In vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of Ganoderma lucidum extracts.

OBJECTIVE: Ganoderma extracts have the potential to be used as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, and antimicrobial agents, as evaluated in numerous studies. This study was aimed to determine the lethal and inhibitory effects of aqueous, hydroalcoholic, and alcoholic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum on Toxoplasma gondii RH strain tachyzoites, in vitro. RESULTS: All three types of extracts showed toxoplasmacidal effects. The highest percentage of mortality was related to hydroalcoholic extract. The EC50 of Ganoderma extracts for tachyzoites were 76.32, 3.274, and 40.18 for aqueous, hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extracts, respectively. The selectivity index obtained for hydroalcoholic extract was 71.22, showing the highest activity compared to other extracts. According to our findings, the hydroalcoholic part was the most effective substance among the extracts. This basic study showed obvious anti-toxoplasma effect of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. These extracts can be used as candidates for further in-depth and comprehensive studies especially In vivo experiments to prevent toxoplasmosis.

Investigating the effects of quercetin fatty acid esters on apoptosis, mechanical properties, and expression of ERK in melanoma cell line (A375).

AIMS: Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most fatal skin cancer with a critical increase in the number of cases in the last decades. Recent studies have shown the antitumor potential of active biological phytochemical structures of flavonoids for the prevention and treatment of cancerous cells. In this study, two quercetin fatty acid esters (α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA)) compounds were evaluated in terms of inducing apoptotic human melanoma cells (A375) death in vitro. MAIN METHODS: The MTT assay was utilized for comparing the effects of quercetin, ALA, and LA on A375 cell viability concentrations of 5, 25, 35, 50, and 100µg/mL for 24 and 48 h to obtain IC50. To detect the effects on apoptosis and to determine p-ERK/ERK apoptosis-related signaling pathway proteins level, flow-cytometry and western blot were used. Finally, the nano-mechanical properties of the melanoma A375 membrane structure containing elastic modulus value and cell-cell adhesion forces were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Statistical data was analyzed in GraphPad v.8.0.0. KEY FINDINGS: The most significant A375 cell viability amplified effect of Q-LA was observed with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 35 µg/mL, 48 h), proportional to dose. Ester compounds, especially Q-LA, showed the highest cell proliferation inhibition with improved elastic modulus, cell-cell adhesion forces (253 ± 11.2), and elevated apoptosis-inducing effect (p < 0.01**). Moreover, Q-LA significantly decreased the mean levels of p-ERK phosphorylation (0.1439) and, subsequently, apoptosis in A375 cells. SIGNIFICANCE: The data presented in this study confirmed the antitumor activity of ester compounds against A375 cells, high-lighting the ability of the tested compounds to induce apoptosis.