Amanita Muscaria Research Articles

Prescribed burning in Pinus cubensis-dominated tropical natural forests: a myco-friendly fire-prevention tool

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of two different prescribed burning strategies on ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal species in Pinus cubensis-dominated natural forest.
 Area of study: Yateras Silvicultural Base Business Unit, Guantánamo, Cuba.
 Material and methods: In June 2015, six plots (20 × 50 m) were subjected to forward or back burning. Nine interval samplings (performed 1 week before and up to 120 days after prescribed burning) were undertaken to determine the total number of sporocarps and to evaluate the effect of fire on the soil.
 Main results: Eight ECM species were collected from the study plots. Suillus sp. and Amanita muscaria started fruiting 15 and 60 days after the fire, respectively. Boletus sp., Suillus brevipes, Suillus decipiens, Suillus sp., Amanita muscaria, Lactarius semisanguifluus, Scleroderma stellatum and Pisolithus arhizus were found before and after prescribed burning. Sporocarp numbers showed an increasing trend after fire and significantly recovered 75 days after forward or back burning and were significantly higher 120 days after forward burning compared to unburned plots. The ECM fungal community in the heading fire and the backfire plots did not differ significantly. However, non-metric multidimensional scaling confirmed that ECM composition differed over time. According to a Mantel test, the sampling time after prescribed burning accounted for 64% of the variation in ECM composition, followed by edaphic factors (26%) such as organic matter and Na.
 Research highlights: This preliminary study suggests that low-intensity prescribed burning does not have a negative effect on ECM fungal dynamics in humid tropical forests.

Distribution of amanitine-containing macromycetes in the territory of Russia

Introduction. The toxic effect of amanitin-containing macromycetes, or phalloidin syndrome, is accompanied by low patient survival and it remains as one of the leading causes of urgent liver transplantation. As a result, the problems of biodiversity and the distribution of amanitin-containing fungi leading to this condition appear in a relevant light for toxicology. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, a preliminary list of amanitin-containing macromycetes was compiled by means of a system search in the PubMed database. At the second stage of the study, the presence and occurrence of amanitin-containing taxa in Russia were analyzed. Results. Based on the literature sources and data of the Laboratory of Geography and Systematics of Fungi of the Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, maps of the administrative-territorial occurrences in Russia of twenty-one species of amanitin-containing macromycetes were compiled: five of Amanita, one of Galerina and fifteen of Lepiota. The species concepts of some poisonous taxa and their key identification features were reviewed. The debatable ideas about the toxicity of two Conocybe species are highlighted. Limitations. The study takes into account only the specific occurrence of poisonous fungi in various territories of Russia, without considering the density and frequency of their growth, which may make it difficult to assess the relationship between the data presented and the likelihood of poisoning by the species in question in individual administrative units. Conclusion. As a result of the study, the boundaries of the distribution of poisonous fly agaric and Galerina species were identified, as well as the territories with the highest registered diversity of Lepiota: the Moscow Region and the Primorsky Territory.

Does India have entheomycology traditions? A review and call to research

This article reviews evidence for India’s entheomycological traditions—religious practices using fungi to produce spiritual experiences-- and proposes needed studies. The proposed fungal identity ( Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam.) of the entheogenic Soma and the identities of soma substitutes still lack adequate ethnobotanical studies. Furthermore, the need for entheomycological studies in India is illustrated by the presence of many psychoactive mushrooms and evidence of their possible sacred use in India. Evidence for historical entheomycology is illustrated in: the mushroom stones of Kerala; entheogenic mushroom traditions and mushroom iconography in Buddhism; the mushroom sculptures on the thresholds of the temples of Khajuraho; and results from a pilot interview on cultural history of entheogenic mushrooms in a rural area of Chattarpur near Khajuraho. A review of recent Indian ethnomycology publications provides guidelines for entheomycology research by indicating optimal regional areas, research methods, interview respondents, and language groups for research into India’s mycophilic cultures and elusive entheomycological traditions.

