In silico targeting of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain from different variants with chaga mushroom terpenoids

Terpenoids from the chaga mushroom have been identified as potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. This is because it can firmly bind to the viral spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and the auxiliary host cell receptor glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78). The current work examines the association of the chaga mushroom terpenoids with the RBD of various SARS-CoV-2 variants, including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and omicron. This association was compared to the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (WT) RBD using molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics modeling. The outcomes demonstrated that the mutant RBDs, which had marginally greater average binding affinities (better binding) than the WT, were successfully inhibited by the chaga mushroom terpenoids. The results suggest that the chaga mushroom can be effective against various SARS-CoV-2 variants by targeting both the host-cell surface receptor GRP78 and the viral spike RBD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Chaga mushroom triterpenoids as adjuncts to minimally invasive cancer therapies: A review

Cancer has become the second leading cause of death in the world. Integrative cancer therapy management is continuously evolving to enhance treatment outcomes. Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus acclaimed to contain pharmaceutical and nutraceutical value in the fight against cancer. In particular, triterpenoid constituents derived from Chaga mushrooms have been recognized for their anti-cancer activity after distinguished cytotoxicity was repeatedly observed in cancer cells treated in vitro with lipophilic fractions of extract compared to aqueous ones. Studies that investigate the anti-cancer activity of Chaga mushroom triterpenoids are reviewed in this article to determine which cancer cell lines demonstrate the greatest susceptibility to them while highlighting the structure-activity relationships that are involved. Triterpenoid supplementation as an adjunct to cancer treatment may be a viable option as inotodiol and 3-β-22 α-dihydroxylanosta-8, 25-diene-24-one have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity similar to that of conventional drugs. Advances in addressing bioavailability challenges are also included in this review as studies include in vivo components.

A review of the pharmacological activities and protective effects of Inonotus obliquus triterpenoids in kidney diseases

Kidney diseases are common health problems worldwide. Various etiologies ultimately lead to the development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Natural compounds from herbs or medicinal plants are widely used for therapy and prevention of various ailments, among which is Inonotus obliquus. I. obliquus is rich in triterpenoids and the main active ingredients include betulinic acid, trametenolic acid, inotodiol, and ergosterol. New evidence suggests that I. obliquus triterpenes may be an effective drug for the treatment and protection of various kidney diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight the pharmacological activities and potential role of I. obliquus triterpenes in the kidney disease treatment and protection.

Deciphering the antitumoral potential of the bioactive metabolites from medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The crude extracts of the medicinal mushroom Inonotus obliquus have been used as an effective traditional medicine to treat malicious tumors, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and other inflammatory conditions in Russia and most Baltic countries.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

Deciphering the antitumoral potential of the bioactive metabolites from I. obliquus and addressing its possibility to be used as effective agents for tumor treatment, restoration of compromised immunity and protection of gastrointestinal damage caused by chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analysed the current achievements and dilemma in tumor chemo- or immunotherapy. In this context, we searched the published literatures on I. obliquus covering from 1990 to 2020, and summarized the activities of antitumor, antioxidation, and immunomodulation by the polysaccharides, triterpenoids, small phenolic compounds, and hispidin polyphenols. By comparing the merits and shortcomings of current and traditional methodology for tumor treatment, we further addressed feasibility for the use of I. obliquus as an effective natural drug for tumor treatment and prevention.

RESULTS

The diverse bioactive metabolites confer I. obliquus great potential to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Its antitumor activities are achieved either through suppressing multiple oncogenic signals including but not limited to the activation of NF-κB and FAK, and the expression of RhoA/MMP-9 via ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The antitumor activities can also be achieved by inhibiting tyrosinase activity via PAK1-dependent signaling pathway or altering lysosomal membrane permeabilization through blocking tubulin polymerization and/or disturbing energy metabolism through LKB1/AMPK pathway. In addition, the metabolites from I. obliquus also harbour the potentials to reverse MDR either through selective inhibition on P-gp/ABCB1 or MRP1/ABCC1 proteins or the induction of G2/M checkpoint arrest in tumor cells of chemoresistant phenotypes mediated by Nox/ROS/NF-kB/STAT3 signaling pathway. In addition to the eminent effects in tumor inhibition, the metabolites in I. obliquus also exhibit immunomodulatory potential to restore the compromised immunity and protect against ulcerative damage of GI tract caused by chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

I. obliquus possesses the potential to reduce incidence of tumorigenesis in healthy people. For those whose complete remission has been achieved by chemotherapy, administration of the fungus will inhibit the activation of upstream oncogenic signals and thereby prevent metastasis; for those who are in the process of chemotherapy administration of the fungus will not only chemosensitize the tumor cells and thereby increasing the chemotherapeutic effects, but also help to restore the compromised immunity and protect against ulcerative GI tract damage and other side-effects induced by chemotherapy.

