Bioupdate Research-Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushroom » Chaga

[#2019-08] Chaga Duru, Kingsley et al. The pharmacological potential and possible molecular mechanisms of action of Inonotus obliquus

mushroom — Fri, 17 May 2019 15:49:11 +0000

The use of mushrooms as functional foods and in the treatment of diseases has a long history. Inonotus obliquus is a mushroom belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family and has possible anticancer, antiviral, and hypoglycemic properties. Chemical analysis of this mushroom has allowed the identification of various constituents such as melanins, phenolic compounds, and lanostane‐type triterpenoids. A plethora of findings have highlighted the potential molecular mechanisms of actions of this mushroom such as its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, inhibit the growth of tumors, decrease inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, and stimulate the immune system. This review summarizes the relevant findings with reference to the therapeutic potential of this mushroom in countering the progression of cancers, diabetes mellitus, and antiviral activities, while highlighting its possible molecular mechanisms of action. The possible role of this mushroom as a therapeutic agent in addressing the pathogenesis of diabetes and cancer has also been suggested.

[#2018-12] Chaga Yong, Tianquiao et al. Actions of Inonotus obliquus

mushroom — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:43:56 +0000

Abstract: Inonotus obliquus is an edible mushroom and also a remedy against various diseases, especially metabolic syndrome. In this paper we report the actions of an ethanol extract of I. obliquus (IOE) against hyperuricemia in hyperuricemic mice, and the screen of bioactives. The extract (IOE) was prepared by extracting I. obliquus at 65 C with ethanol, and characterized by HPLC. IOE at low, middle, and high doses reduced serum uric acid (SUA) of hyperuricemic mice (353 mol/L) to 215, 174, and 152 mol/L (p < 0.01), respectively, showing similar hypouricemic effectiveness to the positive controls. IOE showed a non-toxic impact on kidney and liver functions. Of note, IOE suppressed xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in serum and liver, and also down-regulated renal uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1). Four compounds hit highly against XOD in molecular docking.
Overall, the four compounds all occupied the active tunnel, which may inhibit the substrate from entering. The IC50 of betulin was assayed at 121.10 4.57 M, which was near to that of allopurinol (148.10 5.27 M). Betulin may be one of the anti-hyperuricemia bioactives in I. obliquus.

[#2018-11] Chaga Baek, Jiwon et al. Bioactivity-based analysis and chemical characterization of cytotoxic

mushroom — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 15:30:10 +0000

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Inonotus obliquus, also known as Chaga mushroom, is one of the most widely appreciated wild edible mushrooms in Russia and northern European countries and is renowned for its use in cancer treatment. Indeed, recently published in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated its anticancer activity in various types of cancer and support its potential application for therapeutic intervention in cancer. However, its activity against lung cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and the underlying molecular basis of its action remain to be fully elucidated.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of I. obliquus in four human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with different p53 status (A549, H1264, H1299, and Calu-6) and identify its active constituents by bioactivity-based analysis and the underlying molecular basis of their cytotoxicity on lung cancer cells. Materials and methods: Bioactivity-guided fractionation and preparative/semi-preparative HPLC purification were used with LC/MS analysis to separate the bioactive constituents. Cell viability and apoptosis in human lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1264, H1299, and Calu-6) were assessed using the WST-1 assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. Caspase activation was assessed by detecting its surrogate markers, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)
polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3, using an immunoblot assay. Results: The MeOH extract of I. obliquus reduced cell viability in all lung cancer cell lines tested through induction of apoptosis accompanied by caspase-3 cleavage. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract and chemical investigation of its cytotoxic hexane-soluble and CH2Cl2-soluble fractions led to the isolation of eight triterpenoids (1–8), including a new lanostane-type triterpenoid named chagabusone A (7). The structures of the isolates were elucidated based on spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR and high-resolution ESIMS. Among isolated compounds, compounds 1, 6, and 7 showed the most potent cytotoxic activity in all
human lung cancer cell lines examined, with IC50 values ranging from 75.1 to 227.4 μM. Cytotoxicity of these
compounds was mediated by apoptosis with caspase-3 activation.
Conclusion: These findings provide experimental evidence supporting the potential application of I. obliquus in
lung cancer

