Begell House Inc.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
IJM
1521-9437
4
4
2002
Is a Widely Cultivated Culinary-Medicinal Royal Sun Agaricus (the Himematsutake Mushroom) Indeed Agaricus blazei Murrill?
24
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.10
Paul E.
Stamets
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Fungi Perfecti P.O. Box 7634 Olympia, WA 98507, USA
Marina Ya.
Didukh
International Center for Cryptogamic Plants and Fungi, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel; M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2 Tereshchenkovskaya Str., Kiev, 01601, Ukraine
Augusto Ferreira
da Eira
Department of Plant Production, Agriculture Microbiology, FCA/UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Solomon P.
Wasser
International Centre for Biotechnology and Biodiversity of Fungi,
Institute of Evolution and Faculty of Natural Sciences,
University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
Maria Angela L.
de Amazonas
Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Florestas, Embrapa Florestas, C.P. 319, 83411-000 Colombo, Parana, Brazil
One of the utmost important edible and culinary-medicinal biotechnological species, Royal Sun Agaricus, known as Agaricus blazei, is revaluated. Analysis of data on this culinary-medicinal mushroom originating from Brazil, and widely cultivated nowadays, showed that it is not A. blazei Murrill, but a species identical with A. blazei Murrill ss. Heinem. On the basis of existing differences the widely cultivated species, currently known as A blazei ss. Heinem., is described as Agaricus brasiliensis sp. nov. A description of this new species, as well as data considering the extent of its relatedness to true A. blazei and its taxonomic position in the genvis Agaricus, are given.
Antidiabetic Effect of an Acidic Polysaccharide (TAP) from Tremella aurantia Schw.: Fr. (Heterobasidiomycetes) in Genetically Diabetic КК-Аy Mice
7
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.20
Tadashi
Kiho
Laboratory of Medical Regulations, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Japan
Mari
Kochi
Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 5-6-1 Mitahora-higashi, Gifu 502-8585, Japan
Shigeyuki
Usui
Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 502-8585, Japan
Kazuyuki
Hirano
Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 502-8585, Japan
Koichi
Aizawa
Research Institute, Kagome Co., Ltd., 17 Nishitomiyama, Nishinasuno-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 329-2762, Japan
Takahiro
Inakuma
Research Institute, Kagome Co., Ltd., 17 Nishitomiyama, Nishinasuno-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi 329-2762, Japan
Antidiabetic effect of an acidic polysaccharide obtained from the fruiting bodies of Tremella aurantia was studied. Continuous oral administration of а T. aurantia acidic polysaccharide (TAP) solution (0.5 g/L) instead of water to genetically non-insulin-dependent diabetic model (KK-Ay) mice, being already in diabetic condition, were found to depress plasma glucose increases. TAP significantly lowered levels of total-cholesterol, free cholesterol, free fatty acid, and triglyceride in the blood of the mice, and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio. TAP also significantly lowered the level of free fatty acid in epididymal adipose tissue, while triglyceride content in the tissue was slightly increased. On the other hand, TAP significantly increased glycogen content in hindlimb muscle tissue. The study shows that TAP has an antidiabetic effect, even if the diabetic mice were already at a high plasma glucose level.
Medicinal Properties and Clinical Effects of Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill (Agaricomycetideae) (Review)
14
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.30
Takashi
Mizuno
Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 4-13-9 Seinan-Cho, Fujieda-Shi 426-0063, Japan
Agaricus blazei Murrill ("Kawariharatake" in Japan, "Cogmelo de Deus" in Brazil) was first discovered in Florida, USA, in 1944. Its main natural habitat is the mountainous district of Piedade in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was found that the rate of occurrence of adult diseases in the Piedade region is extremely low since people took A. blazei as a part of their regular diet. The miracle mushroom was brought to Japan in 1965, an artificial cultivation process was established in 1978, and it has been well evaluated in terms of biochemical and medicinal properties since the 1980s. Many animal studies and clinical experience have demonstrated that A. blazei shows antitumor activity, immunological enhancement, and also the fungus is effective for treatment of AIDS, diabetes, hypotension, and hepatitis.