Practical Application of "About Herbs" Website: Herbs and Dietary Supplement Use in Oncology Settings

The Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center developed and maintains About Herbs (www.aboutherbs.com), which provides summaries of research data including purported uses, adverse effects, and herb-drug interactions for about 284 dietary supplements. Using Google Analytics, we found the website registered more than 26,317,000 hits since November 2002. The 10 most searched-for herbs/supplements of 2018 are chaga mushroom, turmeric, ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, graviola, Active Hexose-Correlated Compound, boswellia, dandelion, green tea, and Coriolus versicolor. Here we discuss their safety, herb-drug interactions, and appropriate uses in the oncology setting, based on literature searches in PubMed. Over the past 16 years, the evidence for use of these supplements is based mostly on preclinical findings, with few well-designed studies and limited trials conducted in cancer patients. It is important to familiarize health care professionals about popular supplements, so patients can be informed to make decisions that maximize benefits and minimize risks.

RNA-Seq de Novo Assembly and Differential Transcriptome Analysis of Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) Cultured with Different Betulin Sources and the Regulation of Genes Involved in Terpenoid Biosynthesis

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a medicinal fungus used in traditional medicine of Native American and North Eurasian cultures. Several studies have demonstrated the medicinal properties of chaga's bioactive molecules. For example, several terpenoids (e.g., betulin, betulinic acid and inotodiol) isolated from I. obliquus cells have proven effectiveness in treating different types of tumor cells. However, the molecular mechanisms and regulation underlying the biosynthesis of chaga terpenoids remain unknown. In this study, we report on the optimization of growing conditions for cultured I. obliquus in presence of different betulin sources (e.g., betulin or white birch bark). It was found that better results were obtained for a liquid culture pH 6.2 at 28 °C. In addition, a de novo assembly and characterization of I. obliquus transcriptome in these growth conditions using Illumina technology was performed. A total of 219,288,500 clean reads were generated, allowing for the identification of 20,072 transcripts of I. obliquus including transcripts involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. The differential expression of these genes was confirmed by quantitative-PCR. This study provides new insights on the molecular mechanisms and regulation of I. obliquus terpenoid production. It also contributes useful molecular resources for gene prediction or the development of biotechnologies for the alternative production of terpenoids.

Inotodiol inhibits cells migration and invasion and induces apoptosis via p53-dependent pathway in HeLa cells

BACKGROUND

Inonotus obliquus, namely as Chaga mushroom, is a medicinal and edible fungus, which is widely used in food and medical fields. Inotodiol, a natural lanostane-type triterpenoid with remarkable pharmacological activities, was isolated from Inonotus obliquus, which its potential anti-tumor molecular mechanism was elaborated poorly.

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Inotodiol on HeLa cell migration, invasion and apoptosis through p53-dependent pathway.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The potential mechanisms of Inotodiol on HeLa cell anti-metastatic and pro-apoptosis via wound healing assay, trans-well invasion assay, flow cytometry, caspase-3 activity assay and western blot analysis were studied, as well as the involvement of p53 signaling pathway in anti-metastatic and pro-apoptosis of Inotodiol. Besides, the function of tumor suppressor p53 was further verified by small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

Firstly, the cell viability assay showed that low-concentration of Inotodiol had no cytotoxicity to HeLa cells and whereas the concentration above 25 μM significantly inhibited HeLa cell growth and even induced apoptosis. This result was further demonstrated by cell proliferation and morphology assay. Secondly, in vitro wound healing and trans-well invasion assays reported that low-concentration treatment of Inotodiol significantly inhibited cells migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner, the western blot analysis of matrix mettalloprotinase-2 (MMP2) and matrix mettalloprotinase-9 (MMP9) levels were also decreased. Moreover, Inotodiol notably induced tumor cell apoptosis by Annexin-V-FITC apoptosis assay, which is associated with activation pro-apoptotic proteins of PARP, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax expression, inhibition anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. Finally, the anti-tumor activity of Inotodiol was attenuated by silencing p53 tumor suppressor, the result revealed that pre-treatment with p53-specific small interfering RNA (si-p53) markedly inhibited Intodiol-indeuced HeLa cell apoptosis and decreased the caspase-3 activity. What is more, the inhibitory effect of Inotodiol on tumor migration and invasion was blocked under p53 knockdown.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, the present study indicated that Inotodiol possessed the potential to prevent malignant tumor migration and invasion, and it might be a natural active compound candidate for clinical treatment of human cervical cancer.

