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Mycologia 2019 Feb 4:1-16. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

c Fungus/Mushroom Resource and Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture , Tottori University , 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553 , Japan.

Homolka's perlite protocol (HPP) was evaluated for cryopreservation of a wide range of ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete cultures, then a modified perlite protocol (MPP), in which cryoprotectant was added just before freezing rather than during the culturing process, was applied to cryosensitive strains that failed to survive when HPP was used. Further modifications of MPP with various cryoprotectants were explored to improve the cryopreservation of hard-to-preserve strains. The efficacy of HPP was assessed in 111 strains of 38 species of basidiomycetes of various cryosensitivities. Read More

Toxicol Rep 2019 9;6:143-150. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Mushrooms account for a part of human diet due to their exquisite taste and protein content as well as their promising health effects unveiled by scientific research. Toxic and non-toxic mushrooms frequently share considerable morphological similarities, which mislead the collectors/consumers, resulting in mycotoxicity. Numerous mushroom species are considered "poisonous" as they produce dangerous toxins. Read More

Chin J Nat Med 2019 Jan;17(1):33-42

Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. Electronic address:

Antrodia camphorata, a well-known and highly valued edible medicinal mushroom with intriguing activities like liver protection, has been traditionally used for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease. A. camphorata shows highly medicinal and commercial values with the demand far exceeds the available supply. Read More

Mol Pharmacol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas;

Alzheimer's disease is the neurodegenerative disorder that is a major cause of dementia in the elderly. There is no cure against AD. We have recently discovered novel TRPC6-mediated intracellular signaling pathway that regulates stability of dendritic spines and plays a role in memory formation. Read More

Food Chem 2019 May 3;281:269-284. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Provincial Key Laboratory for Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Sichuan, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address:

Owing to the strong concentration and biotransformation of arsenic, the influence of some edible mushrooms on human health has attracted widespread attention. The toxicity of arsenic greatly depends on its species, so the speciation analysis of arsenic is of critical importance. The aim of the present review is to highlight recent advances in arsenic speciation analysis in edible mushrooms. Read More

Int J Phytoremediation 2018 17;20(14):1389-1399. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

d Guizhou Institute of Prataculture , Guiyang , Guizhou , China.

Phytoremediation is a kind of efficient strategy for remediating soils polluted with heavy metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on the phytoremediation potential of Ricinus communis in Cd- and Zn-polluted soil. We treated the soil with SMS before growing plants and analyzed the contents, distribution of heavy metals, and response of plants after growth. Read More

Molecules 2019 Jan 15;24(2). Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.

Twelve compounds (⁻) were isolated from the methanol extract of brick cap mushroom ( (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2018 17;9:1449. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major form of primary liver cancer, is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling is constantly activated in HCC and has been proposed as a chemotherapeutic target for HCC. (AC), a medicinal mushroom unique to Taiwan, is traditionally used for treating HCC. Read More

Res Pharm Sci 2018 Dec;13(6):533-545

Biotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, I.R. Iran.

() subsp. has been used in traditional medicine and is famous for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanol (MeOH), n-hexane, dichloromethane (CHCl), n-butanol (BuOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), water extracts and essential oil of subsp. Read More

J Med Food 2019 Feb 31;22(2):225-227. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

1 Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University , Fukuoka, Japan .

In the present study, ethanol extracts of 90 wild mushroom samples from Nepal, and the pure compound hispidin, were screened for their ability to inhibit β-hexosaminidase release (BHR) from rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells. Simultaneously, the toxicity of the extracts toward the cells was also determined, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Samples belonging to the groups Hymenochaetales and Polyporales showed promising anti-allergic activity, with Phellinus adamantinus and Ganoderma lingzhi 3 allowing a mere 19. Read More

Neurobiol Dis 2019 Apr 27;124:489-504. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia. Electronic address:

There is evidence that cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) results from deficiencies in synaptic communication (e.g., loss of mushroom-shaped 'memory spines') and neurodegenerative processes. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018 12 14;15(12). Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.

The consequences of mushroom poisoning range from mild, mostly gastrointestinal, disturbances to organ failure or even death. This retrospective study describes presentations related to mushroom poisoning at an emergency department in Bern (Switzerland) from January 2001 to October 2017. Gastrointestinal disturbances were reported in 86% of the 51 cases. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019 Mar 23;169:523-528. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS), Instituto de Biociências, Campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.