Fractionation and Characterization of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Agaricus blаzеi Murrill (Agaricomycetideae) Fruit Body
7
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.40
Lin
Yuexin
Bioengineering College, Fujian Teachers University, Fuzhou 350007, People's Republic of China
Ye
Zhuqiu
Bioengineering College, Fujian Teachers University, Fuzhou 350007, People's Republic of China
Huang
Yanyan
Bioengineering College, Fujian Teachers University, Fuzhou 350007, People's Republic of China
Xie
Hualing
Bioengineering College, Fujian Teachers University, Fuzhou 350007, People's Republic of China
Three groups of water-soluble polysaccharides, AB-I, AB-II-b, and AB-III-b, were obtained from Agaricus blazei fruit body by hot-water extraction, ethanol precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chroniatography, and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. HPLC examination showed that they were purified into pure preparations. The molecular weight, monosaccharide constituent, and glucosidic bond of the polysaccharides were tested by employing Sepharose CL-4B, GC, and IR. The results were as follows: molecular weight: AB-I, 21 ґ 104, AB-II-b, 34 ґ 106, AB-III-b, 6 ґ 104; monosaccharide composition: AB-I, Gal:Man:Glc (1.43:2.02:5.57), AB-II-b, Rha:Gal:Man:Glc (1.00:1.26:2.75:4.26), AB-III-b, Rha:Xyl:Gal:Man:Glc (1.49:0.37:0.84:1.86:4.05). IR examination showed that the glucosidic bond of the three polysaccharides were b-pyran type. The polysaccharides contained a protein constituent.
A Phase I/II Study of a Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Ling Zhi, Reishi Mushroom) Extract in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis В
7
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.50
Shufeng
Zhou
Division of Pharmacy, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore; University of South Florida FL 33612, USA
Yihuai
Gao
Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University; Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland, New Zealand
Guoliang
Chen
Division of Traditional Chinese Medicine, New Zealand Institute of Natural Medicines, Auckland, New Zealand
Xihu
Dai
Department of Internal Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region of the Peoples' Liberation Army, Fuzhou, R.P. China
Jingxian
Ye
Department of Integrated Medicine. Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, R.P. China
He
Gao
Division of Traditional Chinese Medicine, New Zealand Institute of Natural Medicines, Auckland, New Zealand
The polysaccharide fractions and triterpenes isolated from Ganoderma lucidum have shown protection effects on the liver in animal studies. This double-blind, randomised, and multicentered study aimed to evaluate the safety and effect of a G. lucidum extraction, Ganopoly, in chronic hepatitis B. Ninety patients with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis В viral (HBV) DNA positivity, and aminotransferase elevation were included in this multicenter prospective randomized Phase I/II study. Patients were randomized to be given Ganopoly (n = 60) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks, then followed up for 13 weeks. Effect of therapy on levels of HBV DNA and aminotransferase activities in serum and hepatitis В е antigen (HBeAg) status were investigated. There were 78 assessable patients who entered the trial for efficacy and safety; 13 of 52 (25%) patients receiving Ganopoly responded by reducing HBeAg and HBV DNA, compared to 1 of 26 (4%) in the control group (P n = 29), 41% (12/29) responded, and among those with AST values > 100 U/L (n = 23), 65% (15/23) responded. Within the 6-month study period, 33% (17/ 52) of treated patients had normal aminotransferase (ALT) values, and 13% (7/52) had cleared hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from serum, whereas none of the controls had normal ALT values or had lost HBsAg. Eight of 60 patients in Ganopoly group and 4 of 30 in the controls were unable to be followed up due to loss or withdrawal. Our study indicates that Ganopoly is well tolerated and appears to be active against HBV in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antitumor Activities of Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus pufmonanus (Fr.) Quel. (Agaricomycetideae)
7
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.60
Nayana
Jose
Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur 680 553, Kerala, India
Thekkuttuparambil Ananthanarayanan
Ajith
Department of Biochemistry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Nagar, Thrissur-680 555, Kerala, India
Kainoor Krishnankutty
Janardhanan
Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur 680555,India
Antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel [= P. sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer] were evaluated. The methanol extract of P. pulmonarius showed significant hydroxyl radical-scavenging and lipid peroxidation-inhibiting activities; the concentrations required for 50% inhibition (IC50) were 476.67 and 960.0 mg/mL, respectively. However, the extract did not show superoxide radical-scavenging activity. The administration of the extract caused significant regression of solid tumor at concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight. The extract was also significantly effective in reducing paw edema induced by carrageenan and formalin at concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight. In both the antitumor and anti-inflammatory models, the activity of the extracts was comparable to the standard reference drugs, cisplatin and diclofenac, respectively. The results thus suggest therapeutic potential for P. pulmonarius as an antitumor and anti-inflammatory agent.