Chaga ( Inonotus obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal Fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B)

Background:Inonotus obliquus, also known as Chaga, is a parasitic fungus growing on birches and used in traditional medicine (especially by Khanty people) to treat various health problems. In this study, we aimed to quantify the 3 metabolites frequently cited in literature, that is, betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol in the Chaga recently discovered in forests located in Normandy (France), and to compare their concentrations with Ukrainian and Canadian Chaga. This study also explores the cytotoxicity of the French Chaga against cancer-derived cells and transformed cells. Methods: A quantification method by HPLC-MS-MS (high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry) of betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol was developed to study the French Chaga and compare the concentration of these metabolites with extracts provided from Chaga growing in Canada and Ukraine. This method was also used to identify and quantify those 3 compounds in other traditional preparations of Chaga (aqueous extract, infusion, and decoction). Among these preparations, the aqueous extract that contains betulin, betulinic acid, and inotodiol was chosen to evaluate and compare its cytotoxic activity toward human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 line) and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B line). Results: French Chaga contains betulin and betulinic acid at higher levels than in other Chaga, whereas the concentration of inotodiol is greater in the Canadian Chaga. Moreover, the results highlighted a cytotoxic activity of the Chaga’s aqueous extract after 48 and 72 hours of exposure with a higher effect on cancer-derived cells A549 than on normal transformed cells BEAS-2B (P = 0.025 after 48 hours of exposure and P = 0.004 after 72 hours of exposure).

The Mechanism of Computed Tomography-Guided 125I Particle in Treating Lung Cancer

Background

The incidence of malignant tumor has gradually increased. How to improve the survival and quality of life of patients who lose the opportunity for surgery or who are unwilling to receive surgery remains an obstacle. At present, ¹²⁵I particle interstitial implant therapy has been applied in a variety of treatments of tumors. However, the mechanism of computed tomography (CT)-guided ¹²⁵I particle therapy in lung cancer has not been fully elucidated.

Material/Methods

A total of 42 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed between January 2013 and December 2013, including 19 patients who received CT-guided ¹²⁵I particle therapy and 23 patients who received chemotherapy. Curative effect and adverse reactions at 6 months and 12 months were compared and analyzed. A rabbit lung cancer VX2 model was treated by ¹²⁵I particle implantation therapy under CT guidance. The change in tumor volume was detected. Tumor cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. Bcl-2 and Bax expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot.

Results

¹²⁵I particle therapy obviously reduced tumor volume after 6 months and 12 months. It showed significantly higher efficiency (57.9%, 57.9%) and control (78.9%, 73.7%) than the rates of efficiency and control in the chemotherapy group (P<0.05). ¹²⁵I particle implantation therapy markedly suppressed rabbit VX2 transplanted tumor cell proliferation, promoted tumor regression, induced tumor cell apoptosis, reduced Bcl-2 expression, and upregulated Bax expression level (P<0.05).

Conclusions

CT-guided ¹²⁵I particle implantation therapy can inhibit tumor proliferation and growth by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins, which is a promising approach in lung cancer treatment.

Cytotoxicity of Trichoderma spp. cultural filtrate against human cervical and breast cancer cell lines

Trichoderma spp. are known as a rich source of secondary metabolites with biological activity belonging to a variety of classes of chemical compounds. These fungi also are well known for their ability to produce a wide range of antibiotic substances and to parasitize other fungi. In search for new substances, which might act as anticancer agents, the overall objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma asperellum cultural filtrates against human cervical and breast cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7 cells respectively). To achieve this objective, cells were exposed to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ ml of both T. harzianum cultural filtrate (ThCF) and T. asperellum cultural filtrate (TaCF) for 24h, then the cell viability and the cytotoxic responses were assessed by using trypan blue and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)- 2,5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Morphological changes in cells were investigated by phase contrast inverted microscopy. The results showed that ThCF and TaCF significantly reduce the cell viability, have cytotoxic effects and alter the cellular morphology of HeLa and MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. A concentration of 80 and 100mg/ml of ThCF resulted in a sharp decline in the cell viability percent of HeLa and MCF-7 respectively (25.2%, 26.5%) which was recorded by trypan blue assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of ThCF and TaCF in HeLa and MCF-7 were recorded as 16.6, 12.0, 19.6 and 0.70 mg/ml respectively by MTT assay. These results revealed that ThCF and TaCF have a substantial ability to reduce the viability and proliferation of human cervical and breast cancer cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor protects human mesangial cells against apoptosis induced by lead damage

Lead is a kind of nephrotoxic metal which frequently threats human health. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor that protects cell apoptosis. In this study, human mesangial cells (HMCs) were treated with a single HGF dose of 20 and 40 μl/ml in order to investigate the effect of HGF on proliferation and apoptosis ability of HMCs induced by lead acetate. In HGF-treated group, HMCs were incubated with HGF (20, 40 μl/ml) half an hour prior to lead inducing. After lead-induced damage 48 h, the proliferation of HMCs was measured by MTT assay, and the apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of P53, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 mRNA. The expression of Bax protein was measured by Western blot analysis. The results showed that HGF inhibits proliferation of HMCs induced lead acetate in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). HGF significantly promoted the proliferation of HMCs, and flow cytometry revealed that HGF can inhibit apoptosis of HMCs. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that P53, Bax, and caspase-3 expression decreased, while Bcl-2 expression increased. HGF may afford a protection to HMCs against lead-induced damage.