[#2018-10] Chaga Piu, Liu et al. Hypoglycaemic Activities of Two Polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus

mushroom — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 15:03:23 +0000

Abstract: In the present study, two polysaccharides (HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S) were isolated and purified from Inonotus obliquus using DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. The structural characterization and in vitro and in vivo hypoglycaemic activities of these molecules were investigated. HPLC analysis HIOP1-S was a heterpolysaccharide with glucose and galactose as the main compontent monosaccharides (50.247%, molar percentages). However, HIOP2-S was a heterpolysaccharide with glucose as the main monosaccharide (49.881%, molar percentages). The average molecular weights of HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S were 13.6 KDa and 15.2 KDa, respectively. The -type glycosidic bond in HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S was determined using infrared analysis. 1H-NMR spectra indicated that HIOP2-S contains the -configuration glycosidic bond, and the glycoside bonds of HIOP1-S are both -type and -type. The ultraviolet scanning showed that both HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S contained a certain amount of binding protein. Congo red test showed that HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S could form a regular ordered triple helix structure in the neutral and weakly alkaline range. HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S showed strong -glucosidase inhibitory activities and increased the glucose consumption of HepG2 cells. In addition, Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycaemic mice were used to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic effects of HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S in vivo. The results showed that HIOP2-S had antihyperglycaemic effects. Taken together, these results suggest that HIOP1-S and HIOP2-S have potential anti-diabetic effects.

[#2018-09] Maitake Zhang, Michael et al. Enhanced Anticancer Effect by Combination of Proteoglucan and Vitamin K3

mushroom — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:30:52 +0000

Bladder cancer is the second common genitourinary malignancy next to prostate cancer in the United States.1 Nearly 82,000 new cases would be diagnosed and ~ 17,000 people may die this year (2018).1 Approximately 75% of all newly diagnosed cases will present nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) including stage Ta, T1 and carcinoma in situ,2,3 while other 25% are muscle invasive bladder cancers (MIBCs) or metastatic cancers.3 The primary treatment for NMIBC is transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT);4 however, NMIBC following TURBT has a high recurrence rate of up to 70%, of which ~ 20% may progress to advanced MIBC.5 The reason(s) for this high recurrence is/are not fully understood, but a multifocal origin of disease, as well as intrinsic acquired resistance to drugs, appears to be a major cause of such a high incidence of disease relapse.6 Hence, the primary therapeutic aim is to prevent multiple recurrences and progression to a more advanced, MIBC. To reduce or minimize the risk of tumor recurrence, intravesical immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is often recommended following TURBT.5,7 This intravesical BCG administration is indeed the most effective therapy among currently available therapeutic options – it has been shown to alter disease progression, reduce recurrence, and increase survival.7,8 However, up to 80% of patients will have recurrence and up to 45% of them may progress to MIBC within 5 years.9 In addition, its benefits are also outweighed by its severe side effects including cystitis, fever, sepsis, and allergic reactions10 so that BCG treatment is often withdrawn from the recommended 1–3 year treatment protocol. These concerns thus limit its use in clinical practice and demonstrate the need for a nontoxic, safe, effective treatment modality with few side effects.

[#2018-07] Blagodatski, Artem et al. Medicinal mushrooms as an attractive new source of natural compounds for future cancer therapy

mushroom — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 15:03:50 +0000

Medicinal mushrooms have been used throughout the history of mankind for treatment of various diseases including cancer. Nowadays they have been intensively studied in order to reveal the chemical nature and mechanisms of action of their biomedical capacity. Targeted treatment of cancer, non-harmful for healthy tissues, has become a desired goal in recent decades and compounds of fungal origin provide a vast reservoir of potential innovative drugs. Here, on example of four mushrooms common for use in Asian and Far Eastern folk medicine we demonstrate the complex and multilevel nature of their anticancer potential, basing upon different groups of compounds that can simultaneously target diverse biological processes relevant for cancer treatment, focusing on targeted approaches specific to malignant tissues. We show that some aspects of fungo therapy of tumors are studied relatively well, while others are still waiting to be fully unraveled. We also pay attention to the cancer types that are especially susceptible to the fungal treatments.

BIORESEARCH UPDATE NEWS LETTER #1 Medicinal Mushrooms

mushroom — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:30:28 +0000

Medicinal Mushrooms For OPTIMUM HEALTH AND LONGEVITY

Ken Babal, C.N.

We all know that vitamin and mineral supplements can augment diets by providing essential nutrients that ward off disease. Likewise, botanicals can help us stay well, and can be used medicinally. There is yet a third category that ranks high for cultivating optimum health and resistance to disease. This is the mushroom category. Mushrooms are members of the fungal family, sometimes referred to as the third kingdom. Being neither plant nor animal, they possess highly unique characteristics that confer a wide array of health benefits.

In addition to essential nutrients, mushrooms contain many compounds with protective and therapeutic actions. Of particular interest is beta glucan, a complex carbohydrate, or polysaccharide that activates cellular immunity. Although we generally think of carbohydrates as providing energy, research reveals that some are involved in molecular recognition and cellular communication. Beta glucans are found in other foods, including oats and yeast. However, their chemical structures and effects are different from those of the beta glucans in mushrooms.

For thousands of years, mushrooms have been revered in China and Japan for their ability to maintain and improve health, preserve youth, and increase longevity. In many classic herbal formulations they are considered the main ingredient, or emperor. Today, there are hundreds of scientific studies validating the traditional usage of mushrooms. In numerous experiments and clinical trials, mushrooms have demonstrated antiallergenic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions, and an ability to sensitize cells to insulin.

There are a number of active ingredients in mushrooms that are obtained by alcohol extraction or methods other than simple hot water extraction.

The following are some examples of proven medicinal mushroom standardized extracts.

D-Fraction from Maitake is perhaps the most famous of the mushroom extracts, having been the focus of much anticancer research. D-Fraction is a concentrated extract containing a protein-bound beta glucan, which has been shown to stimulate vital components of cellular immunity such as T cells, B cells, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells.¹ Last year, a breakthrough study found that D-Fraction up-regulates twenty-two apoptosis genes, including the BAK-1 gene.² Researchers concluded that D-fraction has strong anti-cancer properties in breast cancer cells through BAK-1 gene expression. This is highly significant because it places D-fraction in a unique category apart from ordinary “immune boosters,” antioxidants and apoptosis-inducers.

Maitake is also the source of a unique glycoprotein called SX-Fraction, which has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity. SX-Fraction is a completely different compound from D-Fraction, and was awarded a US patent in 2007 for anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic effects.³Studies at Georgetown University found that SX-Fraction reduced levels of fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and body weight in genetically obese and diabetic rats. The extract also prevented hypertensive rats on a high sugar diet from developing insulin resistance. Furthermore, a clinical study found that Type 2 diabetics taking SX-Fraction for two months were able to significantly reduce their fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin and body weight.⁴

Reishi is perhaps the most renowned of all medicinal mushrooms, and is prescribed as an anti-aging tonic. It is said to be a supreme “shen” (spiritual) tonic that invokes peacefulness and changes how we perceive life. Reishi is widely used in Asia to support cardiovascular functions and reduce LDL cholesterol. It has been found to be effective in preventing and treating arteriosclerosis, angina and shortness of breath associated with coronary heart disease.

Reishi contains steroid-like compounds (triterpenes) that inhibit inflammation and histamine, the chemical responsible for allergic symptoms. Medicinal triterpenes are fat-soluble and are concentrated by alcohol extraction.

