Fresh Fruiting Bodies Research Articles

The anti‐tumor effect of Ganoderma Lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes

The present study was to ascertain the immunomodulating and anti-tumor effects of Ganoderma (G.) lucidum. Polysaccharides (PS) from fresh fruiting bodies of G. lucidum (PS-G) were isolated and used to potentiate cytokine production by human monocytes-macrophages and T lymphocytes. Our results had shown that the levels of interleukin (IL)-Iβ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 in macrophage cultures treated with PS-G (100 μg/ml) were 5.1-, 9.8- and 29-fold higher, respectively, than those of untreated controls. In addition, the release of interferon (IFN)-γ from T lymphocytes was also greatly promoted in the presence of PS-G (25–100 μ/ml). Furthermore, these cytokine-containing mononuclear cell-conditioned media (PSG-MNC-CM) were found to suppress the proliferation and clonogenicity of both the HL-60 and the U937 leukemic cell lines. DNA labeling and gel electrophoresis showed that treatment with PSG-MNC-CM markedly induced leukemic-cell apoptosis. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed that few (2.3 ± 0.8%) apoptotic cells were seen in the control cultures, while PSG-MNC-CM treatment resulted in a significant increase in the apoptotic population both in the HL-60 (38.3 ± 4.5%) and in the U937 (44.5 ± 3.8%) cells. In addition, 40 to 45% of the treated leukemic cells were triggered to differentiate into mature monocytic cells expressing CD14 and CD68 surface antigens. However, PS-G alone had no such effects even at a higher dose of 400 μg/ml. Since untreated macrophages and T lymphocytes produced little or no cytokine, and normal MNC-CM did not suppress leukemic cell growth, it was suggestive that the anti-tumor activity of PSG-MNC-CM was derived from the elevated levels of cytokines. Antibody-neutralization studies further revealed that the anti-tumor cytokines in the PSG-MNC-CM were mainly of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and these 2 cytokines acted synergistically on the inhibition of leukemic-cell growth. Int. J. Cancer 70:699–705, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The anti-tumor effect of Ganoderma lucidum is mediated by cytokines released from activated macrophages and T lymphocytes.

The present study was to ascertain the immunomodulating and anti-tumor effects of Ganoderma (G.) lucidum. Polysaccharides (PS) from fresh fruiting bodies of G. lucidum (PS-G) were isolated and used to potentiate cytokine production by human monocytes-macrophages and T lymphocytes. Our results had shown that the levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha, and IL-6 in macrophage cultures treated with PS-G (100 micrograms/ml) were 5.1-, 9.8- and 29-fold higher, respectively, than those of untreated controls. In addition, the release of interferon (IFN)- gamma from T lymphocytes was also greatly promoted in the presence of PS-G (25-100 micrograms/ml). Furthermore, these cytokine-containing mononuclear cell-conditioned media (PSG-MNC-CM) were found to suppress the proliferation and clonogenicity of both the HL-60 and the U937 leukemic cell lines. DNA labeling and gel electrophoresis showed that treatment with PSG-MNC-CM markedly induced leukemic-cell apoptosis. Flow-cytometric analysis revealed that few (2.3 +/- 0.8%) apoptotic cells were seen in the control cultures, while PSG-MNC-CM treatment resulted in a significant increase in the apoptotic population both in the HL-60 (38.3 +/- 4.5%) and in the U937 (44.5 +/- 3.8%) cells. In addition, 40 to 45% of the treated leukemic cells were triggered to differentiate into mature monocytic cells expressing CD14 and CD68 surface antigens. However, PS-G alone had no such effects even at a higher dose of 400 micrograms/ml. Since untreated macrophages and T lymphocytes produced little or no cytokine, and normal MNC-CM did not suppress leukemic cell growth, it was suggestive that the anti-tumor activity of PSG-MNC-CM was derived from the elevated levels of cytokines. Antibody-neutralization studies further revealed that the anti-tumor cytokines in the PSG-MNC-CM were mainly of TNF- alpha and IFN- gamma, and these 2 cytokines acted synergistically on the inhibition of leukemic-cell growth.

Antiviral Activity of Homobasidiomycetes: Evaluation of 121 Basidiomycetes Extracts on Four Viruses

Extracts prepared from fresh fruiting bodies of 121 Basidiomycetes species were tested for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex (type 1 and type 2), polio and vesicular stomatitis viruses. 11% of extracts tested were found to inhibit one or more of these viruses. The active species were more commonly distributed in Tricholomatales and Cortinariales than in Russulales and Boletales.

