Lucidum Extract Research Articles

Evaluation of the phytochemical, bioactive compounds and descriptive sensory of encapsulated Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) extracts with combined wall materials for masking effect on the perception of off-flavour and bitterness.

Lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is known as a medicinal mushroom that can be utilized in various functional foods available in the market, including powders, dietary supplements, and tea. However, its use is limited due to factors such as bitterness, flavour, and astringency. The objective of this study is to characterize and quantify the sensory profile of Lingzhi mushroom samples (fresh, dried and Lingzhi extracts) using quantitative descriptive analysis and investigate the physicochemical and sensory properties of encapsulated Lingzhi extracts using different ratios of wall material (maltodextrin, gum Arabic and modified starch from rice flour). The optimal ratio for encapsulation involved 32.75% maltodextrin, 42.25% gum Arabic, and 25% modified starch w/w. Three parallel experiments were performed under practical conditions, resulting in average encapsulation efficiencies of 88.39±0.09% for flavonoids 89.53±0.06% for polysaccharides and 0.31± 0.01 of water activity. The sensory descriptive analysis indicated the following ratings: brown sugar aroma (4.36±0.17), earthy aroma (22.04±0.12), nutty aroma (2.00±0.01), fresh mushroom aroma (11.18±0.19), dried Lingzhi aroma (3.08±0.13), black tea aroma (4.50±0.19), salty taste (1.00±0.01), earthy flavour (23.14±0.22) and Mushroomy (after taste) (2.06±0.09), respectively. The flavour identified of Lingzhi extracts and encapsulated by gas chromatography electronic nose (GC-E-Nose). The result showed ten flavour compounds (Acetaldehyde, Methanethiol, Propanal, propane-2-one, Methyl acetate, 2-methyl propanal, Ethyl Acetate, Heptane, 1-Butanamine, 2-methyl butanal, Thiophene). Optimizing the encapsulation conditions has a significant impact on reducing off-flavours and bitterness. Comparing the flavour profiles of Lingzhi extracts with encapsulated Lingzhi extracts using gas chromatography electronic nose (GC-E-Nose). Encapsulation technology represents a burgeoning field that holds immense potential in ensuring the stability of functional ingredients and facilitating their incorporation into instant beverage products.

Ganoderma lucidum extract normalizes the concentration of sialic acids in erythrocytes and blood plasma of rats with experimental metabolic syndrome

Ganoderma lucidum extract normalizes the concentration of sialic acids in erythrocytes and blood plasma of rats with experimental metabolic syndrome

Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles via Ganoderma Lucidum Extract: Structural and Functional Analysis in Polymer Composites.

Metallic nanoparticles are of growing interest due to their broad applications. This study presents the green synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (ZnNPs) using Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom extract, characterized by DLS, SEM, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy analyses. The synthesis parameters, including extract/salt ratio and mixing time, significantly influenced nanoparticle yield, size, and polydispersity, with longer mixing times leading to larger, more varied particles. Specifically, the sizes of ZnNPs synthesized at a 1:1 extract/ZnCl2 ratio after 3 h and 24 h were 90.0 nm and 243.3 nm, with PDI values of 48.69% and 51.91%, respectively. At a 1:2 ratio, the sizes were 242.3 nm at 3 h (PDI: 43.19%) and a mixture of 1.5 nm, 117.4 nm, and 647.9 nm at 24 h (PDI: 2.72%, 10.97%, and 12.43%). Polymer films incorporating PVA, chitosan, and ZnNPs were analyzed for their morphological, spectroscopic, and mechanical properties. Chitosan reduced tensile strength and elongation due to its brittleness, while ZnNPs further increased film brittleness and structural degradation. A comparison of the tensile strength of films A and C revealed that the addition of chitosan to the PVA film resulted in an approximately 10.71% decrease in tensile strength. Similarly, the analysis of films B1 and B2 showed that the tensile strength of the B2 film decreased by 10.53%. Swelling tests showed that ZnNPs initially enhanced swelling, but excessive amounts led to reduced capacity due to aggregation. This pioneering study demonstrates the potential of Ganoderma Lucidum extract in nanoparticle synthesis and provides foundational insights for future research, especially in wound dressing applications.

Incorporating Ganoderma lucidum extract and powder with probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) enhanced the functional, textural, and sensory qualities of yogurt

Incorporating Ganoderma lucidum extract and powder with probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) enhanced the functional, textural, and sensory qualities of yogurt

Improvement of Echinacea purpurea and Ganoderma lucidum Extracts with Cell Model on Influenza A/B Infection.