Токсичні синдроми при гострих отруєннях умовно їстівними та отруйними грибами

Актуальність дослідження обумовлена великою кількістю сезонних грибних отруєнь дикорослими отруйними та умовно їстівними грибами на території Київської області, що супроводжується тяжким перебігом отруєння, особливо серед дітей, високими показниками стаціонарної летальності, надзвичайною вартістю та складністю лікування. Метою даного дослідження був обраний аналіз найбільш поширених токсичних синдромів і невідкладних станів, що виникають при отруєнні дикорослими отруйними та умовно їстівними грибами, поширеними на території Київської області. Матеріалом дослідження були обрані випадки гострих отруєнь дикорослими отруйними та умовно їстівними грибами серед дорослого населення м. Києва та області за 1995–2015 рр. (усього 1587 випадків). Усі пацієнти проходили стаціонарне лікування на базі токсикологічного відділення Київської міської клінічної лікарні швидкої медичної допомоги. Проведений ретроспективний аналіз результатів клініко-лабораторного обстеження та лікування пацієнтів. Використовувалися методи дослідження: аналітичний та порівняльного аналізу.За результатами проведеного дослідження встановлено, що залежно від виду грибного токсину, фази гострого отруєння та відповідно до клінічних проявів усі випадки гострих отруєнь дикорослими грибами були розподілені на три групи. Перша група об’єднала випадки отруєння грибами з гастроентеротропною дією; друга — з нейротропною дією; третя — з гепатонефротропною дією. За період дослідження отруєння грибами гепатонефротропної дії становили 15,2 % (242 випадки); гастроентеротропної дії — 81,3 % (1314 випадків); нейротропної дії — 1,9 % (31 випадок). Різноманітність і варіабельність симптомів гострих отруєнь дикорослими грибами обумовлюють необхідність проведення ретельної диференційної діагностики з широким спектром соматичних та інфекційних захворювань. Усі патологічні стани, що трактувались як отруєння грибами, були розподілені наступним чином: отруєння високотоксичними грибами (блідою поганкою та аманітальними мухоморами); токсикоінфекції і ботулізм; гострі отруєння пестицидами, металами, радіонуклідами та іншими токсикантами, що містилися у грибах у надмірно високих концентраціях; гострі та хронічні в стадії загострення захворювання органів черевної порожнини.З огляду на те, що в Україні не проводиться лабораторна ідентифікація грибних токсинів через високу вартість досліджень, відсутність обладнання, складність мікологічної ідентифікації, діагноз «отруєння грибами» повинен базуватися на токсикологічному та епідеміологічному анамнезі, клінічних проявах, клініко-біохімічних даних і результатах допоміжних методів дослідження. У складних для діагностики випадках слід залучати суміжних спеціалістів (неврологів, гастроентерологів, хірургів, інфекціоністів).

The wild non edible mushrooms, what should we know so far?

The world of mushrooms is rich in species of high interest due to their nutritional and pharmaceutical values. However, this world includes also non-edible species, which are not consumed due to being poisonous, of awful smell, or causing some serious gastrointestinal symptoms. Apart from being of no nutritional value, the study of their chemical composition revealed the presence of some biologically active compounds that can be used for medicinal and biological control purposes. Hence, we are focusing on this review on the morphology, and classification of some non-edible mushroom species, including Rhodotus palmatus, Amethyst deceiver, Amanita muscaria, Macrolepiota procera, Scutellinia scutellata, and the genera Panus, Crepidotus, Mycena, together with puffballs mushrooms. Also, we introduced examples of biological activities reported for some of these species, and compounds responsible for such activities.

“Ritual” mushrooms in the traditional culture of the Ob Ugrians

Introduction. In the traditional culture of the Ob Ugrians, certain types of mushrooms have received a special mythological “status” that reveals their place in the traditional picture of the world and explains the power of their impact on humans. The purpose of the study is to present the role of mushrooms in folk medicine and ritual practices of the Khanty and Mansi. These interconnected areas have not been sufficiently studied at the moment, which reflects the relevance of the work. Materials and Methods. The article uses the published data and field materials of the author, as well as folklore sources. The study was carried out on the basis of an interdisciplinary and systematic approach using the structural-functional method. Results and Discussion. In the treatment and cleansing rituals of the Khanty and Mansi, the use of birch tinder fungi has become widespread. Their healing properties have been known since antiquity, since image of the Tree of Life was associated with this tree. Another representative of the mushroom kingdom, the fly agaric, was used sporadically, primarily as a hallucinogenic agent used in ritual practices. The properties of this mushroom allow researchers to make an ambiguous conclusion that the secret of soma, the drink of the gods, lies in the portion made from the fly agaric. Conclusion. Changes in living conditions led to the gradual disappearance of the traditions of folk medicine and ritual practices of the Ob Ugrians, which significantly complicates their study at the present period.