Effects of Total Triterpenoids Extract from Ganoderma Iucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Reishi Mushroom) on Experimental Liver Injury Models Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride or D-Galactosamine in Mice
6
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.70
Zhi-Bin
Lin
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
Ming-Yu
Wang
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083. People's Republic of China
Qiang
Liu
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100083. People's Republic of China
Qing-Ming
Che
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Peking University, Beijing, 100083. People's Republic of China
The effect of total triterpenoids extract isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (GT) on two different experimental liver injury models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and D-galactosamine (D-Gal) was studied in mice. The liver triglycerides (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. The histopathological changes in the liver were assayed in mice. The results were as follows: GT (80 mg/kg) and GT2 (10, 20, 40 mg/ kg), as malotilate, were shown to significantly inhibit the increase of serum ALT and liver TG levels in the models. GT could antagonize the decrease of SOD activity and liver GSH content and inhibit the increase of the liver MDA content in the liver-injury mice induced by CCl4 or D-Gal. Also, it could improve the histopathological changes of liver injury. The results demonstrate that total triterpenoids isolated from G. lucidum have powerful protective effects against liver damage induced by CCl4 or D-Gal. Their hepato-protective effects were perhaps related to the ability to promote the activity of scavenging enzymes for hepatic free radicals in mice, and thus to raise the ability of antioxidation in mice.
Cultivation of a Selected Sporophore-Only-Producing Strain of the Edible and Medicinal Mushroom, Pleurotus tuberregium (Fr.) Singer (Agaricomycetideae) on Waste Paper and Plantain Peelings
6
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.80
Omoanghe S.
Isikhuemhen
Mushroom Biology and Fungal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Omorefosa
Osemwegie
University of Benin
O. J.
Onyolu
Department of Botany, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
John Aroye
Okhuoya
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria
Growth and sporophore yield in strain Pt-Omon13 of Pteurotus tuberregium (Fr.) Singer on substrates made of waste paper (WP), plantain peelings (PP), and different combinations of WP and PP was investigated. Sporophores were produced on all substrates and substrate combinations tested. A substrate combination containing 80% by weight of waste paper gave the highest sporophore yield, at 43.78 ± 5.1 (fresh weight) per 100 g. Another substrate combination containing 80 % by weight of plantain peelings gave the least sporophore yield among the substrate combinations tested (3.15 ± 0 g/100 g). The high Sporophores yield of this species on some of the substrate combinations may qualify WP and supplementation with PP as a suitable substrate for the low-cost mass production of this mushroom. This could also become an environmentally friendly avenue for biological recycling of these wastes, which are abundant in our immediate environment. The stability of the strain used (Pt-Omon13) as a selected "sporophore-only"-producing strain is further confirmed.
Mixed-Culture Cultivation of Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Tremella fudformis Berk. (Phragmobasidiomycetes) on Synthetic Logs
6
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.90
Nian Lai
Huang
Saming Mycological Institute, Saming, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China
Alice W.
Chen
Specialty Mushrooms, 1730 Penfield Rd., No.41, Penfield, NY 14526, USA
Tremella fudformis (white jelly mushroom, yin er), an important culinary and medicinal mushroom in China and Taiwan, is a fairly new adventure in North America. Cultivation of T. fudformis focusing on synthetic logs is described.
The Noble Polypore (Bridgeoporus nobilissimus): An Ancient Mushroom of Many Mysteries
4
10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v4.i4.100
Paul E.
Stamets
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Fungi Perfecti P.O. Box 7634 Olympia, WA 98507, USA
Description, distribution, ecology, content ofbeta-glucans of noble polypore Bridgeoporus nobilissimus (Cke) Volk, Burdsall et Ammirati, on collections from Oregon and Washington (USA).