Since 2019, COVID-19 has been raging around the world. Respiratory viral infectious diseases such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection are also prevalent, with influenza having the ability to cause seasonal pandemics. While vaccines and antiviral drugs are available to prevent and treat disease, herbal extracts would be another option. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of extracts of Echinacea purpurea (EP) and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) and the advanced G. lucidum drink (AG) on influenza A/B viruses. To determine whether EP and G. lucidum extracts enhance cell immunity and thus prevent virus infection or act to directly suppress viruses, cell survival and hemagglutination (HA) assays were used in this study. Cells were treated with samples at different concentrations (each sample concentration was tested from the highest non-cytotoxic concentration) and incubated with influenza A/B for 24 h, with the results showing that both G. lucidum and EP extracts and mixtures exhibited the ability to enhance cell survival against viruses. In the HA assay, AG and EP extract showed good inhibitory effect on influenza A/B viruses. All of the samples demonstrated an improvement of the mitochondrial membrane potential and improved resistance to influenza A/B virus infection. EP and G. lucidum extracts at noncytotoxic concentrations increased cell viability, but only AG and EP extract directly decreased influenza virus titers. In conclusion, results indicate the ability of EP and G. lucidum extract to prevent viruses from entering cells by improving cell viability and mitochondrial dysfunction and EP extract showed direct inhibition on viruses and prevented viral infection at post-infection strategy.

Green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using Ligustrum lucidum extract, and the antioxidant and antifungal evaluation

Biosynthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles using plant extract is an inexpensive, simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly approach to obtaining nanoparticles for biological applications. Herein, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were successfully synthesized using an aqueous extract from Ligustrum lucidum leaves. The structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of the nanoparticles were assessed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometer, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX). Nanocrystalline CuO with an average crystalline size of 22.0 nm and a band gap energy of 1.4 eV were confirmed from the XRD and UV-vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Morphological studies showed spherical nanoparticles, whose particle size estimation (30 ± 5 nm) agrees with the crystalline size deduced from the XRD pattern. A free radical scavenging activity of the CuO nanoparticles, evaluated using the 1, 1-diphenhyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, showed that it exhibited high antioxidant activity (IC50: 63.35 μg ml−1) that is concentration dependent. Antifungal evaluation using four different fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Trichoderma harzianum) indicated a direct relationship between the potency of the particles and their concentration, with 1 ppm solution exhibiting the highest potency. The green synthesized CuO-NPs using Ligustrum lucidum may be potentially used as an antioxidant and antifungal agent for therapeutic applications.

The anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects vary significantly among different recipes containing Ganoderma lucidum extracts

AimsThis study aims to delve into the anti-fatigue and sleep-aiding effects of various formulations containing Ganoderma lucidum extracts. Materials and methodsPGB [incorporating Ganoderma lucidum extract (GE), broken Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GB) and Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium (PH)] and GBS [composed of GE, GB, and Ganoderma sinense powder (GS)] were chosen as representative recipes for this study. Mice were treated with these recipes or key components of Ganoderma lucidum for 14 consecutive days. Subsequently, a weight-bearing swimming experiment was conducted to assess the mice's exhaustion time and evaluate the anti-fatigue properties of the recipes. Sleep-aiding effects were analyzed by measuring the sleep latency and duration. Furthermore, levels of blood lactic acid, serum urea nitrogen, hepatic glycogen, muscle glycogen, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in the livers and muscles. Key findingsThe anti-fatigue abilities of the tested mice were significantly improved after treatment with PGB and their sleep quality improved as well with GBS treatment. PGB treatment for 14 days could significantly prolong the exhaustion time in weight-bearing swimming (from 10.1 ± 0.5 min to 15.2 ± 1.3 min). Meanwhile, glycogen levels in the livers and muscles were significantly increased, while the levels of serum lactic acid, serum urea nitrogen, and MDA in the livers and muscles were significantly decreased. In contrast, mice treated with GBS for 14 days experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, with shortened sleep latency (from 6.8 ± 0.7 min to 4.2 ± 0.4 min), extended sleep duration (from 88.3 ± 1.4 min to 152.5 ± 9.3 min), and decreased muscle MDA levels. These results indicated that Ganoderma lucidum extracts can be used for anti-fatigue and or aid in sleeping, depending on how they are prepared and administered. SignificanceThis study provides experimental evidence and theoretical basis for the development of Ganoderma lucidum recipes that are specifically designed to help with anti-fatigue and sleep.

