Chemical Components of Phellinus and Antitumor Mechanism： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Malignant tumor poses a threat to human health and life. The incidence and fatality rate of malignant tumor have been on the rise. The currently available therapies are radiotherapy and chemotherapy， which cause severe adverse reactions and irreversible damage and thus influence the quality of life of patients. Therefore， it is urgent to find new， safe and effective antitumor drugs. Chinese medicinals are safe with little adverse reactions and long-lasting effect in the treatment of tumor， which have attracted the attention of scholars. Amid the advancement of medical research， more and more anti-tumor components have been extracted from Chinese medicinals. Phellinus is a valuable Chinese medicinal material， and the chemical components mainly include polysaccharides， flavonoids， triterpenes， and polyphenols， which have anti-inflammatory， hypoglycemic， liver-protecting， and anti-tumor effect. The chemical components of Phellinus can inhibit various malignant tumors such as lung cancer， gastric cancer， colon cancer， and melanoma. It exerts the anti-tumor effect by inhibiting proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells， inducing apoptosis and autophagy of the cells， suppressing tumor angiogenesis， and regulating the immunity. In addition， it can enhance efficacy， reduce toxicity， and boost the sensitivity in the radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this paper， articles were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Web of Science， Pubmed， and Google Scholar with keywords such as "Phellinus， chemical components， and anti-tumor"， and then the chemical components of Phellinus and the anti-tumor mechanisms were summarized. The findings are expected to lays a basis for further development and clinical application of this medicinal.

Antitumor effect and mechanism of different extracts of cultivated Phellinus vaninii on H22 tumor bearing mice / 生物工程学报

In order to explore the antitumor effect and mechanism of different extracts of cultivated Phellinus vaninii fruit body on H22 tumor bearing mice, 150 ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, CTX group, P. vaninii water extract group, ethanol extract group, petroleum ether extract group and crude polysaccharide group. H22 liver cancer cells were used to establish a solid tumor model and the mice were sacrificed on the 10th day after administration. The spleen and thymus organ index and tumor inhibition rate were calculated, the serum levels of TNF-α, INF-γ, VEGF, and hematoxylin-eosin were detected, and the immunohistochemical staining method was used to observe the pathological changes of tumor tissues, while Western blotting was used to detect the expression of tumor-related proteins. The high-dose petroleum ether extract group showed the best tumor inhibition rate (73.21%), increased serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and VEGF, as well as significantly promoted tumor necrosis and ablation. The immunohistochemistry of the water extract group showed negative regulation, indicating an insignificant tumor suppression. Western blotting showed the apoptosis genes Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and pathway genes NF-κB and JAK were all highly expressed in each administration group compared with the model group, and their expression levels gradually decreased with increasing doses. In summary, the petroleum ether extract of P. vaninii fruit body showed a significant anti-tumor effect which is presumably mediated through the mitochondrial pathway. The metabolism of drug in the body induces activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 apoptotic proteins by Bax, Bcl-2, and TNF, which further caused nuclear chromatin or DNA to condense or degrade, and subsequently destroy the normal proliferation of tumor cells, thereby inducing their apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth.

HPLC quantitative analysis of protocatechuic acid contents in 11 Phellinus mushroom species collected in Thailand

Abstract Phellinus mushrooms have been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes. Protocatechuic acid, which was previously reported to be a component in some Phellinus mushrooms, has some pharmacological effects. This study aimed to validate a HPLC method for the quantitative analysis of the protocatechuic acid contents in the extracts from different Phellinus mushroom species collected in Thailand. HPLC was carried out using a C18 column and the gradient mobile phases of 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Method validation was performed to assure the linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantitation of the analytical method. The linearity range of protocatechuic acid was 1 - 10 µg/ml. The average recovery was 104.16%. The method was shown to be precise with the RSD of repeatability and intermediate precision at less than 3%. The protocatechuic contents in 11 Phellinus mushrooms were in the range of less than 0.0099 - 0.4121 %w/w of the extract. The developed HPLC method was reliable and suitable for the quantitative analysis of protocatechuic acid content in Phellinus mushrooms.

