Abstract
BackgroundDrugs dedicated to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have always been associated with debilitating side effects. Medicinal mushrooms which harness neuropharmacological compounds offer a potential possibility for protection against such diseases. Pleurotus giganteus (formerly known as Panus giganteus) has been consumed by the indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia for many years. Domestication of this wild mushroom is gaining popularity but to our knowledge, medicinal properties reported for this culinary mushroom are minimal.MethodsThe fruiting bodies P. giganteus were analysed for its nutritional values. Cytotoxicity of the mushroom’s aqueous and ethanolic extracts towards PC12, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line was assessed by using 3-[4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Neurite outgrowth stimulation assay was carried out with nerve growth factor (NGF) as control. To elucidate signaling mechanisms involved by mushroom extract-induced neurite outgrowth, treatment of specific inhibitor for MEK/ERK and PI3K signalling pathway was carried out.ResultsThe fruiting bodies of P. giganteus were found to have high carbohydrate, dietary fibre, potassium, phenolic compounds and triterpenoids. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in a dose- and time-dependant manner with no detectable cytotoxic effect. At day 3, 25 μg/ml of aqueous extract and 15 μg/ml of ethanolic extract showed the highest percentage of neurite-bearing cells, i.e. 31.7 ± 1.1% and 33.3 ± 0.9%; respectively. Inhibition treatment results suggested that MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt are responsible for neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells stimulated by P. giganteus extract. The high potassium content (1345.7 mg/100 g) may be responsible for promoting neurite extension, too.ConclusionsP. giganteus contains bioactive compounds that mimic NGF and are responsible for neurite stimulation. Hence, this mushroom may be developed as a nutraceutical for the mitigation of neurodegenerative diseases.
Highlights
Drugs dedicated to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have always been associated with debilitating side effects
Rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell line was purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; Rockville, MD, USA; Catalogue Number: CRL-1721.1TM). [3-[4,5dimethythiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT), phosphate buffered saline (PBS), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), F-12 K medium (Kaighn’s Modification of Ham’s F-12 Medium), nerve growth factor (NGF)-7 S from murine submaxillary gland, MEK inhibitor (U0126, PD98059), and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) were obtained from Sigma Co
The effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. giganteus on PC12 cell viability MTT assay was performed to determine the degree of cytotoxicity of P. giganteus extracts in PC12 cell
Summary
Drugs dedicated to alleviate neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s have always been associated with debilitating side effects. Pleurotus giganteus (formerly known as Panus giganteus) has been consumed by the indigenous people in Peninsular Malaysia for many years Domestication of this wild mushroom is gaining popularity but to our knowledge, medicinal properties reported for this culinary mushroom are minimal. The second most common neurodegenerative syndrome, Parkinson's disease is characterised by the classic symptoms of tremors, rigidity and gait impairment [2] Medications to alleviate these neurodegenerative diseases can only provide benefits for several years but are not effective as the diseases progress [3]. Some undesired side effects associated with these drugs include hallucinations, dyskinesia, nausea and constipation [2,3] In this regard, complementary and alternative medicine which is gaining momentum may be a promising way for prevention and protection against such neurodegenerative diseases [4]
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