Ganoderma lucidum extract attenuates corticotropin-releasing hormone-induced cellular senescence in human hair follicle cells

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a key mediator in stress-induced hair growth inhibition. Here, we investigated the impact of stress-induced senescence and evaluated the potential of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract in mitigating CRH-induced senescence in human hair follicle cells (hHFCs). We show that CRH treatment increased the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in hHFCs and suppressed alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and anagen-inducing genes. However, GL extract restored ALP activity and decreased the expression levels of anagen-related genes in CRH-treated hHFCs. It decreased SA-β-GAL activity, reduced ROS production, and prevented the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways in CRH-related stress response. Moreover, GL reversed the CRH-induced inhibition of two-cell assemblage (TCA) elongation and Ki67 expression. GL extract attenuates stress-induced hair follicular senescence by delaying catagen entry and scavenging ROS. Our findings suggest that GL extract could be used for treating stress-induced hair loss.

Effects of Garnoderma lucidum on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Ganoderma lucidum is considered to be a medicinal mushroom, widely used to prevent or treat different types of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and hepatic dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in wistar rats. Methods: Forty (40) male wistar rats were used for this study. Hepatoxicity was induced by oral administration of acetaminophenn (3000 mg/kg of body weight) for the last 21 consecutive days of the dietary of regimen Ganoderma lucidum. These rats were divided into eight cages each containing Five rats. Control Group 1 fed on feed and water only throughout the study, Group 2 received acetaminophen only, Group 3 received Acetaminophen + Standard drug (silymarin), Group 4 received Acetaminophen +100 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucium extract, Group 5 received Acetaminophen + 200 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucidum extract, Group 6 received Acetaminophen + 300 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucidum extract , Group 7 received 100 mg/kg of Ganoderma lucidum extract, Group 8 received Acetaminophen+Standard Drug (silymarin) + 300 mg/kg body weight of Ganderma lucidum extract. Blood samples was collected via cardiac puncture within 24 hours of Sacrifice. The extent of the liver injury was determined by assessing the plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Alpha Feto protein, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total bilirubin (TB), Conjugated bilirubin (CB), Unconjugated Bilirubin (UB), Albumin, Gamma Glutamyl Transaminase (GGT) and total protein (TP) using spectrophotometric method and ELISA as appropriate. Results: Oral administration of Acetaminophen significantly increased the plasma levels of the parameters accessed, suggesting severe liver damage in the rats. However, the treatment of Ganoderma lucidum decreased these hepatotoxic indices at a significant level of P <0.01 for TNF-α, AFP, ALT, AST, UB, TB, GGT and ALP, while Albumin and Conjugated Bilirubin were significantly decreased at a level of (P<0.05) in the Ganoderma lucidum + Acetaminophen-administered group compared to those of the control group. Conclusion: Thus, the results of the present investigation demonstrates that the Ganoderma lucidum provides significant hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in wistar rats.

Comparing application methods of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract in deep-fried meatballs: impact on heterocyclic aromatic amine formation.

The present research was conducted to investigate the impact of reishi mushroom extract (RME) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in meatballs. Sample preparations involved applying RME using either the spreading or addition method, with varying concentrations (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% of RME), followed by deep-frying at temperatures of 150 and 190 °C for 3 min. The types and levels of HAAs varied based on the frying temperature, method of extract application, and the extract concentration. Notably, total HAA contents increased with rising the frying temperature (P < 0.01) and varied from undetectable levels to 4.91 ng g-1 across all analyzed meatballs. The addition method was more effective than the spreading method (P < 0.01), and among the concentrations tested 0.25% RME exhibited the highest efficacy in reducing total HAAs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition method inhibited lipid oxidation more efficiently compared to the surface spreading method (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that RME had mitigating effects on HAAs depending on the concentration and frying conditions in deep-fried meatball samples. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum Extracts on Treating Endometrial Cancer: A Network Pharmacology Approach

Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is a prominent medicinal mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its potent antitumor properties. This study aimed to illustrate the efficacy of GL extracts (GLE) on treating endometrial cancer (EC) and explore the underlying mechanisms via network pharmacology and experimental validation. Network pharmacological analysis was conducted to explore the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of GL on EC. In vitro experimental validation was performed on human endometrial cancer cell lines HEC-1-A and KLE. Network pharmacology revealed that key targets of GL against EC were primarily associated with the Rap1 signaling pathway. In in vitro experiments, GLE or GGTI-298 (a GTPase inhibitor) treatment inhibited cell proliferation and migration, promoted cell apoptosis, increased caspase-3 level, and arrested cell cycle in G1 phase in HEC-1-A and KLE cells. GLE increased the protein expression of Rap1-GTP, p-AKT, and p-ERK2 in HEC-1-A and KLE cells. Moreover, GGTI-298 enhanced the effects of GLE on suppressing the malignant progression of EC cells and on activating Rap1 signaling pathway. GLE inhibited the malignant progression of EC cells probably via activating the Rap1 signaling pathway.

Survival Benefits of Ganoderma Lucidum in Early-stage Triple-negative Breast Cancer: A Real World Study.

Ganoderma lucidum extracts are widely used as adjuvants in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) in China. However, its clinical value in TNBC remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the clinical effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder (GLSP) on prognosis in patients with early-stage TNBC in this study. A total of 388 patients who were diagnosed with TNBC at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from February 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was applied to balance baseline data. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate the relationship between GLSP and prognosis. Of the 388 patients, 72 (18.6%) patients took GLSP. After PSM, 208 patients were selected for analysis, including 71 (34.1%) patients who took the powder. The median followup period was 51 months. The patients who took GLSP (the treatment group) and those who did not take GLSP (the control group) were similar in most clinico-pathological features before being matched. However, the proportion of patients who received breast-conserving surgery in the treatment group was higher (27.8% vs. 16.1%; p =0.021) than in the control group. No significant difference was found in the baseline data between the two groups for the matched cohort (all p >0.05). Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis showed that patients taking GLSP benefited from improved overall survival (OS) (HR=0.159, p = 0.002) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=0.232, p = 0.005) before being matched. The main result of the survival analysis after matching was similar to that described above. Patients in the treatment group achieved both greater OS and DFS benefits than patients in the control group (all p < 0.05). In stratified analysis according to TNM stages, after adjusting for the significant prognostic factors, multivariate analysis revealed that the treatment group had better OS than the control group for patients in stages II and III (HR=0.172, p =0.004). The results of this real-world propensity-score-matched study suggest that GLSP can improve OS and DFS in early-stage TNBC patients. A higher OS was observed for patients taking GLSP, particularly in stage II and stage III.

Oral Administration of Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (Agaricomycetes) Extract Protects Gingival Tissues against Proinflammatory TNF-α and Oxidative Stress in Periodontitis Model Rats.

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been used since ancient times. We studied whether chronic oral administration of G. lucidum extract withstands increases in levels of proinflammatory TNF-α and lipid peroxide (LPO), an indicator of oxidative stress, in the gingival tissues of periodontitis model rats. G. lucidum extract was initially examined for inhibition of in vitro oxidative stress, produced by Fenton's reagents in whole homogenates of fresh gum tissues from rats. Prior to in vivo and in vitro experiments with rats, G. lucidum extract was quantitatively tested for its total polyphenol and/or flavonoid contents and ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radicals. Chronic oral administration of G. lucidum extract (300 mg/kg BW) significantly decreased TNF-α and LPO levels in the gingival tissues of periodontitis model rats. G. lucidum extract also inhibited (P < 0.05) in vitro oxidative stress, as indicated by reduced levels of LPO in G. lucidum extract-preincubated gum tissue homogenates of fresh rats. The in vitro results were, thus, consistent with the in vivo inhibition of lipid peroxidation, DPPH free radical-scavenging effects, and the presence of total polyphenols/flavonoids in G. lucidum extract. Our results provide the evidence, at least partially, for the beneficial effects of G. lucidum on periodontitis, an inflammatory condition of gums which is associated with oxidative stress and preceded by infectious gum diseases.

Ganoderma tuberculosum Liquid Culture With Vineyard Pruning Extracts for Bioactive Composite Production With Antiproliferative Activity.