Thiamethoxam (TMX) is a neurotoxic insecticide widely used for insect pest control. TMX and other neonicotinoids are reported to be potential causes of honey bee decline. Due to its systematic action, TMX may be recovered in pollen, bee bread, nectar, and honey, which make bees likely to be exposed to contaminated diet. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2019 Jan 15;23(1):4-20. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Medical Systems Biology Center for Complex Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

Poria cocos is an edible medicinal fungus known as "Fuling" in Chinese and has been used as a Chinese traditional medicine for more than two thousand years. Pharmacological studies reveal that polysaccharide is the most abundant substance in Poria cocos and has a wide range of biological activities including antitumour, immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anti-ageing, antihepatitis, antidiabetics and anti-haemorrhagic fever effects. As a result, "Poria cocos polysaccharide oral solution" was developed and sold as an over-the-counter health supplement since 1970s. Read More

Toxicon 2019 Jan 12;157:53-65. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Dept. for Clinical Toxicology at II, Med. Klinik, TU, München, Munich, Germany.

Mushroom poisoning is a significant and increasing form of toxin-induced-disease. Existing classifications of mushroom poisoning do not include more recently described new syndromes of mushroom poisoning and this can impede the diagnostic process. We reviewed the literature on mushroom poisoning, concentrating on the period since the current major classification published in 1994, to identify all new syndromes of poisoning and organise them into a new integrated classification, supported by a new diagnostic algorithm. Read More

Toxins (Basel) 2018 Nov 13;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland.

Rhabdomyolysis, a condition associated with the consumption of Yellow Knight mushrooms (), was first reported in 2001. In response, some countries began to consider the mushroom as poisonous, whereas in others it is still consumed. In the present study, a nationwide survey of Polish mushroom foragers ( = 1545) was conducted to estimate the frequency of consumption. Read More

Carbohydr Polym 2019 Jan 29;204:142-151. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, PR China. Electronic address:

The present work investigated the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and pulmonary protective effects of enzymatic- and acid- hydrolysed mycelia polysaccharides (En-MPS and Ac-MPS) from Oudemansiella radicata on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. The results demonstrated that both En-MPS and Ac-MPS showed potential pulmonary protective effects by decreasing serum levels of hs-CRP and C3, increasing pulmonary enzyme values of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and the level of T-AOC; reducing the activity of MPO; and down-regulating the contents of MDA and LPO. In addition, the levels of TNF-ɑ, IL-1β, and IL-6 in BALF of mice treated with En-MPS at a dosage of 400 mg/kg/d were significantly lower than those in the ALI mice. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 30;2018:4285161. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.

The aim of this work was to characterize spent mushroom substrate polysaccharides (MSP) from and their antioxidant and organ protective effects in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. The enzymatic-, acidic-, and alkalic- (En-, Ac-, and Al-) MSP were extracted from with snailase (4%), hydrochloric acid (1 mol/l), and sodium hydroxide (1 mol/l), respectively. The characterizations were evaluated by spectral analysis. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Feb 22;651(Pt 1):1344-1355. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315, Torgarden, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Eight regional to continental scale datasets providing Cd concentrations in subsoil (C horizon or mineral soil collected at depth) and topsoil are used to compare the statistical distribution of Cd in the two soil layers. Topsoil is invariably enriched in Cd when compared to subsoil. When both horizons are mineral soil the concentration ratio Cd/Cd is 1. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2019 Jan 25;123:162-168. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Triskelion B.V. (formerly TNO Triskelion B.V.), Zeist, the Netherlands.

A series of in vitro studies were conducted to assess the genetic toxicity of jelly mushroom glycolipids from Dacryopinax spathularia (herein referred to as "AM-1"). In the bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test), there was no evidence of mutagenic activity in any Salmonella typhimurium strains tested or in Escherichia coli strain WP2uvrA, at dose levels up to 5000 μg/plate. In the micronucleus (MN) test using human lymphocytes, AM-1 did not show a statistically significant increase in the number of binucleated cells containing micronuclei when compared to concurrent control cultures at all time points and at any of the concentrations analyzed (up to 900 μg/ml of culture medium). Read More

Anal Chim Acta 2018 Dec 6;1040:128-135. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Research Center for Biotechnology, Bioethics and Environment, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, 680003, Colombia.