Lion’s Mane is one of the edible mushrooms widely distributed in Japan and China. Studies show that a class of compounds in Lion’s Mane, called hericenones, is able to regenerate neurons by stimulating production of Nerve Growth Factor.⁵ In addition, a fat-soluble fraction isolated from Lion’s Mane, called amyloban, is able to protect against neuronal cell death caused by toxic beta amyloid peptide, the main component of plaque that develops in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients.⁶

A study at a Chinese Pharmaceutical University compared Lion’s Mane extract with donepezil (Aricept), a common Alzheimer’s drug.⁷ Results showed that rats treated with the extract performed a water maze test equal to or better than those receiving the drug, depending on the dosage of the extract. Also, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, demonstrated that Lion’s Mane is effective in patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.⁸

And others mushrooms extracts are Agaricus, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Tremella, Meshima, Chaga, Coriolus and Poria. Agaricus enjoys superstar status in Japan. Its medicinal actions include counteracting or preventing tumors, fighting viruses, lowering cholesterol, regulating blood sugar levels and enhancing immunity. Cordyceps strengthens lung power and is a good choice for those who require energy for physical work or sports. It is considered one of the best sexual tonic. Shiitake is the most researched mushroom in the world, and is the source of two extensively studied derivatives used in Japan: lentinan and LEM. Tremella is a mushroom whose skin hydrating properties make it particularly useful as a beauty aid, both internally and externally. When compared to a form of hyaluronic acid, it demonstrated a stronger water holding capacity (500 hundred times its weight). Meshima mushroom has been attracting attention as being particularly protective of breast tissue. Researchers from Indiana University found that an extract of Meshima suppresses growth and invasive behavior of breast cancer cells.⁹Chaga has received wide acclaim as a medicinal mushroom mentioned in the 1968 novel Cancer Ward. In Russian medicine, a tea made from Chaga is used as to treat ulcers and tuberculosis, and to counteract or prevent tumors. The immune-enhancing activities of Coriolus and its constituents have been extensively studied in Japan since the mid-1970s, with over 400 clinical studies conducted on it. It is the source of PSK (polysaccharide-K) (brand name Krestin), one of the all-time best-selling cancer drugs sold mainly in Europe and Japan. Poria is very popular in traditional Chinese formulations for tonifying the spleen and kidney and for clearing dampness.

References

1. Kodama, N. et al. “Effect of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-Fraction on the Activation of NK Cells in Cancer Patients,” Journal of Medicinal Food 6 (4) 2003, pp. 371-377.

2. Soares, R. et al. “Maitake (D-Fraction) Mushroom Extract Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells by BAK- 1 Gene Activation,” Journal of Medicinal Food XX(X) 2011, pp. 1-10.

3. US Patent No. 7,214,778 for “Glycoprotein with Anti-diabetic, Anti-hypertensive, Anti-obesity and Anti-hyperlipidemic Effects from Grifola Frondosa, and a Method for Preparing Same.” (2007)

4. Konno, S. et al “A possible hypoglycemic effect of maitake mushroom on type 2 diabetic patients.” Diabetic Med. 18, 2001.

5. Kawagishi, H and Zhuang, C. “Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceum.” Drugs of the Future, 2008, 33(2): 149-155.

6. Nagai, K. et al “Dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine from Hericium erinaceum protects against ER stress-induced Neuro2a cell death via protein kinase C pathway.” J Nutr Biochem, 17 (2006) 525-530.

7. Kawagishi, H et al “Anti-dementia effects of a low polarity fraction extracted from Hericium erinaceum.” Abstracts of the 5^thInternational Medicinal Mushroom Conference, p. 18-19, September 5^th – 8^th, 2009, Nantong, China.

8. Mori, K et al “Improving Effects of the Mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceum) on Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.” Phytother Res, 23, 367-372 (2009).

9. Sliva D. et al “Phellinus Linteus Suppresses Growth, Angiogenesis, and Invasive Behavior of Breast Cancer Cells Through the Inhibition of AKT Signaling” British Journal of Cancer, 2008, pp. 1348-56.

