Optimization of the Medium Composition for Production of Mycelial Biomass and Exo-Polysaccharide by Agaricus blazei Murill DPPh 131 Using Response-Surface Methodology

Agaricus subrufescens: substratum nitrogen concentration and mycelial extraction method on antitumor activity

Antitumor activity of Agaricus subrufescens has been shown on vegetative mycelium and basidiocarp. However, few studies have assessed the effect of A. subrufescens cultivation conditions and extraction methods on antitumor activity. This study evaluated the effect of nitrogen concentration on the cultivation medium of A. subrufescens and the extraction method of mycelial antineoplastic actives against sarcoma 180 cells implanted in mice. Two nitrogen sources (isolated soybean protein and NaNO3) and 10 nitrogen concentrations (0.25 to 8.0 g/L) were used. Dried mycelium extract was obtained by hot water infusion (1:10 mass:volume; 90 °C) or by aqueous mixture (1:10 mass:volume, ambient temperature) in ultrapure water. The doses were administered daily by gavage to mice implanted with sarcoma 180 cells. Isolated soy protein is more efficient to mycelial biomass production than NaNO3. The mycelial biomass production increases when the cultivation medium is added with high nitrogen concentrations as well as the splenic index and the antitumor activity of the moistened mycelial powder. Hot water extract is more effective than the moistened mycelial powder to reduce tumor. The antitumor activity of hot water mycelial extract is similar to the one of basidiocarps, presenting lower metabolic demand on the spleen, keeping blood parameters normal and promoting animal wellness.

Immunomodulatory Properties of Taranjebin (Camel’s Thorn) Manna and Its Isolated Carbohydrate Macromolecules

Taranjebin manna is a substance produced by Poophilus nebulosus Leth. (Aphrophoridae) larva that feed from host plant Alhagi maurorum (Leguminosae). In Persian ethnomedicine, it is used as an antipyretic, antiviral, antimicrobial, demulcent, and adaptogen. But it is contraindicated in acute fever and some infections. This controversy might be due to its immunomodulatory properties. This study evaluated immunomodulatory properties of Taranjebin and its macromolecules. Taranjebin solution was prepared as described in traditional literature. After dialysis and precipitation, the macromolecules were isolated on DEAE Sephadex A-25. The cytotoxic/proliferative properties of Taranjebin and its isolated macromolecules on human Jurkat E6.1 cells were investigated (15.62-1000 μg/mL) using WST-1 reagent. Three of 4 isolated acidic polysaccharides inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 31.25 μg/mL (IC50 range of 44.81-147.97 μg/mL). The crude aqueous Taranjebin solution had proliferative effects. These results indicate the immunomodulatory properties of Taranjebin.

Immunomodulatory properties of Trehala manna decoction and its isolated carbohydrate macromolecules

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Trehala manna (Shekar tighal) is a cocoon-shaped manna produced by larval activity of Curculionidae family on some Echinops species. In Persian traditional medicine, it is used not only for the treatment of fever and constipation but also for sore throat, influenza and some other viral and bacterial infections which seems to be related to its boosting effects on immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunomodulatory properties of Trehala manna and its isolated polysaccharides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several carbohydrate macromolecules were isolated from Trehala manna decoction using solvent-solvent extraction, ion exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The macromolecules were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and spectrophotometric methods. The immunomodulatory effects of Trehala manna decoction and its isolated polysaccharides were evaluated on Jurkat cells at different concentrations using WST-1 reagent.

RESULTS

Seven water-soluble polysaccharides were isolated with the structures of rhamnogalacturonan, glucogalacturonan, manno-arabinogalacturonan or homogalacturonan and the molecular weights (MW) of ≤1.67-667 ≤ kDa. Large polysaccharides with MW ≥667 kDa and pectin inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 range of 98.06-429.53 µg/mL. The IC50 for low MW polysaccharides (around 1 kDa) did not show considerable cytotoxicity (IC50>1000 µg/mL), in contrast, they exhibited a dose-dependent enhancement of cell proliferation at concentration range of 15.62-62.50 μg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Trehala aqueous decoction and its isolated polysaccharides showed some immunomodulatory effects on Jurkat cell line in a dose-dependent manner and the molecular weight of these polysaccharides also revealed a great impact on their cytotoxic/proliferative properties.