Research Progress on the Function and Application of Proteins of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms: A Review.

We reviewed previous studies on the function of edible and medicinal mushroom proteins and then summarized their application in nutrition, medicine, agriculture, and industry. Meanwhile, we put forward the current problems existing in the research on mushroom proteins and propose directions for further research on the development and utilization of mushroom proteins.

Ginsenoside Rb2: A review of pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects.

Ginsenoside Rb2 is an active protopanaxadiol-type saponin, widely existing in the stem and leave of ginseng. Rb2 has recently been the focus of studies for pharmaceutical properties. This paper provides an overview of the preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetics for Rb2, which exhibit poor absorption, rapid tissue distribution and slow excretion through urine. Pharmacological studies indicate a beneficial role of Rb2 in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, obesity, tumor, photoaging, virus infection and cardiovascular problems. The underlying mechanism is involved in an inhibition of oxidative stress, ROS generation, inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of various cellular signaling pathways and molecules, including AKT/SHP, MAPK, EGFR/SOX2, TGF-ß1/Smad, SIRT1, GPR120/AMPK/HO-1 and NF-κB. This work would provide a new insight into the understanding and application of Rb2. However, its therapeutic effects have not been clinically evaluated. Further studies should be aimed at the clinical treatment of Rb2.

Antioxidant Activity and Probiotic Proliferation and Acidifying Activity of Intracellular Polysaccharides from the Shaggy Ink Cap Medicinal Mushroom, Coprinus comatus (Agaricomycetes), under Optimal Polysaccharide Synthase Activity.

For the first time, polysaccharide synthase activity was used as the cut-in condition in this study and the fermentation conditions of Coprinus comatus intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) were further optimized. The optimal conditions were 23.65 g/L of carbon source, 47.44 g/L of nitrogen source, and pH 5.73. C. comatus IPS was obtained under the optimal conditions and its antioxidant properties were evaluated. Next, in vitro proliferation and Lactobacillus rhamnosus acidifying activity were assessed. IPS had good antioxidant properties and could promote the growth and acid production of probiotics. The antioxidant properties and probiotic proliferation and acidifying activity of IPS were improved to a certain extent under the optimal conditions. Thus, our findings contribute to establishing a novel fermentation process that can produce IPS with better performance. Meanwhile, IPS has great application potential in medicine.

Ginseng polysaccharides: A potential neuroprotective agent.

The treatments of nervous system diseases (NSDs) have long been difficult issues for researchers because of their complexity of pathogenesis. With the advent of aging society, searching for effective treatments of NSDs has become a hot topic. Ginseng polysaccharides (GP), as the main biologically active substance in ginseng, has various biological properties in immune-regulation, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and etc. Considering the association between the effects of GP and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, many related experiments have been conducted in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed previous studies about the effects and mechanisms of GP on diseases related to nervous system. We found GP play an ameliorative role on NSDs through the regulation of immune system, inflammatory response, oxidative damage and signaling pathway. Structure-activity relationship was also discussed and summarized. In addition, we provided new insights into GP as promising neuroprotective agent for its further development and utilization.

Study on Transformation of Ginsenosides in Different Methods.

Ginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine and has the extensive pharmacological activity. Ginsenosides are the major constituent in ginseng and have the unique biological activity and medicinal value. Ginsenosides have the good effects on antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and inhibition of the cell apoptosis. Studies have showed that the major ginsenosides could be converted into rare ginsenosides, which played a significant role in exerting pharmacological activity. However, the contents of some rare ginsenosides are very little. So it is very important to find the effective way to translate the main ginsenosides to rare ginsenosides. In order to provide the theoretical foundation for the transformation of ginsenoside in vitro, in this paper, many methods of the transformation of ginsenoside were summarized, mainly including physical methods, chemical methods, and biotransformation methods.

Isolation and biological activity of triglycerides of the fermented mushroom of Coprinus Comatus.

BACKGROUND: Although many physiological functions of Coprinus comatus have been reported, there has been no report on the antinociceptive activity of Coprinus comatus. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to demonstrate the production, isolation, and biological properties of triglycerides (TFC) of the fermented mushroom of Coprinus comatus. METHODS: The effects of TFC on cytokines levels, total antioxidant activity, antinociceptive effects in vivo, LD50 and tactile hyperalgesia were analyzed respectively. RESULTS: TFC treatment decreased the levels of cytokines and total antioxidant status (TAOS) and inhibited the acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in mice. In addition, TFC reduced CFA-induced tactile hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner and the LD50 of TFC was determined to be 400 mg/kg. However, TFC did not significantly inhibit the reaction time to thermal stimuli in the hot-plate test. CONCLUSIONS: TFC showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, peripheral antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic activity in various models of inflammatory pain. The data suggest that TFC may be a viable treatment option for inflammatory pain.

Anti-inflammation effects of Sophora flavescens nanoparticles.

The roots of Sophora flavescens was reported to possess many pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antiashmatic, antithelmintic, free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities. However, the low saturated solubility and dissolution velocity of S. flavescens lead to poor bioavailability. The S. flavescens nanoparticles (SFNP) were prepared by a combination of ultrasound and hydrolysis developed by the authors. The drug dissolution profiles of SFNP in both pH 6.8 and pH 2 media showed complete dissolution within 30 min. The seropharmacology study showed that oral S. flavescens absorption in the SFNP was significantly increased. Anti-inflammation assay revealed the therapeutic efficiency of S. flavescens significantly enhanced upon nanoparticle formation.

Anti-inflammatory effects of fermented and non-fermented Sophora flavescens: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The roots of Sophora flavescens (Leguminosae) have been used in East Asian countries as an herbal medicine and a food ingredient for thousands of years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of S. flavescens fermentation on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. METHODS: EIU was induced in rats via a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immediately after the LPS inoculation, fermented and non-fermented extracts of S. flavescens (FSE and NFSE, respectively) were administered orally, and the aqueous humor was collected from both eyes 24 hours later. The anti-inflammatory effects of FSE and NFSE were examined in terms of regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and the expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The regulation of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) infiltration by FSE and NFSE were also examined. RESULTS: Treatment with FSE significantly inhibited LPS-induced increases in IL-1ß and TNF-α production and the expression of iNOS, ICAM-1 and COX-2. Moreover, FSE suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, and reduced both MDA levels and infiltration by PMN. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that solid state fermentation may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of S. flavescens.

A Contemporary Treatment Approach to Both Diabetes and Depression by Cordyceps sinensis, Rich in Vanadium.

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by hormonal and neurochemical changes that can be associated with anxiety and depression. Both diabetes and depression negatively interact, in that depression leads to poor metabolic control and hyperglycemia exacerbates depression. We hypothesize one novel vanadium complex of vanadium-enriched Cordyceps sinensis (VECS), which is beneficial in preventing depression in diabetes, and influences the long-term course of glycemic control. Vanadium compounds have the ability to imitate the action of insulin, and this mimicry may have further favorable effects on the level of treatment satisfaction and mood. C. sinensis has an antidepressant-like activity, and attenuates the diabetes-induced increase in blood glucose concentrations. We suggest that the VECS may be a potential strategy for contemporary treatment of depression and diabetes through the co-effect of C. sinensis and vanadium. The validity of the hypothesis can most simply be tested by examining blood glucose levels, and swimming and climbing behavior in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats.