Analgesic effects of Marasmius androsaceus mycelia ethanol extract and possible mechanisms in mice

The Combination of Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence Reveals Four New Gymnopus Species and New Distribution

The genus Gymnopus plays a significant role in ecological systems, with certain species holding potential as food or medicinal resources. However, the species diversity of Gymnopus in China remains unclear. In recent years, more than one thousand Gymnopus specimens have been collected across China. Thus, through the integration of ecological evidence, detailed morphological studies, and phylogenetic analysis using a multiloci dataset of ITS + nLSU + tef1-ɑ, four new species-Gymnopus longistipes, Gymnopus striatipileatus, Gymnopus viridiscus, and Gymnopus spadiceus-have been differentiated from known species. Gymnopus similis has been newly documented from Jiangxi Province, China. Detailed descriptions and vivid illustrations have been provided based on the newly collected specimens, along with comparisons to closely related species. Additionally, a key to the reported species of Gymnopus s.l. from East China has been included.

Integration of Metabolomics with Network Pharmacology Deciphers the Anti-Fatigue Activity Mechanisms of the Extract of Mirabilis himalaica Root

Fatigue, a common symptom in both diseased and healthy individuals, is a biological phenomenon characterized by a sense of extreme physical or mental exhaustion. To explore novel drugs and food sources of anti-fatigue, the hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Mirabilis himalaica (MH extract) is evaluated as anti-fatigue agents in this work, and clarifies that the mechanism of MH intervention in fatigue symptoms, and distribution of the anti-fatigue constituents in the plant of Mirabilis himalaica is examined. The results show that the MH extract have a significantly anti-fatigue effect via the pharmacological experiment and biochemical indicators. The network pharmacology, metabolomics, molecular docking, and pharmacology are integrated to determine that boeravinone A, B, and E are the pharmacoperones of anti-fatigue. Moreover, the compounds of boeravinone are present only in the root and not in the leaf and stem of the Mirabilis himalaica, which validates that root of Mirabilis himalaica is historically and officially utilized medicinal parts.

Structure feature and antidepressant-like activity of a novel exopolysaccharide isolated from Marasmius androsaceus fermentation broth

The structure and antidepressant like activity of MEPS2 extracted from Marasmius androsaceus subjected to submerged fermentation was systematically studied. MEPS2 is a pyranoid polysaccharide composed of glucose and arabinose, which have a molar ratio of 0.56:0.08. The molecular weight was 85,944 Da. The NMR spectrum suggested the extracted MEPS2 contained uronic acid, and the glucosyl linkage was in α form, in accordance with the analysis of FT-IR spectrum. MEPS2 can considerably enhance the levels of noradrenalin (NE) and dopamine (DA) by ELISA. In addition, western blotting results indicated that MEPS2 can enhance the expression levels of TH, D2DR, and CAMKII. Furthermore, we found that AMPT, raclopride, and prazosin blocked the immobility and time-reducing effect of MEPS2. Overall, the antidepressant-like effect of MEPS2 may be involved in catecholamine synthesis and release, and TH, D2DR and CAMKII play an important role in this process.

Antinociceptive Effect of Hinokinin and Kaurenoic Acid Isolated from Aristolochia odoratissima L

Aristolochia odoratissima L. is employed for the treatment of pain and as an antidote against the poison of venomous animals in traditional medicine. However, reports have not been found, to our knowledge, about the evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of extracts nor about the presence of compounds associated with this activity. Thus, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of extracts and compounds isolated from the stems of Artistolochia odoratissima L. The extracts were obtained with solvents of increasing polarity and the compounds were isolated and characterized by column chromatography, HPLC, and NMR. The antinociceptive activity was carried out by the formalin test in mice. Ethyl acetate (AoEA) and methanolic (AoM) extracts decreased the paw licking in both phases of the formalin test. The isolated compounds (kaurenoic acid and hinokinin) from AoEA showed the highest antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin test. These results confirmed the analgesic effect of this specie described in traditional medicine and provided a base for a novel analgesic agent. They also allowed an approach for the development of standardized plant extracts with isolated metabolites.