Antioxidative and antimutagenic activities of 70% ethanolic extracts from four fungal mycelia-fermented specialty rices

In Vitro α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, Pancreatic Lipase, Xanthine Oxidase Inhibiting Activity of Agaricus bisporus Extracts

In this study, the α-amylase inhibitory activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, and Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity of the fruiting body extracts of 5 varieties of Agaricus bisporus (AB) were confirmed. First, the α-amylase inhibitory activity of AB12, AB13, AB18, AB34, and AB40 methanol extracts was lower than that of acarbose, a positive control, in all concentration ranges. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the AB40, AB13, and AB12 methanol extracts at the extract concentration of 1.0 mg/mL was 80.5%, 81.3%, and 78.5%, respectively, similar to that of acarbose, a positive control. The pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of the methanol extract of Agaricus bisporus fruiting body was significantly lower than that of the positive control orlistat in the concentration range of 50 ∼ 1.000 (mg/mL). The Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity was 0.5 ∼ 8.0 mg/mL of each extract, which was significantly lower than that of the positive control allopurinol in the same concentration range. However, the Xanthine Oxidase inhibitory activity of AB13 and AB40 at 8.0 mg/mL was about 70%, which was higher than that of other mushrooms. In conclusion, five kinds of Agaricus bisporus fruiting bodies seem to have inhibitory effects on enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and Xanthine Oxidase that degrade starch and protein. In particular, it has an inhibitory effect and a reduction effect on xanthine oxidase that causes gout, so it is expected that it can be developed and used as a food or health supplement with health functional properties through future research.

Comparative study of solid-state fermentation with different microbial strains on the bioactive compounds and microstructure of brown rice

The effects of solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus oryzae, and Neurospora sitophila were determined on the bioactive compound content and grain microstructure of brown rice (BR). After SSF, the β-glucan, arabinoxylans, γ-oryzanol, thiamine, riboflavin, phenolic, and flavonoid contents increased by 147, 11.2, 30.5, 16.9, 21.1, 76%, and 49.6%, respectively, indicating a marked increase in bioactive compound content. In addition, the water-soluble dietary fiber and arabinoxylan contents, and free phenolic and flavonoid contents significantly increased (p < 0.05). These changes were consistent with the microstructural changes observed after SSF, i.e., the outer cortex was rough, cracked, porous and separated from the starch endosperm, which was also cracked and porous; this should increase the dietary bioavailability of the bioactive compounds. SSF, especially with A. oryzae and Lb. plantarum, greatly enhanced the bioactive compound content in BR and has great potential in BR processing.

Overview of Inositol and Inositol Phosphates on Chemoprevention of Colitis-Induced Carcinogenesis

Chronic inflammation is one of the most common and well-recognized risk factors for human cancer, including colon cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a longstanding idiopathic chronic active inflammatory process in the colon, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Importantly, patients with IBD have a significantly increased risk for the development of colorectal carcinoma. Dietary inositol and its phosphates, as well as phospholipid derivatives, are well known to benefit human health in diverse pathologies including cancer prevention. Inositol phosphates including InsP3, InsP6, and other pyrophosphates, play important roles in cellular metabolic and signal transduction pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, RNA export, DNA repair, energy transduction, ATP regeneration, and numerous others. In the review, we highlight the biologic function and health effects of inositol and its phosphates including the nature and sources of these molecules, potential nutritional deficiencies, their biologic metabolism and function, and finally, their role in the prevention of colitis-induced carcinogenesis.

Extract of Monascus purpureus CWT715 Fermented from Sorghum Liquor Biowaste Inhibits Migration and Invasion of SK-Hep-1 Human Hepatocarcinoma Cells

Liver cancer is the most endemic cancer in a large region of the world. This study investigated the anti-metastatic effects of an extract of Monascus purpureus CWT715 (MP) fermented from sorghum liquor biowaste and its mechanisms of action in highly metastatic human hepatocarcinoma SK-Hep-1 cells. Kinmen sorghum liquor waste was used as the primary nutrient source to produce metabolites (including pigments) of MP. In the presence of 10 µg/mL MP-fermented broth (MFB), the anti-invasive activity increased with increasing fermentation time reaching a maximum at six days of fermentation. Interestingly, MFB also produced maximal pigment content at six days. Treatment for 24 h with MFB (10–100 µg/mL) obtained from fermentation for six days significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion, and these effects were concentration-dependent. MFB also significantly enhanced nm23-H1 protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner, which was highly correlated with migration and invasion. These results suggest that MFB has significant anti-migration and anti-invasion activities and that these effects are associated with the induction of nm23-H1 protein expression.

Hispolon suppresses SK-Hep1 human hepatoma cell metastasis by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 and urokinase-plasminogen activator through the PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways

Cancer metastasis is a primary cause of cancer death. Hispolon is an active phenolic compound of Phellinus linteus, a mushroom that has recently been shown to have antioxidant and anticancer activities. In this study, we first observed that hispolon exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on invasion and motility, but not on adhesion, of the highly metastatic SK-Hep1 cells in the absence of cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, hispolon decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and urokinase-plasminogen activator (uPA) in a concentration-dependent manner. Hispolon also inhibited phosphorylation of extracellular signaling-regulating kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/serine/threonine protein kinase (or protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Furthermore, treatment of SK-Hep1 cells with an inhibitor specific for ERK1/2 (PD98256) decreased the expression of MMP-2, and MMP-9. These results demonstrate that hispolon can inhibit the metastasis of SK-Hep1 cells by reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and uPA through the suppression of the FAK signaling pathway and of the activity of PI3K/Akt and Ras homologue gene family, member A (RhoA). These findings suggest that hispolon may be used as an antimetastatic agent.

Optimization of selected cultivation parameters for Cordyceps guangdongensis

AIMS

To increase the fruit body production of Cordyceps guangdongensis, selected cultivation conditions, especially nutritional parameters were optimized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cordyceps guangdongensis was inoculated on potato dextrose agar slants with pH values from 4.5 to 9.0 and cultivated in artificial media with different carbon and nitrogen supplements. Primordium formation in C. guangdongensis was favoured by slightly acidic conditions. Fruit body yields and biological efficiency (BE) recorded were all highest in cultures of C. guangdongensis supplemented with sucrose and KNO3 as carbon and nitrogen supplements, respectively. Highest fruit body yields and BE values were recorded with C : N ratio of 12 : 1. The optimal medium consisted of (g l(-1)) 20.0 sucrose, 4.0 soya bean powder, 5.0 beef extract and 10.0 KNO3. Cultivation experiments using this medium confirmed its reliability; 18.35% of BE was obtained, compared with a calculated maximum BE of 18.65% based on orthogonal test data.

CONCLUSIONS

Cordyceps guangdongensis preferred sucrose and potassium nitrate as best carbon and nitrogen supplements. It produced satisfying yield of fruit body with optimized medium.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Optimized artificial cultivation conditions could promote the yield of C. guangdongensis and decreased the cost of production.