Squirrel consuming “poisonous” mushrooms

The representative toadstool Amanita muscaria plays an important role in maintaining forest ecosystems by forming mutualistic associations with a variety of trees. A muscaria is also known for the poisonous properties of its hallucinogenic constituents, namely, ibotenic acid, muscimol, and muscarin. Serious cases of poisoning in humans may involve deliria, hallucinations, seizures, and (rarely) death. A typical symptom is visual distortion of the size of objects, a phenomenon that formed the basis of the mind-altering events described in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Interestingly, we observed a Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis) routinely feed not only on A muscaria but also on other Amanita species that are also poisonous to humans. This squirrel returned to feed on Amanita fruiting bodies for several days, indicating that it could safely consume the “poisonous” mushrooms. The ecological roles of fungal toxins remain largely unexplored. One possible role is to deter fungivores. However, fungivores are not always disadvantageous to Amanita, because they may disperse intact spores via their digestive tracts. Perhaps Amanita mushrooms facilitate mutualisms with toxin-resistant squirrels, which can disperse viable spores, while deterring toxin-susceptible enemies, which could negatively impact spore survival. If so, potential dispersal of fungal spores by squirrels is analogous to a seed dispersal mutualism, in which a plant offers a reward to an animal as a seed disperser. How do squirrels safely eat Amanita mushrooms? What role do squirrels play in Amanita spore dispersal? How would squirrel-assisted spore dispersal contribute to the establishment of ectomycorrhizal relationships within these ecosystems? These questions warrant further investigation.

An α-D-galactan and a β-D-glucan from the mushroom Amanita muscaria: Structural characterization and antitumor activity against melanoma

Polysaccharides α-D-galactan (GAL-Am) and β-D-glucan (GLC-Am) were obtained from Amanita muscaria fruiting bodies. They were purified using different methodologies, such as Fehling precipitation (for both fractions), freeze-thawing process and ultrafiltration (for GLC-Am). Results showed that the GAL-Am has (1 → 6)-linked Galp main chain branched at O-2 by terminal Galp units and has not been previously reported. Besides, GLC-Am has (1 → 3)-linked Glcp in the main chain, substituted at O-6 by (1 → 6)-linked β-Glcp units. Both are water-soluble, with 9.0 × 103 g/moL and 1.3 × 105 g/moL, respectively. GAL-Am and GLC-Am presented a selective proliferation reduction against B16-F10 melanoma cell line, not affecting non tumoral BALB/3T3 fibroblast cell line. Furthermore, both fractions reduced clonogenic capacity of melanoma cell line over an extended period of time. These results were obtained without modulations in B16-F10 cell adhesion, reinforcing the biological activities towards cell proliferation impairment and eliciting these polysaccharides as promising compounds to further exploration of their antimelanoma properties.

Amanita muscaria: Ecology, Chemistry, Myths

Amanita muscaria is the most emblematic mushroom in the popular representation. It is an ectomycorrhizal fungus endemic to the cold ecosystems of the northern hemisphere. The basidiocarp contains isoxazoles compounds that have specific actions on the central nervous system, including hallucinations. For this reason, it is considered an important entheogenic mushroom in different cultures whose remnants are still visible in some modern-day European traditions. In Siberian civilizations, it has been consumed for religious and recreational purposes for millennia, as it was the only inebriant in this region.

Mercury and selenium in developing and mature fruiting bodies of Amanita muscaria

Both mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) occur in many mushroom species, but the morphological distribution of these elements during different developmental stages of the fruiting bodies is not known. Although Amanita muscaria can be consumed after suitable processing, they are often ignored by mushroom foragers, leaving an abundance for investigative study. Multiple specimens in each of six developmental stages (button to fully mature) were collected in excellent condition during a single morning from the same forested location and composited. With an average of 30 specimens per composite, and low temporal, spatial, and measurement uncertainty, the data are likely to be representative of the typical concentrations of Hg and Se for each developmental stage. Hg (range 0.58–0.74 mg kg-1 dry weight cap; 0.33 to 0.44 mg kg-1 dw stipe) and Se (range 8.3–11 mg kg-1 dw cap; 2.2 to 4.3 mg kg-1 dw stipe) levels were observed to vary during the developmental stages, and the variability may relate to the demands in growth. In common with some other species, the lower stipe concentrations may be consistent with nutrient/contant transport and support functions. Both Hg and Se levels were lowest during periods of maximum sporocarp growth. Selenium occurs at almost an order of magnitude greater levels than Hg. Due to its role in mitigating the effects of Hg toxicity, this property is of significance to those who consume the species either for nutritional, medicinal, or recreational purposes, although the losses of both these elements during processing are not known.