Mycetoma caused by Phellinus species: a rare case from Brazil / Micetoma causado por especies de phellinus: un caso raro de Brasil

Abstract Mycetoma is a chronic and slow-developing granulomatous disease characterized by the triad of large painless tumour-like subcutaneous swellings, the formation of sinuses, and discharge that usually contains grains. Phellinus spp. are saprophytic wood-decaying filamentous basidiomycetes. They are an under-recognised cause of invasive fungal infections and are rarely reported worldwide. We report a 59-year-old male patient with mycetoma caused by Phellinus spp. The diagnosis was confirmed with clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, soft tissue and bone biopsy culture, and polymerase chain reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mycetoma due to Phellinus spp. without chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

Resumen El micetoma es una enfermedad granulomatosa crónica y de lento desarrollo caracterizada por la tríada de grandes inflamaciones subcutáneas similares a tumores indoloras, la formación de los senos nasales y secreción que generalmente contiene granos. Phellinus spp. son basidiomicetos filamentosos saprofitos que descomponen la madera. Son un poco reconocido causa de infecciones fúngicas invasivas y rara vez se informan en todo el mundo. Presentamos un paciente masculino de 59 años con micetoma causado por Phellinus spp. El diagnostico se confirmó con examen clínico, estudio de resonancia magnética (RM), cultivo de biopsia de tejido blando y óseo y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. A lo mejor que sepamos, este es el primer caso reportado de micetoma debido a Phellinus spp. sin enfermedad granulomatosa crónica (EGC).

Preliminary study on effect of Phellinus igniarius ethanol extract on serum uric acid metabolism and gut microbiome in rats / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Phellinus igniarius in lowering uric acid and changing the gut microbiome in hyperuricemia rats. A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, positive drug control group, and high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose P. igniarius ethanol extract groups, with 6 rats in each group. Hyperuricemia rats were established by D-fructose combined with oteracil potassium(OAPS). One week later, the positive control group was given allopurinol 50 mg·kg~(-1) intragastrically, and P. igniarius ethanol extract groups were treated with 30, 60 and 90 mg·kg~(-1) drugs for 14 consecutive days. Body weight, blood glucose and serum uric acid(SUA) were monitored every week. After the model rats were administered with the ethanol extracts of P. igniarius by gavage for two weeks, the activities of creatinine, BUN, xanthine oxidase(XOD) and adenosine deaminase(ADA) were detected. The right kidney was taken to analyze the histological and morphological changes and the degree of damage to main organs of the extract of P. igniarius. The 16 S rDNA gene sequence technique was used to analyze the guts microbiota composition in feces. The results indicated that ethanol extract of P. igniarius could significantly lower the SUA level(P<0.01), while inhibiting the activities of XOD and ADA(P<0.05, P<0.01). Histological examination showed that the allopurine group showed slight renal tubular dilation and inflammatory cell infiltration compared with the normal group, with no significant difference between the P. igniarius ethanol extract groups and the normal group. The 16 S sequencing results showed that the composition of gut microbiota has changed in each group. Therefore, ethanol extracts of P. igniarius may reduce the level of SUA in rats by inhibiting the activities of XOD and ADA, with a certain effect on the composition of gut microbiota.

Effects of phellinus igniarius crude polysaccharides on sporting ability and free radical metabolism of skeletal muscle in mice suffering passive smoking / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoke contains a large number of types of oxygen free radicals and cytotoxic components. Passive smoking will impair respiratory and cardiovascular system functions, and result in oxidative damage of skeletal muscle and decreased exercise ability. OBJECTIVE; To investigate the effect of phellinus igniarius crude polysaccharides on the exercise capacity and free radical metabolism of skeletal muscle in mice suffering passive smoking, so as to provide ideas for the prevention and treatment of peroxidative damage of skeletal muscle and depression of exercise capacity in rats suffering passive smoking. METHODS: Twenty-one male Kunming mice were randomly assigned to three groups: Gavage with phellinus igniarius crude polysaccharides and suffering passive smoking (phellinus group), gavage with distilled water and suffering passive smoking (control group), and only gavage with distilled water (blank group). After 4 consecutive weeks, the mice were forced to take an exhausted swimming, and sacrificed subsequently. Exhausted swimming time was recorded. The bilateral gastrocnemius muscle tissues were obtained, in which the vitality of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathion reductase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATP and Na+-K+-ATP activity, and the concentration of malonaldehyde were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The swimming time of mice in the control group was shorter than that in the blank group (P 0.6, P 0.6, P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with the concentration of malonaldehyde (r < -0.6, P < 0.05). (5) In summary, phellinus igniarius crude polysaccharides can improve the antioxidative enzyme activity of skeletal muscle, inhibit lipid peroxidation reaction, and thus increase exercise ability of mice suffering passive smoking. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Jiangxi Normal University, approval No. 201703.

