Bioupdate Research-Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushroom » Poria

[#2022-01] Poria Konno, Sensuke et al. – Anticancer Effect of Medicinal Mushroom Extract on Renal

mushroom — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 14:44:09 +0000

In the present study, the Poria mushroom extract, PE, appears to be a promising natural oral agent capable of significantly reducing cell viability and ultimately leading to ER-induced apoptosis in human RCC, ACHN cells. Thus, PE may have potential clinical implications as an adjuvant agent/supplement offering the therapeutic option for RCC, although more studies are yet required.

[#2020-03] Poria Liao, Yueh-Hsiang et al. Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Associated with Female Infertility In Taiwan, A Population Based Case Control Study

mushroom — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 17:17:40 +0000

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of female infertility remains ambiguous. -e aim of the present case-control study was to examine the association between TCM treatment and successful pregnancy among infertile women. Methods. -is population-based case-control study included the data from 2,627 infertile women with successful pregnancy and 2,627 infertile women without successful pregnancy using datasets from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 of the National Health Insurance Research Database during 2000–2010. -e odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship between TCM use and successful pregnancy in infertility women were estimated using logistic regression. Results. Patients who received TCM treatment significantly increased in successful pregnancy (OR � 1.48; 95% CI � 1.31–1.66), compared with patients without TCM. Si-Wu-Tang (OR � 4.25; 95% CI � 2.18, 8.30), Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan (OR � 3.27; 95% CI � 2.13, 5.02), and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (OR � 3.17; 95% CI � 2.35, 4.28) were the TCM agents that were most strongly associated with successful pregnancy among infertile women. Conclusions. Our study findings indicate that TCM is associated with higher likelihood of successful pregnancy in infertile women, which is worthy of further investigation by randomized control trial.

[#2019-06] Poria Sun, Shan Shan et al. An insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of Poria cocos improves hyperglycemia

mushroom — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 14:26:57 +0000

Metabolic syndrome characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis is becoming prevalent all over the world. Herein, a water insoluble polysaccharide (WIP) was isolated and identified from the sclerotium of Poria cocos, a widely used Traditional Chinese Medicine. WIP was confirmed to be a (1-3)-β-D-glucan with an average Mw of 4.486 × 106 Da by NMR and SEC-RI-MALLS analyses. Furthermore, oral treatment with WIP from P. cocos significantly improved glucose and lipid metabolism and alleviated hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. 16S DNA sequencing analysis of cecum content from WIP-treated mice indicated the increase of butyrate-producing bacteria Lachnospiracea, Clostridium. It was also observed that WIP treatment elevated the level of butyrate in gut, improved the gut mucosal integrity and activated the intestinal PPAR-γ pathway. Fecal transplantation experiments definitely confirmed the causative role of gut microbiota in mediating the benefits of WIP. It is the first report that the water insoluble polysaccharide from the sclerotium of P. cocos modulates gut microbiota to improve hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thereby, WIP from P. cocos, as a prebiotic, has the potential for the prevention or cure of metabolic diseases and may elucidate new mechanism for the efficacies of this traditional herbal medicine on the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism.

[#2018-01] Poria Konno, Sensuke et al. Anticancer effect of Medicinal mushrooms with Prooxidant Activity on Human Bladder Cancer Cells

mushroom — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 13:50:15 +0000

Oxidative stress (OXS) has been recently considered as one of anticancer strategies by taking advantage of higher vulnerability of cancer cells (than normal cells) to OXS. In fact, the successful outcomes using OXS have been reported in several cancer cases. A medicinal mushroom extract, PE isolated from Poria mushroom, has been shown to have anticancer/antitumor activity, although its anticancer mechanism has not been fully understood but may involve OXS. We investigated if PE might have anticancer effect on human bladder cancer cells through OXS in vitro. A dose-dependent (0-200 μg/ml of PE) study was first performed to assess cell viability using MTT assay. PE led to a significant reduction in cell viability with the IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of 100 μg/ml. A possible anticancer role of OXS was then assessed by lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay. The results indicated that PE indeed exerted ~2.1-fold greater OXS (than controls) on the cells. The anticancer mechanism of PE was further explored, focusing on glycolysis, metabolic signaling pathways, and apoptosis. Two glycolytic parameters, hexokinase (HK) activity and cellular ATP level, have significantly declined, suggesting the inhibition of glycolysis. Coupled with the reduced ATP level, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated, while protein kinase B (Akt) was inactivated and concomitantly mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was inhibited. These results imply the growth cessation, followed by cell death. Western blot analysis also revealed that such cell death was more likely linked to apoptosis, indicated by the bcl-2 down-regulation and the Bax up-regulation. Therefore, PE is a natural anticancer agent with prooxidant activity exerting OXS, which leads to inhibition of glycolysis, modulations of metabolic signaling pathways, and ultimately apoptosis. It may have clinical implications in oral and/or intravesical administration for a safer and better therapeutic option for bladder cancer.

[#2016-07] Poria Konno, Sensuke et al. Antioxidant and Renoprotective Effects of Mushroom Extract; Implication in Prevention of Nephrolithiasis

mushroom — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:05:53 +0000

The present study shows that PE has antioxidant and renoprotective effects against severe oxidative stress exerted by H2O2 or COM (CaOx monohydrate). Such oxidative stress would inhibit glycolysis, deplete cellular ATP, and also interfere with the cell cycle progression (a G1 cell cycle arrest). These adverse effects may account for the resulting cell viability reduction but could be effectively prevented by PE. Therefore, PE is a promising agent with antioxidant activity, capable of protecting renal cells from oxidative assault, and may also reduce the incidence of CaOx stone cases.