Abstract P-16: Cryo-Electron Microscopy Study of Vesicles from Various Species

Background: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are studied as a natural carrier of functional biomolecules and as a potential system of targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. One of the urgent tasks in this direction is the selection of the carrier with optimal physicochemical parameters and morphology from a variety of plant sources. To date, vesicles from only a few plants were visualized using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Here we investigated the morphology and physical parameters of extracellular vesicles from plant sources not previously studied utilizing this method. Methods: PEVs derived by ultracentrifugation from juice and cultural medium of 11 plants and mushrooms were studied using methods of cryo-EM. Samples were plunge frozen in liquid ethane with Vitrobot Mark IV and examined under cryogenic transmission electron microscope Titan Krios 60-300 (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA) in low dose mode using EPU software. Results: Most of the observed particles in each sample were classified as extracellular vesicles due to the presence of the lipid bilayer. Morphology and size characteristics of PEVs were determined and compared with each other. A variety of morphological configurations of PEVs were found: with single and multiple membranes, with different conformations and integrity state. Most of the isolated PEVs were single, round-shaped, and in a size range from 30 to 150 nm. Conclusion: Cryo-EM allowed us to obtain high-quality images of PEVs isolated from 11 plants and mushrooms (blueberry, chanterelle, cowberry, fly agaric, garlic, redcurrant, chlamydomonas, cucumber, shadberry, viburnum, gooseberry) which have been characterized by their size and morphology. From the data obtained, the most promising sources of vesicles were proposed. The approbation of the selected vesicles as effective delivery systems requires further research.

Types of Mycobiota of Volgograd Region and Prospects of Their Use as a Source of Biologically Active Substances for Cosmetic Purposes

The article for the first time provides a consolidated list of mushrooms of Volgograd region used in cosmetology due to the presence of biologically active substances in their composition, for example, the polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan. These compounds have immunostimulating, radioprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergenic effects. Thanks to this, masks and creams containing these substances tone and restore the skin, while lotions and tonics strengthen the hair structure. The inventory of mycobiota was carried out using the route method. Each route was about 10 km long. The mushrooms found in laboratory conditions were identified by the microscopic analysis of the samples using modern methods of light microscopy and a standard set of chemical reagents (5% KOH alkali solution, Meltzer’s reagent). MIKMED-5 light microscope was used to study the microscopic structures and determine the samples. As a result of research in 2018–2020, 8 species of macromycetes used in cosmetology were identified in the mycobiota of the region: Amanita muscaria (L.), Calvatia gigantea (Batsch) Lloyd, Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst., Grifola frondosa (Dicks.) Gray, Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát, Phallus impudicus L., Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, Tremella mesenterica Retz. Their extracts are widely used in the cosmetic industry by various brands, in particular, Venets Sibiri, Etude House, Sabai Thai Authentic SPA, Briogeo, Dr. Ceuracle, Nollam Lab, D’Ran, Pulanna, BioAqua, Von-U, Secrets Lan, The Skin House. The following species are regularly found in the study area: mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, which grows only on a living tree Quercus robur L.; Trametes versicolor – on stumps, dead trunks and branches of Populus alba L., P. nigra L.; Tremella mesenterica – on dead branches and branches of weakened trees Populus alba, P. nigra.

5-Hydroxymethyl-, 5-Formyl- and 5-Carboxydeoxycytidines as Oxidative Lesions and Epigenetic Marks.

The four non‐canonical nucleotides in the human genome 5‐methyl‐, 5‐hydroxymethyl‐, 5‐formyl‐ and 5‐carboxydeoxycytidine (mdC, hmdC, fdC and cadC) form a second layer of epigenetic information that contributes to the regulation of gene expression. Formation of the oxidized nucleotides hmdC, fdC and cadC requires oxidation of mdC by ten‐eleven translocation (Tet) enzymes that require oxygen, Fe(II) and α‐ketoglutarate as cosubstrates. Although these oxidized forms of mdC are widespread in mammalian genomes, experimental evidence for their presence in fungi and plants is ambiguous. This vagueness is caused by the fact that these oxidized mdC derivatives are also formed as oxidative lesions, resulting in unclear basal levels that are likely to have no epigenetic function. Here, we report the xdC levels in the fungus Amanita muscaria in comparison to murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs), HEK cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to obtain information about the basal levels of hmdC, fdC and cadC as DNA lesions in the genome.