Cloning and expression analysis of PlERG24 gene in ergosterol biosynthesis of Phellinus linteus / 中草药

Objective: To clone the gene full length of ergosterol C14 reductase (ERG24) in Phellinus linteus and analyze its bioinformatics and expression pattern. Methods: The primers of PlERG24 were designed according to the transcription sequence of P. linteus, the cDNA full-length sequence of PlERG24 was obtained by PCR, its bioinformatics was analyzed by Ex PASy and other online analysis software, and its expression pattern in mycelia of P. linteus was analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results: The full-length cDNA of PlERG24 gene was 1 412 bp, which encoding a protein of 441 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 49 358.61 and isoelectric point of 5.28; ERG24 protein was a hydrophobic protein without signal peptide, which was presumably located in the plasma membrane with six phosphorylation sites. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that amino acid sequences of ERG24 in P. linteus were genetically closely related to ERG24 in Sanghuangporus baumii. The qRT-PCR results showed that gene expression of PlERG24 reached the highest level of 6.36 at 25d during the growth cycle of mycelia in P. linteus. Conclusion The full length of PlERG24 gene was obtained, which lays a foundation for further studies on gene function and genetic regulatory mechanism of ergosterol biosynthesis.

Polysaccharide from Phellinus igniarius alleviates oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of polysaccharide from Phellinus igniarius (PPI) in the improvement of oxidative stress, hepatic granuloma and hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum-iniected in mice. Methods The mouse model of schistosomiasis was established by S. japonicum cercariae infection via the abdomen. Balb/c mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups, including the healthy control group (Group A), infection control group (Group B), PPI treatment group (Group C), praziquantel treatment group (Group D) and PPI-praziquantel combination group (Group E), of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in groups B, C, D and E was infected with (30 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae. Then, mice in groups D and E were given praziquantel by gavage at a dose of 500 mg/kg for successive two days on day 42 post-infection, while mice in groups C and E were given PPI by gavage at a dose of 400 mg/kg for successive 30 days on day 42 post-infection. Histopathological changes of hepatic tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) were determined, while the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and glutathione (GSH) were detected in Mouse liver homogenates. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was quantified in hepatic tissues using immunohistochemistry, and the Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Untreated mice presented typical pathological changes of schistosomal hepatic disorders, while PPI treatment effectively alleviated hepatic egg granulomas and collagen deposition. S. japonicum infection resulted in aggravation of hepatic lipid peroxidation, induction of oxidative stress, elevated serum MDA level and a reduction in the activity of GSH and antioxidant enzymes activities in mice. As compared to infected but untreated mice, PPI treatment suppressed hepatic lipid peroxidation, increased the GSH activity and restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, PPI treatment inhibited the TGF-β signaling pathway and up-regulated the Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression. Conclusions PPI plays a critical role in the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. It may improve oxidative stress damages through up-regulating Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression, thereby suppressing the development of hepatic egg granulomas and hepatic fibrosis.