[#2011-15] Chaga Lemieszek, Marta et al. Anticancer effects of fraction isolated from fruiting body of Chaga

mushroom — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:57:52 +0000

ABSTRACT: The medicinal mushroom Chaga, Inonotus obliquus (Pers.:Fr.) Pilát (Hymenochaetaceae), has been used in folk medicine in Russia, Poland, and most of the Baltic countries, as a cleansing and disinfecting measure, and as decoctions for stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver and heart ailments, and cancer treatment. Many reports have been published concerning the health promoting functions of this mushroom, including antibacterial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities. The purpose of the present study was evaluation of in vitro anticancer activity of fraction IO4 isolated from I. obliquus. The effect on cell proliferation, motility and viability was assessed in a range of cancer and normal cells. Chaga fraction prepared from dried fruiting bodies was subjected to anticancer evaluation in human lung carcinoma (A549), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), and rat glioma (C6) cell cultures. Human skin fibroblasts (HSF), bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAEC), models of rat oligodendrocytes (OLN-93), hepatocytes (Fao), rat astroglia, and mouse neurons (P19) were applied to test toxicity in normal cells. The following methods were applied: tumor cell proliferation (MTT assay and BrdU assay), cytotoxicity (LDH assay), tumor cell motility (wound assay), tumor cell morphology (May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining), and death detection (ELISA). Chaga fraction elicited anticancer effects which were attributed to decreased tumor cell proliferation, motility and morphological changes induction. Of note is the fact that it produced no or low toxicity in tested normal cells. The data presented could open interesting paths for further investigations of fraction IO4 as a potential anticancer agent.

[#2009-02] Comparative study of antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect of hot water and ethanol extracts from the mushroom Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), Honghai Hu et al.

mushroom — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:25:07 +0000

Comparative study of antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect of hot water and ethanol extracts from the mushroom Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

Honghai Hu,¹ Zhenya Zhang,¹ Zhongfang Lei,²•* Yingnan Yang,¹ and Norio Sugiura^l

Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan’

Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China²

The medicinal mushroom Chaga (Inototus obliquus) is a traditional and widely used multi-functional fungus. Hot water (50 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C) and ethanol crude extracts of I. obliquus were investigated for their antioxidant activity with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl) (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity assays. We also investigated the antiproliferative effects and ability of the extracts to induce apoptosis in human colon cancer DLD-1 cells. Among the four extracts, the ethanol extract (EE) exhibited the strongest SOD-like activity and antiproliferative effect on DLD-1 cells, and exposure to the EE resulted in the induction of apoptosis, whereas no apoptosis was observed in DLD-1 cells exposed to the hot water extracts (HWEs). HWE at 70 °C (HWE70) exhibited the strongest DPPH radical-scavenging activity (EC5O, 126 μg/ml), whereas the EE showed the weakest activity (EC50, 224 μg/m1). The different biological activities among the four extracts may be attributed to differences in their chemical composition, partially supported by polysaccharide, protein and phenolic content, and the H-NMR spectra.

[#2008-01] Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) induces G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, Myung-Ja Youn et al.

mushroom — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:20:19 +0000

Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) induces G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Myung-Ja Youn, Jin-Kyung Kim, Seong-Yeol Park, Yunha Kim, Se-Jin Kim, Hong Seob So, Raekil Park, Vestibulocochlear Research Center, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Jeonbuk, Korea

Ki-Young Kim, Ming-Xun Cui,College of Human Environmental Science, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea

Jin Seok Lee, Kyu Yun Chai, Department of Bionanochemistry, College of Natural Science, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk, Korea

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) water extract on human hepatoma cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B cells.

METHODS: The cytotoxicity of Chaga extract was screened by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological observation, flow cytometry analysis, Western blot were employed to elucidate the cytotoxic mechanism of Chaga extract.

CONCLUSION: Chaga mushroom may provide a new therapeutic option, as a potential anticancer agent, in the treatment of hepatoma.