Estrogenic activities of compound GL-1, isolated from Ganoderma lucidum

Supercritical carbon-oxide extracts from cultivated and wild-grown Ganoderma lucidum mushroom: differences in ergosterol and ganoderic acids content, antioxidative and enzyme inhibitory properties

In the present study, we investigated the effect of supercritical carbon-oxide (scCO2) extraction on antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibitory potential, and levels of ergosterol and ganoderic acid in both cultivated and wild-grown G. lucidum. Extraction yields were slightly higher for wild samples (1.29%) than for cultivated ones (1.13%). The levels of ganoderic acid and ergosterol were higher in cultivated in comparison to wild samples. In addition, the total phenolic content in cultivated samples (13.42 mg GAE g-1) was higher than in wild samples (10.38 mg GAE g-1). In general, cultivated samples exhibited stronger antioxidant potential when compared with wild ones. Regarding enzyme inhibitory properties, it was validated that the wild samples (14.01 mg OE g-1) possessed greater lipase activity in comparison to cultivated samples (5.36 mg OE g-1). Based on our findings, cultivated G. lucidum might be considered a valuable source of natural bioactive agents in the preparation of health-promoting products.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of Cissampelos pareira L. identified by connectivity map-based analysis and in vitro studies

Background

Viral infections have a history of abrupt and severe eruptions through the years in the form of pandemics. And yet, definitive therapies or preventive measures are not present. Herbal medicines have been a source of various antiviral compounds such as Oseltamivir, extracted using shikimic acid from star anise (Illicium verum) and Acyclovir from Carissa edulis are FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved antiviral drugs. In this study, we dissect the anti-coronavirus infection activity of Cissampelos pareira L (Cipa) extract using an integrative approach.

Methods

We analysed the signature similarities between predicted antiviral agents and Cipa using the connectivity map (https://clue.io/). Next, we tested the anti-SARS-COV-2 activity of Cipa in vitro. Molecular docking analyses of constituents of with key targets of SARS-CoV2 protein viz. spike protein, RNA‑dependent RNA‑polymerase (RdRp) and 3C‑like proteinase. was also performed. A three-way comparative analysis of Cipa transcriptome, COVID-19 BALF transcriptome and CMAP signatures of small compounds was also performed.

Results

Several predicted antivirals showed a high positive connectivity score with Cipa such as apcidin, emetine, homoharringtonine etc. We also observed 98% inhibition of SARS-COV-2 replication in infected Vero cell cultures with the whole extract. Some of its prominent pure constituents e.g. pareirarine, cissamine, magnoflorine exhibited 40–80% inhibition. Comparison of genes between BALF and Cipa showed an enrichment of biological processes like transcription regulation and response to lipids, to be downregulated in Cipa while being upregulated in COVID-19. CMAP also showed that Triciribine, torin-1 and VU-0365114–2 had positive connectivity with BALF 1 and 2, and negative connectivity with Cipa. Amongst all the tested compounds, Magnoflorine and Salutaridine exhibited the most potent and consistent strong in silico binding profiles with SARS-CoV2 therapeutic targets.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03584-3.