Polysaccharide from Phellinus igniarius alleviates oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum-infected mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of polysaccharide from Phellinus igniarius (PPI) in the improvement of oxidative stress, hepatic granuloma and hepatic fibrosis in Schistosoma japonicum-iniected in mice. Methods The mouse model of schistosomiasis was established by S. japonicum cercariae infection via the abdomen. Balb/c mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups, including the healthy control group (Group A), infection control group (Group B), PPI treatment group (Group C), praziquantel treatment group (Group D) and PPI-praziquantel combination group (Group E), of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in groups B, C, D and E was infected with (30 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae. Then, mice in groups D and E were given praziquantel by gavage at a dose of 500 mg/kg for successive two days on day 42 post-infection, while mice in groups C and E were given PPI by gavage at a dose of 400 mg/kg for successive 30 days on day 42 post-infection. Histopathological changes of hepatic tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) were determined, while the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and glutathione (GSH) were detected in Mouse liver homogenates. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was quantified in hepatic tissues using immunohistochemistry, and the Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Untreated mice presented typical pathological changes of schistosomal hepatic disorders, while PPI treatment effectively alleviated hepatic egg granulomas and collagen deposition. S. japonicum infection resulted in aggravation of hepatic lipid peroxidation, induction of oxidative stress, elevated serum MDA level and a reduction in the activity of GSH and antioxidant enzymes activities in mice. As compared to infected but untreated mice, PPI treatment suppressed hepatic lipid peroxidation, increased the GSH activity and restored the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, PPI treatment inhibited the TGF-β signaling pathway and up-regulated the Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression. Conclusions PPI plays a critical role in the treatment of schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. It may improve oxidative stress damages through up-regulating Nrf2 and Gsta4 gene expression, thereby suppressing the development of hepatic egg granulomas and hepatic fibrosis.

Hyperlipidemic Inhibitory Effects of Phellinus pini in Rats Fed with a High Fat and Cholesterol Diet

This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo hypolipidemic effects of the medicinal mushroom Phellinus pini. The methanol extract (ME) of the fruiting body of Ph. pini was active against pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase with 99.14% and 67.23% inhibited activity at 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. It also inhibited 81.81% and 55.33% of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, respectively, at 2.0 mg/mL. Hyperlipidemia as induced by feeding rats with a high fat and cholesterol diet (HFC). HFC supplemented with a 5% fruiting body powder of Ph. pini (HFC + PhP) significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in rats compared with HFC. The reduced levels were comparable to rats fed the normal control diet (NC). The atherogenic index of HFC + PhP rats was significantly lower than that of the HFC rats. The excretion of fecal total lipid and cholesterol in the HFC + PhP rats was significantly higher than those in the NC and HFC rats. Histopathological examinations demonstrated scant deposition of lipids in the liver of rats fed HFC + PhP. The dietary supplementation with the fruiting body powder provided natural plasma lipid and glucose lowering effects in experimental rats without adverse effects on the plasma biochemical parameters and liver function related enzyme activities. Therefore, the hypolipidemic effects of Ph. pini may be due to the inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase, and excretion of excess lipids and cholesterol in the feces.

Analysis of Antioxidant Activity and Active Components of Phellinus robustus / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antioxidant activities of different extracts from Phellinus robustus (PR) and analyze the active components of the extract with the highest antioxidant activity. METHODS: PR was first extracted by ethanol and then the ethanol extract was sequentially partitioned into four fractions. To determine the antioxidant abilities of different extracts, the contents of total phenols and total flavonoids, scavenging activity on DPPH and ABTS radicals, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation were measured. RESULTS: The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed the highest contents of total phenols and flavonoids and the largest antioxidant capacity, meanwhile, its DPPH radical scavenging activity was comparable to that of the positive control, ascorbic acid (P>0.05). TPC and TFC showed strong positive correlations with FRAP (r2=0.984, P<0.01). Three phenolic acids (protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid) had been isolated and identified from EAF by HPLC-ECD, and anilic acid and caffeic acid were first isolated from PR. CONCLUSION: EAF from PR has strong potential to be a source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant proprieties and a promising source of food and drugs.

Effect of carbon source on production, characterization and bioactivity of exopolysaccharide produced by Phellinus vaninii Ljup

ABSTRACT The effect on different three carbon source (i.e. glucose, fructose and sucrose) on production, chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Phellinus vaninii Ljup was investigated in this study. Amongst carbon sources examined, glucose and sucrose were favorable for the mycelia growth, while the maximum EPS yield was achieved when sucrose was employed. The predominant carbohydrate compositions in EPSs identified were gluconic acid, glucose, mannose and galactose acid. Then, FT-IR spectral analysis revealed prominent characteristic groups in EPSs. EPSs molecule exist as nearly globular shape form in aqueous solution. The variation also affects antioxidant activities by investigated by using hydroxyl and DPPH radical scavenging assay. Sucrose was best carbon source from the viewpoint of antioxidant activity due to the relatively high contents of galactose in the EPS with moderate molecular weight and polydispersity.