[#2015-03] Poria Cheng, Shujie et al. Pachymic Acid Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Pancreatic Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo by Targeting ER Stress

mushroom — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 14:02:53 +0000

Pachymic acid (PA) is a purified triterpene extracted from medicinal fungus Poria cocos. In this paper, we investigated the anticancer effect of PA on human chemotherapy resistant pancreatic cancer. PA triggered apoptosis in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2. Comparative gene expression array analysis demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was induced by PA through activation of heat shock response and unfolded protein response related genes. Induced ER stress was confirmed by increasing expression of XBP-1s, ATF4, Hsp70, CHOP and phospho-eIF2α. Moreover, ER stress inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) blocked PA induced apoptosis. In addition, 25 mg kg-1 of PA significantly suppressed MIA PaCa-2 tumor growth in vivo without toxicity, which correlated with induction of apoptosis and expression of ER stress related proteins in tumor tissues. Taken together, growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis by PA in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells were associated with ER stress activation both in vitro and in vivo. PA may be potentially exploited for the use in treatment of chemotherapy resistant pancreatic cancer.

[#2014-08] Poria Tang, Jin et al. Characterization and antioxidant activities of degraded polysaccharides from Poria cocos sclerotium

mushroom — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 16:44:45 +0000

Poria cocos F.A.Wolf is a Chinese traditional medicine used to treat chronic gastritis, edema, nephrosis, gastric atony, and acute gastroenteric catarrh. Polysaccharides are the main active component of P.cocos. We obtained polysaccharides PCP-1, PCP-2, and PCP-3 from the degradation of P. cocos polysaccha-rides (PCP) with different concentrations of H2O2 solution. Molecular weights were determined by high performance size exclusion chromatography. HPLC analysis of monosaccharide composition confirmed that PCP-1, PCP-2, and PCP-3 are heteropolysaccharides composed of glucose and arabinose. IR spectra indicated obvious characteristic peaks of polysaccharides. The antioxidant activities of these polysaccharides were evaluated by established in vitro systems, including scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals, ABTS radicals, and ferrous ions. The degradation polysaccharides exhibited obvious and concentration-dependent antioxidant properties. In addition, DNA binding analysis showed that PCP-1 had a strongercapacity than other polysaccharides to interact with DNA. However, each polysaccharide had a certain capacity for DNA damage protection.

[#2013-16] Poria Cheng, Shujie et al. Triterpenes from Poria cocos suppress growth and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells through the downregulation of MMP-7

mushroom — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:50:17 +0000

Abstract. Poria cocos is a medicinal mushroom that is widely used in traditional Asian medicine. Here, we show that a characterized mixture of triterpenes extracted from P. cocos (PTE) and three purified triterpenes: pachymic acid (PA), dehydropachymic acid (DPA) and polyporenic acid C (PPAC) suppress the proliferation of the human pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1, MiaPaca-2, AsPc-1 and BxPc-3. Moreover, the most effective compound, PA, only slightly affects the proliferation of HPDE-6 normal pancreatic duct epithelial cells. The anti-proliferative effects of PTE on BxPc-3 cells are mediated by the cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that PTE significantly downregulates the expression of KRAS and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in BxPc-3 cells. In addition, PTE and PA suppress the invasive behavior of BxPc-3 cells. The inhibition of invasiveness by PTE and PA was associated with the reduction of MMP-7 at the protein level and the role of MMP-7 further confirmed by the gene silencing of MMP-7 which also suppressed the invasiveness of BxPc-3 cells. In conclusion, triterpenes from P. cocos demonstrate anticancer and anti-invasive effects on human pancreatic cancer cells and can be considered as new therapeutic agents in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

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.

[#2011-10] Poria Li, Tzu-Hsuan et al. Anti-Hyperglycemic properties of Crude Extract and Triterpenes from Poria cocos

mushroom — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:32:11 +0000

Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties of Crude Extract and Triterpenes from Poria cocos

Tzu-Hsuan Li,^1,2 Chia-Chung Hou,¹ Cicero Lee-Tian Chang,³ and Wen-Chin Yang^1,2,4,5

¹Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica Taipei 115, Taiwan

²Department and Institute of Pharmacology, National Yang-Ming University Taipei 112, Taiwan

³Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University Taichung, Taiwan

⁴Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University Taipei 10617, Taiwan

⁵Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University Taichung, Taiwan

Poria cocos, Bai Fu Ling in Chinese, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. However, its claimed benefits and mechanism are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect and action of P. cocos on type 2 diabetes. We first performed phytochemical analysis on the crude extract and factions of P. cocos. P. cocos crude extract at 50 mg/kg body weight or more significantly decreased blood glucose levels in db/db mice. Based on a bioactivity-directed fractionation and isolation (BDFI) strategy, chloroform fraction and subfractions 4 and 6 of the P. cocos crude extract possessed a blood glucose-lowering effect. Dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and pachymic acid were identified from the chloroform sub-fractions 4, 3, and 2, respectively. Dehydrotumulosic acid had anti-hyperglycemic effect to a greater extent than dehydrotrametenolic acid and pachymic acid. Mechanistic study on streptozocin- (STZ-) treated mice showed that the crude extract, dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and pachymic acid of P. cocos exhibited different levels of insulin sensitizer activity. However, the P. cocos crude extract and triterpenes appeared not to activate PPAR-γ pathway. Overall, the data suggest that the P. cocos extract and its triterpenes reduce postprandial blood glucose levels in db/db mice via enhanced insulin sensitivity irrespective of PPAR-γ.