Ganoderma species have been studied for their pharmacological approaches, such as anticancer, antitumor, antiproliferative, and antioxidant activity. Elicitors are used to increase Ganoderma bioactive composite production. This study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extracts from mycelium of Ganoderma tuberculosum (G. tuberculosum) grown in a liquid medium with vineyard pruning waste (VPW) extracts as elicitors. Ethanolic and aqueous VPW extracts contain resveratrol dimer 4, resveratrol tetramer 1, and naringenin, while toluene and chloroform extracts contain tetradecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and octadecanoic acid. Polar and nonpolar extracts could be promising elicitors for increasing bioactive molecules. Catechin gallate showed the highest correlation (r = 0.66) with biomass. Mycelial ethanolic extracts of G. tuberculosum (native strain from the Sonoran Desert) and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) (control) were analyzed by ESI-IT-MS, and 27 molecules were identified for the two species. They showed antiproliferative activity against the A549 and C-33 A cell lines but not for ARPE-19. G. tuberculosum culture with VPW had quinic acid, ganodermenonol, ganoderic acid I (GA-I), C2 (GA-C2), and 20-hydroxylucidenic acid P, among others. Molecular docking of ganodermenonol, GA-I, and GA-C2 demonstrates significant interaction with tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α). These ethanolic extracts of Ganoderma are promising sources of bioactive triterpenoids. Their antiproliferative activity did not change between species or treatment. Likewise, the G. tuberculosum and G. lucidum extracts only affected cancer cell lines. This property seems promising for pharmacological applications of these fungal extracts.

Green synthesis of silver nanomaterials using Ganoderma Lucidum extract as reducing agent and stabilizer with ultrasonic assistance and application as an antibacterial agent

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant extracts extracted from Ganoderma lucidum in the buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam is a simple, convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly method. This study describes the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in both cases with and without ultrasonic assistance using Ganoderma lucidum extract as a reducing and protective agent. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the as-synthesized AgNPs. Compared to the heating reflux method, the proposed ultrasonic wave assisted heating reflux method produced AgNPs had higher efficiency, smaller and more uniform particle size 6.08 ± 1.80 nm of nm in a short synthesis time period. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of ultrasonically synthesized silver nanomaterials (US-AgNPs) were also investigated. US-AgNPs are important nanomaterials that can find many good applications in practice.

Application of Ganoderma lucidum extract for constructing an oral docetaxel delivery system

Docetaxel is one of the most valuable chemotherapeutic drugs, but it has extremely low oral bioavailability. In this study, an oral docetaxel delivery system was constructed based on the extract of Ganoderma lucidum, a well-known medicinal mushroom. First, a G. lucidum extract-docetaxel complex was prepared by stirring and freeze-drying. Results demonstrated that, compared to the docetaxel group, the exposure levels of docetaxel in the complex group were significantly increased in the mouse portal vein (Cmax, 599.7 vs. 58.5 ng/mL; AUC0–12 h, 631.2 vs. 185.9 ng·h/mL), systemic circulation (Cmax, 310.4 vs. 34.9 ng/mL; AUC0–12 h, 467.6 vs. 124.7 ng·h/mL), liver (Cmax, 431.2 vs. 58.4 ng/g liver; AUC0–12 h, 2007.3 vs. 473.0 ng·h/g liver), and lungs (Cmax, 1711.3 vs. 362.7 ng/g lung; AUC0–12 h, 5188.5 vs. 1329.5 ng·h/g lung). Moreover, in the complex group, except for metabolic stability (p > 0.05), transportation from the mucosal side of gut sacs to the serosal side (p < 0.01), solubility (52.6 vs. 4.2 μg/mL), and release of docetaxel in water were significantly improved (15 min, 5.5% vs. 2.3%; 8 h, 35.0% vs. 15.1%). Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis demonstrated the amorphous existing form of docetaxel. In conclusion, the pharmacokinetics of oral docetaxel in mice was improved by the G. lucidum extract-docetaxel complex, which changed the existing form of docetaxel from crystalline to amorphous. This study provides a simple solution to docetaxel’s low oral bioavailability.

Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extracts ameliorate hepatic fibrosis and promote the communication between metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus through the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGanoderma lucidum, a traditional edible medicinal mushroom, has been widely reported to improve liver diseases as a dietary intervention for people. Ganoderma lucidum extracts, primarily total triterpenoids (GLTTs), are one of the bioactive ingredients that have excellent beneficial effects on hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, its prevention and reversal are particularly critical due to the increasing number of patients with chronic liver diseases worldwide. Aim of the studyThe study aimed to evaluate whether GLTTs had a hepatoprotective effect against hepatic fibrosis through metabolic perturbations and gut microbiota changes and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methodsThe compound compositions of GLTTs were quantified, and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis rats were used to investigate the cause of the improvement in various physiological states with GLTTs treatment, and to determine whether its consequent effect was associated with endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota using UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. ResultsGLTTs alleviated physical status, reduced liver pathological indicators, proinflammatory cytokines, and deposition of hepatic collagen fibers via regulating the NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smads pathways. The untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 16 potential metabolites that may be the most relevant metabolites for gut microbiota dysbiosis and the therapeutic effects of GLTTs in hepatic fibrosis. Besides, although GLTTs did not significantly affect the α-diversity indexes, significant changes were observed in the composition of microflora structure. In addition, Spearman analysis revealed strong correlations between endogenous metabolites and gut microbiota g_Ruminococcus with hepatic fibrosis. ConclusionGLTTs could provide a potential target for the practical design and application of novel functional food ingredients or drugs in the therapy of hepatic fibrosis.

INDUCING THE RESISTANCE AGAINST TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS IN PEPPER USING THE EXTRACTS OF DATURA STRAMONIUM AND GANODERMA LUCIDUM

Pepper plants treated with the same Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) showed no signs and symptoms of disease, in contrast to plants treated with these compounds as a control, which was thought to act as an inhibitory start to the viral infection. This resistance was sparked by the pepper plants' exposure to the TMV virus. Furthermore, the ELISA test findings indicated a wave reaction based on the yellow color that developed in the ELISA plate wells containing the extracts of pepper plants that have been treated with Ganoderma lucidum extract. When compared to the control treatment, which is infected with the virus alone, the wave absorption amount at 405 nm was 0.296 nm, indicating that the highest percentage of virus duplication occurred (69%) after the second week of the G. lucidum treatment and before six days of infection. On the other hand, 58% of the virus was duplicated when the G. lucidum extract was sprayed three days prior to the virus infection, and the wave absorption value was 0.404 nm. The values of wave absorption following splashing with the same extract were 0.612 and 0.598 after three and six days of virus infection, respectively, and the percentages of virus duplication were 37 and 38%. Lastly, it should be emphasized that, rather than using chemical pesticides that are unsafe to use against the causes of plant diseases, more research must be done in the future regarding the extraction of these anti-viral plant extracts as well as extracts of naturally occurring substances that are environmentally friendly.

Regulatory Effects of Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng Extract Formulation on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolomics in Mice.

The bioactivities of Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng have been extensively studied and documented. However, the effects of their complexes on the structural properties of intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolism remain unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to present a preliminary study to shed light on this aspect. In this study, an immunocompromised mouse model was induced using cyclophosphamide, and Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and American ginseng extract formulation (referred to as JGGA) were administered via gavage to investigate their modulatory effects on gut microbiota and fecal metabolism in mice. The effects of JGGA on immune enhancement were explored using serum test kits, hematoxylin-eosin staining, 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing, and UHPLC-QE-MS metabolomics. The findings revealed potential mechanisms underlying the immune-enhancing effects of JGGA. Specifically, JGGA administration resulted in an improved body weight, thymic index, splenic index, carbon scavenging ability, hypersensitivity, and cellular inflammatory factor expression levels in mice. Further analysis demonstrated that JGGA reduced the abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, while increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes. Additionally, JGGA modulated the levels of 30 fecal metabolites. These results suggest that the immune enhancement observed with JGGA may be attributed to the targeted modulation of gut microbiota and fecal metabolism, thus promoting increased immunity in the body.

Assessment of redox homeostasis via genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and NRF-2 in colorectal cancer cell lines after treatment with Ganoderma lucidum extract

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, and Inonotus hispidus fungal extracts on HT-29 and HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell lines and to search the DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by these extracts. Accordingly, mushroom extracts were applied to colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro, and the IC50 result was obtained with the MTT test. According to the IC50 result, Ganoderma lucidum extract had the most effective cytotoxicity value among all used mushroom extracts. TAS, TOS, and NRF-2 tests were used to investigate the molecular effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on oxidative stress; the DNA ladder test was performed to assess DNA damage, the Scratch assay method was applied for cell migration analysis, and the colony assay was used to determine the colony formation potential of the cells. The results showed that Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract reduces cell proliferation, colony formation, and NRF-2, induces DNA damage, slows cell migration, and increases oxidative stress. This study shows that Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract reduces cell proliferation through damaging cellular DNA and has a cytotoxic effect in colorectal cancer cell lines.