The presence of phenol in industrial wastewater is an issue of great relevance for petrochemical and energy companies, among others. The high toxicity level of this substance requires polluting industries to continuously monitor the concentration of phenol in their wastewaters so as to comply with environmental regulations and to minimize environmental impact. This research work proposes the experimental development of an analytical method for "in situ" measurement of the concentration of phenol diluted in water, with application in Oil & Gas production wastewater monitoring. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(9):809-823

Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Tokyo, Japan.

Ganoderma lingzhi (reishi) (GL) is a widely used medicinal mushroom in the treatment of several diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cancer. We recently performed autodigestion of GL and found enhanced release of hypotensive peptides and immunomodulating beta-1,3-glucan. In the present study, we examined the protective effects of G. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(8):761-774

Department of Microbiology, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancer drug used extensively to treat a variety of human malignancies. DOX chemotherapy often leads to serious cardiotoxicity. We examined the ability of a Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) to prevent DOX-associated cardiotoxicity. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(8):749-759

Centre of Agriculture Research, Baghdad, Iraq.

In this study, the aqueous extracts of fruiting bodies of Psathyrella candolleana and Agaricus bisporus were assessed in vitro for their genotoxic potential. Extracts of these 2 fungi were tested with regard to their capacity to protect genetic material against DNA damage caused by the anticancer chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin. Using chromosomal aberration, micronucleus, and comet assays, the genotoxic and genoprotective potential of these 2 fungi was assessed using P. Read More

Microb Pathog 2018 Dec 10;125:431-437. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

College of Life Science and Technology, Dalian University, Liaoning, 116622, China. Electronic address:

The inflammatory cellular model of RAW264.7 cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has always been used to investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory agents in vitro. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of total flavones extracted from the fermentation broth of the co-culture of Coprinus comatus and Morchella esculenta (MCF-F), and its potential molecular mechanism in LPS-challenged RAW264. Read More

J Biomol Struct Dyn 2018 Oct 6:1-51. Epub 2018 Oct 6.

a Department of Biotechnology , North Orissa University , Baripada , Odisha - 757003 India.

Hispolon is a polyphenolic compound derived from black hoof mushroom (Phellinus linteus) or shaggy bracket mushroom (Inonotus hispidus) which induces the inhibition of cancer promoting NF-κβ complex. To develop more potent lead molecules with enhanced anticancer efficiency, mechanism of hispolon mediated Nuclear Factor-κβ inhibition has been investigated by molecular modelling and docking. Ten derivatives of hispolon (DRG1-10) have been developed by pharmacophore based design with a view to enhance the anticancer efficacy. Read More

Carbohydr Polym 2018 Dec 26;201:566-574. Epub 2018 Aug 26.

College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, PR China. Electronic address:

The synergistical action of inflammation response with oxidative stress has been reported to be response for the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung damage. In our present work, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies of mycelia selenium polysaccharides (MSPS) from Hypsizigus marmoreus SK-03 in LPS-induced lung damaged mice, and its structure characterizations had been evaluated and analyzed. The animal investigations indicated that MSPS markedly ameliorated pulmonary injuries by the regulations of related inflammatory events via the observably antioxidant effects at the dose of 800 mg/kg. Read More

J Photochem Photobiol B 2018 Nov 22;188:42-49. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Laser Spectroscopy and Nanomaterials Lab, Department of Physics, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, India. Electronic address:

It is highly desirable to discover novel green synthesis methods for cheap and scalable synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) to reduce the negative impact on the environment. But these approaches generally impose great challenge in controlling size, shape, and homogeneity of product NPs. Here in the present study, we report a novel approach enabling direct sunlight and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) extract for the photo-biochemical synthesis of Ag NPs. Read More

J Psychopharmacol 2018 Dec 5;32(12):1286-1294. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Maryland Poison Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background:: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin are serotonergic hallucinogens that are used primarily for recreational abuse. Small studies evaluated the efficacy of LSD and psilocybin for several psychiatric conditions. There are limited safety or toxicity data for either of these substances, especially in large populations. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Dec 24;120(Pt A):811-822. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, PR China. Electronic address:

The present work investigated the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and organ protective effects of residue polysaccharide (RPS) and its enzymatic-RPS (ERPS) of Lentinula edodes against the LPS-induced sepsis in mice. The results demonstrated that ERPS showed superior effects on inhibiting serum activities of CKMB, LDH, AST, ALP and ALT, lowing the serum levels of BUN, CRE and UA, as well as improving the antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GSH-P and T-AOC) than RPS. Moreover, the levels of TNF-α (667. Read More

Behav Brain Res 2019 01 14;356:18-40. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 382481, India. Electronic address:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an enervating and chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, occurring frequently in the elderly and adversely affecting intellectual capabilities and the cognitive processes. Bergenin possesses efficacious antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, anti-HIV, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity along with antinociceptive effect and wound healing properties. Previous studies have shown that bergenin has in vitro bovine adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitory activity, mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activities, β-secretase (BACE-1) enzyme inhibitory activity and prevented neuronal death in the primary culture of rat cortical neurons. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2018 Oct 11;296:95-104. Epub 2018 Aug 11.

School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76(#) Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China; School of Forensic Science and Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76(#) Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China. Electronic address:

Rapid and accurate identification of multiple toxins for clinical diagnosis and treatment of mushroom poisoning cases is still a challenge, especially with the lack of authentic references. In this study, we developed an effective method for simultaneous identification of amanita peptide toxins by liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The accuracy and selectivity of the methodology were validated through similar multiple fragmentation patterns and characteristic ions of standard α- and β-amanitin. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018 Oct 3;25(28):28216-28225. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

College of Resources and Environmental Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China.

Heavy metal accumulation in plants may imperil human health. Inoculation of plant growth-promoting bacteria can alleviate the toxicity of heavy metal and promote plant growth. In this study, Bacillus sp. Read More

Food Chem 2018 Dec 21;268:355-361. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 63 Wita Stwosza Street, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland. Electronic address:

One of the most commonly consumed mushrooms in Europe is Cantharellus cibarius, also known as chanterelles. Therefore, the investigation of the pro-health properties of crude polysaccharides from this species was performed. The obtained results indicate that the polysaccharide fraction from C. Read More

Mycologia 2018 Jul-Aug;110(4):637-641. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

c Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Saint Luke's Hospital , 190 E Bannock Street, Boise , Idaho 83712.

Ingestion of wild and potentially toxic mushrooms is common in the United States and many other parts of the world. US poison centers have been logging cases of mushroom exposure in The National Poison Data System (NPDS) annual publications for over 30 years. This study compiles and analyzes US mushroom exposures as reported by the NPDS from 1999 to 2016. Read More

Acta Histochem 2018 Aug 19;120(6):586-594. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Anatomy Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Allura Red is a food color that can lead to neurotoxicity. Taurine is an organic compound that can act as a neuroprotectant. This study aimed to assess the effects of Allura Red with or without taurine consumption on rats' medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC). Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Oct 28;120:430-438. Epub 2018 Jul 28.

CRL Ashland, Ashland, OH, USA.

The developmental and reproduction toxicity potential of jelly mushroom glycolipids from Dacryopinax spathularia was studied in Crl:CD (SD) rats by daily oral gavage administration at doses of 150, 500 or 1000 mg/kg/day. Pregnant female rats in the developmental study received the test article from Gestation Days 6-19. F and F parental animals in the 2-generation reproduction toxicity study were dosed for a minimum of 70 days prior to mating and throughout mating, gestation, and lactation, until the day prior to euthanasia (following weaning of litters on postnatal day 21). Read More

Trop Anim Health Prod 2019 Jan 14;51(1):109-117. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Department of Veterinary Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Coccidian organisms of poultry have proved very hard to control due to their abilities to resist most anticoccidial drugs. Pleurotus ostreatus (Fr.) Jacq. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2018 Oct 30;162:77-84. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszyńska 34, 60-479 Poznań, Poland.

Crop protection agents are widely used in modern agriculture and exert direct effects on non-target microorganisms such as yeasts. Yeasts abundantly colonize wheat grain and affect its chemical composition. They can also limit pathogen growth. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2018 Oct 30;118(Pt B):1488-1493. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Engineering Research Center of Chinese Ministry of Education for Edible and Medicinal Fungi, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130012, China.