Cultivation of fungi on sugar cane biomass

The possibility of cultivation of fungi on sugar cane waste (leaves and stalk tops) was tested. Having been crushed, macerated and heated, this material becomes a suitable substrate for cultivation of oyster mushrooms. Selected hybrids ofPleurotus ostreatus × P. ostreatus form Florida rapidly colonized the substrate and, in the first phase, yielded more than 10% of fresh fruiting bodies per initial mass of the wet substrate, which is considered, to be the efficiency limit of this technology. The growth cycle in Cuba is shorter than in Europe. Under the tested temperature and light conditions in Cuba, all strains formed white fruiting bodies, as compared to a multicolored variety developed in Czechoslovakia. Some of the newly obtained hybrids were found to have better properties than the original production strains. Hybrids of Cuban origin should be prepared. Besides common, well-known pests, several species of ants damage the cultures of oyster mushrooms.

Pigments of fungi. Part 12. Structure and absolute stereochemistry of antibiotic tetrahydroanthraquinones from the fungus Dermocybe splendida Horak. X-Ray structure determination of austrocortirubin phenylboronate and austrocortilutein acetonide

(1S,3S)-(+)-Austrocortirubin (6), (1S,3S)-(+)-austrocortilutein (8) and (1S,3R)-(+)- austrocortilutein (10) have been isolated from fresh fruit bodies of the fungus Dermocybe splendida and their structures established by chemical, spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic methods. Absolute stereochemistry has been established by chemical correlation with (2R)-methyl 2-(2′-methyl-5′-oxotetrahydrofuryl)acetate (27) and confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the acetonide derivative (23) of (1S,3S)-austrocortilutein. The tetrahydroanthraquinones (6), (8) and (10) are active at low concentration against a range of bacteria and fungi.

Molecular species of cerebrosides in fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes and their biological activity

Cerebroside fraction was obtained from fresh fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes and separated into ten molecular species by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The species were identified by GLC, GC-MS and NMR. Their component glycosides and sphingoids were uniformly glucose and (4 E,8 E)-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine, respectively. The component fatty acids were 2-hydroxy acids with the carbon chain length of 16, 15, 14, 18, 24, 17, 25, 26, 22 and 23 (from major to minor). The cerebrosides with the C 14–18 fatty acids showed strong fruiting-inducing activity in Schizophyllum commune. Those with the C 22 and C 23 ones had one-eighth and one-sixteenth of the activity, respectively, and those with C 24–26 had no detectable activity. 22 and 23 must be the carbon chain lengths of the component fatty acid of the sphingolipids critical for expression of biological activity.

Ergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol glycoside from Tylopilus neofelleus

A new glycoside of ergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol was isolated from the fresh fruit body of Tylopilus neofelleus and its structure was established by chemical and spectroscopic means. Basidiomycetes produce many ergosterol analogues, but the presence of the glycoside of an ergosterol derivative is the first finding from a natural source.

Enzyme-catalized Evolution of Lenthionine from Lentinic Acid

Protein fraction, prepared from fresh fruiting bodies of shiitake mushroom, is found capable of converting lentinic acid to lenthionine, the principal aroma-bearing substance of the mushroom. A simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics is also valid for the reaction. The reaction products identified, besides lenthionine and unidentified compounds, are glutamic acid, pyrubic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Two different kinds of enzyme are envisaged to participate in the reaction; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase removing glutamyl moiety from lentinic acid, and pyridoxal phosphate dependent s-alkyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide lyase acting next on the resultant intermediate to produce an unstable intermediate which is then converted spontaneously to polythiepanes. A reaction pathway is proposed for lenthionine evolution from lentinic acid based on the experimental evidences obtained in this and other papers.

Enzyme-catalized Evolution of Lenthionine from Lentinic Acid

Protein fraction, prepared from fresh fruiting bodies of shiitake mushroom, is found capable of converting lentinic acid to lenthionine, the principal aroma-bearing substance of the mushroom. A simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics is also valid for the reaction. The reaction products identified, besides lenthionine and unidentified compounds, are glutamic acid, pyrubic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Two different kinds of enzyme are envisaged to participate in the reaction; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase removing glutamyl moiety from lentinic acid, and pyridoxal phosphate dependent s-alkyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide lyase acting next on the resultant intermediate to produce an unstable intermediate which is then converted spontaneously to polythiepanes. A reaction pathway is proposed for lenthionine evolution from lentinic acid based on the experimental evidences obtained in this and other papers.

Longevity of Schizophyllum commune

IN October 1909 the late A. H. R. Buller collected at Winnipeg fresh fruit-bodies of the xerophytic agaric Schizophyllum commune Fr. and placed them in his laboratory. On December 10, 1910, a number of whole or part pilei were sealed in glass tubes in a vacuum of less than 0·1 mm. pressure of mercury, and stored in the dark at room temperature1,2. His notes, found recently at Kew with the remaining tubes, show that he planned to test the vitality of the fungus after 1 week, 6 weeks, 4 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15 and 25 years. Tradition and experience rate the life of a mushroom as short. Actually, he opened only four tubes: the fungus revived after 1 week, 3½ months, 16½ months; and after 19 months, the last three weeks of which were spent at the temperature of liquid air, as noted below.