Analgesic effects of Marasmius androsaceus mycelia ethanol extract and possible mechanisms in mice

Marasmius androsaceus is a medicinal fungus mainly used to treat various forms of pain in China. This study investigated the analgesic effects of an ethanol extract of M. androsaceus (MAE) and its potential molecular mechanisms. Oral administration of MAE (50, 200, and 1000 mg/kg) had significant analgesic effects in an acid-induced writhing test, a formalin test, and a hot-plate test, with effectiveness similar to tramadol (the positive control drug). The autonomic activity test showed that MAE had no harmful effects on the central nervous system in mice. MAE resulted in significantly enhanced levels of noradrenalin and 5-hydroxytryptamine in serum but suppressed both of these neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus after 30 s of hot-plate stimulation. Co-administration with nimodipine (10 mg/kg; a Ca2+ channel blocker) strongly enhanced the analgesic effect in the hot-plate test compared to MAE alone. Moreover, MAE down-regulated the expression of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the hypothalamus after a 30-s thermal stimulus. These results suggested that the analgesic ability of MAE is related to the regulation of metabolism by monoamine neurotransmitters and Ca2+/CaMKII-mediated signaling, which can potentially aid the development of peripheral neuropathic pain treatments obtained from M. androsaceus.

Experimental research on Immunocompetence of Marasmius androsaceus Polysaccharide in Mice / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To observe the immune regulatory effect of Marasmius androsaceus (MA) polysaccharide in normal mice. Methods The experimental mouse was injected with high,middle,and low dosages of marasmius androsaceus polysaccharide(5,10,20 mg?kg-1?d-1) in the abdomen (i.p.) ,and the comparison group was given the same volume of saline water i.p. once a day. After treatment for 14 consecutive days,the blood cell count instrument was used to measure the mice hemogram,the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage and the ability of carbon granular clearance were observed.,the ability of the spleen lymphocytes proliferation was tested by MTT,and the hemolysin production test was used to evaluate the influence of MA polysaccharide on specific humoral immunity in mice. Results Marasmius androsaceus polysaccharide at middle and high dosages can increase the number of lymphocytes and moncytes in normal reference,enhance the phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophage,promote the carbon granular clearance,accelerate the proliferation of T lymphocyte,enhance the specific humoral imnune function. Conclusion Marasmius androsaceus polysaccharide has certain potentiating effect on the phagocytic function and immunity regulation.