Abstract
Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) B.K. Cui, M.L. Han & Y.C. Dai has been used for medicinal purposes for over 5000 years. Numerous studies have confirmed the biological activity of compounds found in this species. The purpose of this study was a comparative analysis of selected groups of metabolites in the extracts from fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures. Phenolic acids (syringic, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic), indole compounds (l-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, 5-methyltryptamine), sterols (ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, hexestrol, cholecalciferol), and triterpenes (betulinic acid, betulin) were determined quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography with UV–Vis/DAD detection, while fatty acids were assessed with the gas chromatography method. Cytotoxic activity against selected human cancer cell lines was determined using the lactate dehydrogenase test. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on lipopolysaccharide activated A549 cells. Those extracts with anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated for their inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes. The mycelium extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cells, while the fruiting body extract indicated a moderate effect on the viability of melanoma and prostate cancer. Incubation of lung epithelial cells with biomass extract significantly decreased cyclooxygenase-2 levels compared to LPS activated A549 cells. This paper is the first report of a comparative quantitative analysis of the metabolites in mycelial cultures and fruiting bodies. In addition, a novel element of this study is its comparison of the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity of the obtained extracts. The results of comparing the composition and activity of mycelium and fruiting bodies shows that the cultures could be proposed as a potential biotechnological source for selected biologically active compounds.
Highlights
Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) BK Cui, ML Han and YC Dai [formerly Piptoporus betulinus Bull
The main advantage of mycelial cultures is their independence from environmental conditions and their ability to continuously produce high-quality material; there may be differences in the chemical composition of mycelium and fruiting bodies [7]
Differences in the content of bioactive compounds in fruiting bodies derived from natural sites may result from genetic differences between populations, and from different habitats and environmental conditions during growth and development
Summary
Fomitopsis betulina (Bull.) BK Cui, ML Han and YC Dai [formerly Piptoporus betulinus Bull. Ethanol-acetate extract and single triterpene derivatives of lanostane exhibit anti-inflammatory activity [5]. Another documented effect is its antioxidant activity and the ability to inhibit hyaluronidase, an enzyme depolymerizing hyaluronic acid and causing the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, which is used in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease [6]. An alternative method to obtain secondary metabolites with therapeutic properties from fruiting bodies is to use the biosynthetic capability of mycelial cultures. The main advantage of mycelial cultures is their independence from environmental conditions and their ability to continuously produce high-quality material; there may be differences in the chemical composition of mycelium and fruiting bodies [7]
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