Antitumor Effect of Phellinus Linteus Polysaccharide on Sarcoma S180 Cells in vivo and in vitro / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the antitumor effect of phellinus linteus polysaccharide on sarcoma S180 cells in vivo and in vitro. METHODS:Sarcoma S180 cells in logarithmic growth period were selected,adding into 0(blank control),2,4,8 mg/mL phellinus linteus polysaccharide solution and respectively culturing for 12,24,36,48 h. The in vitro proliferation inhibition rate of cells was determined by MTT method;its apoptotic morphology was observed by fluorescence staining and cell apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. S180 tumor-bearing mice models were established and randomly divided into control group,phellinus linteus polysaccharide high-dose,medium-dose,low-dose groups(400,200,100 mg/kg),10 in each group. Model mice were in-tragastrically administrated related medicined,once a day,for 12 d. Mice were executed after 24 h of last administration,tumor weight was determined,tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the tumor suppressor gene PTEN and oncogene C-myc protein expressions in tumor tissue. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,phellinus linteus polysaccharide can increase the proliferation inhibition rate of S180 cells and induce the increase of apoptosis rate(P<0.05 or P<0.01),showing a concentration-time manner. Compared with control group,the tumor inhibition rates in phellinus linteus polysaccharide groups were obviously increased (P<0.01),PTEN protein expressions were strengthened (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and C-myc protein expressions were weakened (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Phellinus linteus polysaccharide shows antitumor ef-fect in vivo and in vitro,which can up-regulate the PTEN,down-regulate C-myc protein expressions.

Ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii protects against diethylnitrosamine- and 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH)-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of sGOT, sGPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN+2-AAF+PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.</p>

Chemical constituents from Phellinus igniarius and their anti-tumor activity in vitro / 中国中药杂志

Eleven compounds were isolated and purified from Phellinus igniarius by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephedax LH-20, RP-8, MCI and preparative TLC. Their structures were identified as 3α-hydroxyfriedel-2-one (1), 3-hydroxyfriedel-3-en-2-one (2), ergosta-4, 6, 8 (14), 22-tetraen-3-one (3), ergosterol peroxide (4), uracil (5), uridine (6), 4-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-butene-2-one (7), protocatechualdehyde (8), inotilone (9), inoscavinA (10) and phellibaumin E (11), respectively, on the basis of NMR and MS data analysis. Among them, compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 were firstly obtained from this genus. In vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-11 was screened by Cell Titer-GLo Reagent, on 41 human tumor cell strains and 2 hamster normal cell strains via high-throughput screening. Compounds 2-4 exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against NOMO-1 and SKM-1 acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, and compounds 2 and 3 showed good selectivity to NOMO-1 with IC₅₀ values of 0.795 5, 1.828 μmol•L-1and SKM-1 with IC₅₀ values of higher than 10 μmol•L-1. Compound 7 showed remarkable antitumor activities against H526 Human lung cancer cell line, DU145 prostate cancer cell line and HEL erythroleukemia cell line with IC₅₀ values of 0.533 4, 1.885, 1.057 μmol•L⁻¹, respectively. Other compounds had no or weak antitumor effect. In addition, all compounds had no significant effect on hamster normal cell lines CHL and CHO with IC₅₀ values of higher than 10 μmol•L⁻¹, which showed that all compounds had no toxic effect on normal cells.

Synergistic Anti-bacterial Effects of Phellinus baumii Ethyl Acetate Extracts and beta-Lactam Antimicrobial Agents Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: The development of new drugs or alternative therapies effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of great importance, and various natural anti-MRSA products are good candidates for combination therapies. We evaluated the antibacterial activities of a Phellinus baumii ethyl acetate extract (PBEAE) and its synergistic effects with beta-lactams against MRSA. METHODS: The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the PBEAE. The PBEAE synergistic effects were determined by evaluating the MICs of anti-staphylococcal antibiotic mixtures, with or without PBEAE. Anti-MRSA synergistic bactericidal effects of the PBEAE and beta-lactams were assessed by time-killing assay. An ELISA was used to determine the effect of the PBEAE on penicillin binding protein (PBP)2a production. RESULTS: The MICs and MBCs of PBEAE against MRSA were 256-512 and 1,024-2,048 microg/mL, respectively. The PBEAE significantly reduced MICs of all beta-lactams tested, including oxacillin, cefazolin, cefepime, and penicillin. However, the PBEAE had little or no effect on the activity of non-beta-lactams. Time-killing assays showed that the synergistic effects of two beta-lactams (oxacillin and cefazolin) with the PBEAE were bactericidal in nature (Deltalog10 colony forming unit/mL at 24 hr: 2.34-2.87 and 2.10-3.04, respectively). The PBEAE induced a dose-dependent decrease in PBP2a production by MRSA, suggesting that the inhibition of PBP2a production was a major synergistic mechanism between the beta-lactams and the PBEAE. CONCLUSIONS: PBEAE can enhance the efficacy of beta-lactams for combined therapy in patients infected with MRSA.

An Antioxidant Davallialactone from Phellinus baumii Enhances Sperm Penetration on In Vitro Fertilization of Pigs

Davallialactone (DAVA) is a hispidin analogue derived from the medicinal fungus Phellinus baumii. We examined the effect of DAVA on in vitro fertilization (IVF) of pigs. Boar spermatozoa were incubated in fertilization medium with varying concentrations of DAVA, then sperm motility and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were evaluated. Higher sperm motility was found following the addition of 0.5 or 1 µM DAVA after incubation than addition of other concentrations or controls. ROS level decreased significantly with the addition of DAVA. The rate of normal fertilization was higher in the presence of 1 µM DAVA (65.1%) than were those of other concentrations or controls (45.4~59.4%), and the highest total fertilization rate (mono- and polyspermic oocytes) was observed at 1 µM DAVA (83%). In conclusion, addition of DAVA to fertilization medium improved sperm motility, and reduced ROS level so as to potentially improve sperm-oocyte binding in IVF, suggesting the potential of a compound isolated from mushrooms in assisted reproductive technology for humans and animals.

Neuraminidase Inhibitors from the Fruiting Body of Phellinus igniarius

During our ongoing investigation of neuraminidase inhibitors from medicinal fungi, we found that the fruiting bodies of Phellinus igniarius exhibited significant inhibitory activity against neuraminidase from recombinant H3N2 influenza viruses. Two active compounds were isolated from the methanolic extract of P. igniarius through solvent partitioning and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The active compounds were identified as phelligridins E and G on proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and electrospray ionization mass measurements. These compounds inhibited neuraminidases from recombinant rvH1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 influenza viruses, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.7~8.1 µM.

Chemical Constituents of the Culture Broth of Phellinus linteus and Their Antioxidant Activity

The medicinal fungus Phellinus linteus, in the family Hymenochaetaceae, has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, the chemical constituents of the culture broth of P. linteus were investigated. P. linteus was cultured in potato dextrose broth medium, and the culture broth was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate-soluble portion was concentrated and subjected to ODS column chromatography, followed by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Six compounds (1~6) were purified by preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Spectroscopic methods identified their structures as caffeic acid (1), inotilone (2), 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one (3), phellilane H (4), (2E,4E)-(+)-4'-hydroxy-gamma-ionylideneacetic acid (5), and (2E,4E)-gamma-ionylideneacetic acid (6). Compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibited potent dose-dependent antioxidant activity.

Chemical constituents from Phellinus robustus / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To determine the chemical constituents of Phellinus robustus. METHODS: Some chromatographic methods were used to isolate the chemical constituents of this mushroom. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data. RESULTS: Fourteen compounds were identified as: protocatechuic aldehyde (1), protocatechuic acid (2), coumarin (3), scopolin (4), (22E, 24R)-ergosta-7, 22-diene-3β-ol(5), 5α, 8α-epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3β-ol(6), 3β-hydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-5, 7, 22-triene(7), β-sitosterol(8), ergosta-4, 6, 8 (14), 22-tetraen-3-one (9), (22E, 24R) -ergosta-7, 22-dien-3β, 5α, 6β-triol(10), daucosterin(11), palmitic acid(12), D-allitol(13) and phelligridin D(14). CONCLUSION: All the fourteen compounds are isolated from Phellinus robustus for the first time.