sp., and Tyromyces duracinus presented significant activity against one or more of the target microorganisms. Eight isolates were active only against bacteria while three inhibited exclusively the growth of fungi. Two extracts presented wide antimicrobial spectrum and were active against both fungi and bacteria. Differences in the bioactivity of extracts obtained from isolates from the same species were observed.