لا يوجد عنوان بالعربي في ملف الطلب على النظام

For many years, the foraging and consumption of wild mushrooms has been practised in different parts of the world. Despite having various health benefits, few mushroom species are known for causing toxicity as well. In forensic casework conditions, samples from mushroom poisoning cases can be found in dried or powdered form. So, it becomes necessary to characterize mushroom species for identification purposes. In the present study, volatile fractions of five wild toxic and edible Amanita mushroom species (Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina, Amanita caesarea, Amanita subglobosa and Amanita porphyria) were analyzed so as to identify compounds for the characterization of selected mushroom species. The obtained volatile fractions were broadly classified into various chemical classes: alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters, nitrogen-containing compounds, ketones and miscellaneous. The following compounds; octadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid (z)-, ethane, 1-chloro-1-fluoro- were the most abundant. The present approach utilizing GC-MS, intends to obtain a fingerprint of each sample for discrimination purposes. Also, this work is the first study on the forensic analysis of methanol-soluble components of Amanita mushroom species from the North-Western Himalaya, India.

Stężenie rtęci w grzybach gatunku koźlarz babka i muchomor czerwony zebranych na terenie Polski

Stężenie rtęci w grzybach gatunku koźlarz babka i muchomor czerwony zebranych na terenie Polski

Physical principles of morphogenesis in mushrooms

Mushroom species display distinctive morphogenetic features. For example, Amanita muscaria and Mycena chlorophos grow in a similar manner, their caps expanding outward quickly and then turning upward. However, only the latter finally develops a central depression in the cap. Here we use a mathematical approach unraveling the interplay between physics and biology driving the emergence of these two different morphologies. The proposed growth elastic model is solved analytically, mapping their shape evolution over time. Even if biological processes in both species make their caps grow turning upward, different physical factors result in different shapes. In fact, we show how for the relatively tall and big A. muscaria a central depression may be incompatible with the physical need to maintain stability against the wind. In contrast, the relatively short and small M. chlorophos is elastically stable with respect to environmental perturbations; thus, it may physically select a central depression to maximize the cap volume and the spore exposure. This work gives fully explicit analytic solutions highlighting the effect of the growth parameters on the morphological evolution, providing useful insights for novel bio-inspired material design.

The Deceptive Mushroom: Accidental Amanita muscaria Poisoning.

Amanita muscaria is one of the most remarkable mushrooms for its distinctive appearance, but sometimes it can be mistaken for edible species.Amanita muscaria is a highly poisonous mushroom; the primary effects usually involve the central nervous system, and in severe poisoning, symptoms may manifest with coma and in rare cases lead to death.The rapid and correct identification of this mushroom is important for optimal risk assessment and in order to prescribe the best therapy.

Determination of the naturally occurring vanadium-complex amavadin in Amanita muscaria with HPLC-ICPMS

The determination of the two isomers of amavadin and other V species in Amanita muscaria with HPLC-ICPMS.

A Method to Quantify Drosophila Behavioral Activities Induced by GABAA Agonist Muscimol.

Muscimol is a psychoactive isoxazole derived from the mushroom Amanita muscaria. As a potent GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol suppresses the activity of the central nervous system, reduces anxiety and induces sleep. We investigated the effects of muscimol on Drosophila behavior. Drosophila behavioral assays are powerful tools that are used to assess neural functions by focusing on specific changes in selected behavior, with the hypothesis that this behavioral change is due to alteration of the underlying neural function of interest. In this study, we developed a comparatively simple and cost-effective method for feeding adult flies muscimol, a pharmacologically active compound, and for quantifying the phenotypes of "resting" and "grooming+walking". This protocol may provide researchers with a convenient method to characterize small molecule-induced behavioral output in flies.

Toxicological and pharmacological profile of Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam. – a new rising opportunity for biomedicine

Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric, is a basidiomycete. Its main psychoactive constituents are ibotenic acid and muscimol, both involved in ‘pantherina-muscaria’ poisoning syndrome. The rising pharmacological and toxicological interest based on lots of contradictive opinions concerning the use of Amanita muscaria extracts’ neuroprotective role against some neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, its potent role in the treatment of cerebral ischaemia and other socially significant health conditions gave the basis for this review. Facts about Amanita muscaria’s morphology, chemical content, toxicological and pharmacological characteristics and usage from ancient times to present-day’s opportunities in modern medicine are presented.