• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2009

Extracts and fractions of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga in Russia) have been known to have various biological activities, including antimutagenic, anticancer, antioxidative, and immunostimulating effects. This study was performed to confirm anticancer effect of 10% superfine Chaga mushroom processed by nano-mill technology on C57BL/6 mice. Chaga particles belonged in the size of 1 ${\mu}m$ was about 40% after nanomill processing according to the volume distribution. As the result of subcutaneous injection of B16BL6 melanoma cells to the mice, the tumor volume (p<0.001) and tumor weight (p<0.01) was significantly decreased in the experimental (NCh) group as compared with control (C) group and the tumor growth inhibitory rate was 29.2%. On examination of survival rate after intraperitoneal injection of B16BL6 melanoma cells, the mean survival time per a mouse was 17.7 and 26.0 days in C and NCh group respectively. The survival rate of NCh group was 40% when that of C group was 0% at the 35th day. On the result of examination to confirm histological toxicity by Chaga superfine particles, both groups did not show any morphological and pathological changes in the small and large intestine under the light microscope. These results suggest that feeding of superfine Chaga produced by nanomill technique has a tumor growth inhibitory effect in vivo.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2009

A officinal mushroom, Phellinus linteus (PL) has been known to exhibit potent biological activities including antioxidative and anticancer effect. PL is consumed as a type of powder or extract for the purpose of health promotion and disease treatment. Recently superfine PL products was commercialized according to the development of pulverizing technology such as nanomill, so the evaluation of food safety is suggested. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety of superfine PL (SPL) through hematological, biochemical and histological examination in mice as compared with fine PL (FPL). In the particle size distribution in volume after nanomill processing, the mean diameter of SPL and FPL particles was 11.78 ${\mu}m$ and 216.1 ${\mu}m$, and d (0.5), the particle diameter measured at 50% of distribution was 5.5 ${\mu}m$ and 147.9 ${\mu}m$, respectively. As the result of body weight, food intake and the weight of organs, SPL group didn't show any statistical difference compared with FPL group and normal group (N). Hematological and biochemical values were also involved in the normal range, although ALT (N vs. FPL, P<0.001) and BUN (N vs. FPL, P<0.01; N vs. SPL, P<0.01) showed significance compared with N group but there are no significance between FPL and SPL group. In the result of histological examination with liver, kidney, spleen, and small and large intestine, abnormal findings such as inflammatory reaction and histological changes were not observed. Our results suggest that the oral intake of SPL diet is not harmful to the animal in the hematological, biochemical and histological aspects although particle size was reduced to the level of superfine. However, further study will be necessary to confirm the histological safety in relation to the gastrointestinal contact of superfine particles in the case of large amount and long-term intake.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2009

Saengshik is an uncooked and powdered functional food composed of various edible plants, and has been consumed widely due to its health benefits and convenient uptake. Recently, superfine ground saengshik, which contains a certain extent of nanoscale particles, has been commercialized to enhance efficacy, but its safety has not been determined. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety of superfine saengshik (SS) through general toxicity examination after oral uptake in mice compared to conventional fine saengshik (FS). The SS particle size distribution was 0.479-26.303 f.1m in diameter, with about 68.92% of particles with a diameter < $0.955{\mu}m$. From our safety evaluation, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and biochemical values in the serum fell into the normal range, and the weight of organs showed no significant difference between FS and SS groups. Histological observation of the liver, small intestine and large intestine did not show any abnormal or pathological findings under light microscopy. Our results suggest that oral intake of SS is not harmful to mice in terms of general toxicity.