In this study, we systematically investigated the physicochemical properties, hepatoprotective activities and the underlying mechanisms of Agaricus bisporus polysaccharide (FPS). The physicochemical evaluations indicate that FPS is mainly composed of glucose, mannose, galactose, fucose, arabinose and glucuronic acid with the mole percentages of 70.30%, 8. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(5):459-469

Ligno Biotech Sdn Bhd, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia.

A cultivar of fruiting bodies of Ophiocordyceps sinensis (FBOS; OCS02) was analyzed for nutrients, bioactive compounds, and heavy metal content to showcase its potential as a competitive, sustainable, and safe alternative to wild types and other cultivars. A previous 28-day subacute toxicity study showed that doses up to 1 g · kg-1 did not cause any adverse effects in Sprague-Dawley rats. The OCS02 cultivar contained large amounts of cordycepin, polysaccharides, and essential and semi-essential amino acids (0. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(5):419-429

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Chronic kidney disease is a health burden worldwide but particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with dwindling resources as a result of poor commodity export, devaluation of currencies, and corruption that had decreased the average family income and substantially increased the number of persons living on less than $1.90/day. Natural products are part of the healthcare delivery system in that part of the world. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Jan 25;26(1):5-13. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Institute of Microbiology, Microbial Communication, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.

Schizophyllum commune is a filamentous basidiomycete which can degrade complex organic macromolecules like lignin by the secretion of a large repertoire of enzymes. One of these white rot enzymes, laccase, exhibits a broad substrate specificity and is able to oxidize a variety of substances including carbonaceous rocks. To investigate the role of laccase in bioweathering, laccase gene lcc2 was overexpressed, and the influence on weathering of black slate, originating from a former alum mine in Schmiedefeld, Germany, was examined. Read More

Chem Biodivers 2018 Sep 29;15(9):e1800203. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea.

Calvatia species, generally known as puffball mushrooms, are used both as sources of food and as traditional medicine. Among the Calvatia genus, Calvatia nipponica (Agaricaceae) is one of the rarest species. Using bioassay-guided fractionation based on anti-inflammatory effects, five alkaloids (1 - 5), two phenolics (6 and 7), and a fatty acid methyl ester (8) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of C. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 06 7;9(1):2208. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UH, UK.

Acromyrmex leafcutter ants form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus and with Pseudonocardia bacteria. Both are vertically transmitted and actively maintained by the ants. The fungus garden is manured with freshly cut leaves and provides the sole food for the ant larvae, while Pseudonocardia cultures are reared on the ant-cuticle and make antifungal metabolites to help protect the cultivar against disease. Read More

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018 15;2018:6254929. Epub 2018 May 15.

Laboratory of Preventive and Integrative Biomedicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.

The current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of two types of mushrooms, (GL) and (AP), against carbofuran- (CF) induced toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats ( = 42) were divided into six equal groups. The rats in the negative control group received oral administration of CF at 1 mg/kg with the normal diet for 28 days. Read More

Toxicol Rep 2018 15;5:401-410. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Mushroom species are valued in gourmet traditions around the world for their unique taste, aroma, nutritional value and medicinal potentials. The bioactive profiling of mushroom was evaluated to determine it therapeutic effect on Wistar albino rats exposed to arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) toxicity. Proximate analysis of showed high composition of carbohydrate (80. Read More

Biosci Trends 2018 Jul 29;12(3):325-329. Epub 2018 May 29.

Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokai University.

The current study found that an extract from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Hypsizygus marmoreus exhibited hemolytic activity against sheep red blood cells when its pH was lowered. Although hemolytic activity was not detected when an extract had a neutral pH, an extract with a low pH exhibited potent hemolytic activity. The maximal hemolytic activity was exhibited by an extract with a pH of 5. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2018 Aug 29;18(2):1858-1866. Epub 2018 May 29.

Beijing Engineering Research Center of Protein and Functional Peptides, China National Research Institute of Food and Fermentation Industries, Beijing 100015, P.R. China.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect and mechanism of Letinous edodes foot peptides on ethanol‑induced L02 cells. A cell model of ethanol‑induced damage was established in vitro to study the effects of the Letinous edodes foot peptides on human L02 hepatocytes. The expression and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), following treatment were examined to determine the anti‑alcoholism and hepatoprotective functions of Letinous edodes foot peptides. Read More