• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.153-156
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• 2020

Calvatia nipponica, a puffball mushroom (Agaricaceae), is thought to be an aphrodisiac, as this mushroom is traditionally known to improve sexual function in males. As part of the systematic study to determine the bioactive secondary metabolites from C. nipponica responsible for aphrodisiac effects, chemical analysis of methanol (MeOH) extracts of the fruiting bodies of C. nipponica resulted in the isolation of two major compounds: N,N-dimethyl-anthranilic acid (1) and (7Z,10Z)-7,10-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for cumulative dose-dependent relaxation responses to precontracted penile corpus smooth muscle (PCCSM). Results show that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited a maximum relaxation effect of 20.33 ± 2.18% and 24.63 ± 3.60%, respectively. These findings indicate that compounds 1 and 2, major components of C. nipponica, could potentially be used to treat erectile dysfunction, functioning as natural aphrodisiacs.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.607-612
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• 2015

The aim of this research was to investigate the whitening effects of rutin and rutin metabolites including 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DHPAA), 3-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (HPAA), 3,4-dihydroxytolene (DHT) and homovanillic acid (HVA). The potent whitening effect of rutin and rutin metabolites were determined by mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay and expressed as the half maximal inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) against tyrosinase activity in vitro. The HVA showed the highest inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}=37.10{\mu}M$) of tyrosinase activity, followed by DHPAA ($IC_{50}=45.87{\mu}M$), HPAA ($IC_{50}=50.96{\mu}M$), rutin ($IC_{50}=57.98{\mu}M$), and DHT ($IC_{50}=66.09{\mu}M$), respectively. To evaluate cell cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed with JB6 P+ mouse epidermal cells and expressed as a relative percentage of untreated control. The results showed that rutin and rutin metabolites had no cytotoxic effects on JB6 P+ cells up to $100{\mu}M$ except for DHT (up to $50{\mu}M$). These results suggests that rutin metabolites may be utilized as a potential tyrosinase inhibitors and the whitening agents for the future.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2018

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa, located on tropical and subtropical climate zones with abundant biological resources. According to the latest version of the Flora of Taiwan, there are 4339 species of vascular plants including 1054 endemic species. First, Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides), named after its native island of Taiwan, have been isolated more than 500 secondary metabolites, including lignans, terpenoids, steroids, and flavonoids. Several of the metabolites are reported to have antibacterial, antifungal, antimite, antitermite and antitumor activities. In order to investigate plant secondary metabolic diversity toward industrial applications, we established deep transcriptome resources for non-model plants and fungi to produce terpenoid metabolites of economic importance. Second, many plants of Lauraceae have been utilized in folk medicine for their exciting bioactivities. The twigs and leaves from 27 tree species of Lauraceae grown in Taiwan were performed to evaluate potential bioactivity. The leaves of Cinnamomum osmophloeum are traditionally used in folk medicines, and many biological activities have been identified, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitermite, antidiabetic, antihyperuricemia, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, C. osmophloeum has nine chemotypes with various secondary metabolite profiles. In order to efficiently produce active compounds, we established the genetic markers to identify the chemotype plants. Finally, Cinnamomum kanehirae is the host of the medicinal mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea. Several in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that A. cinnamomea possesses a diverse range of biological activities. Because of the potential pharmacological application, we established the transformation system to enhance the triterpenoid contents production.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1571-1578
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• 2013

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, the demand for more effective and safer therapeutic agents for the chemoprevention of human cancer has increased. As a white rot fungus, Inonotus obliquus is valued as an edible and medicinal resource. Chemical investigations have shown that I. obliquus produces a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, melanins, and lanostane-type triterpenoids. Among these are active components for antioxidant, antitumoral, and antiviral activities and for improving human immunity against infection of pathogenic microbes. Importantly, their anticancer activities have become a hot recently, but with relatively little knowledge of their modes of action. Some compounds extracted from I. obliquus arrest cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase and then induce cell apoptosis or differentiation, whereas some examples directly participate in the cell apoptosis pathway. In other cases, polysaccharides from I. obliquus can indirectly be involved in anticancer processes mainly via stimulating the immune system. Furthermore, the antioxidative ability of I. obliquus extracts can prevent generation of cancer cells. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding mechanisms underlying the anticancer influence of I. obliquus, to provide a comprehensive landscape view of the actions of this mushroom in preventing cancer.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.76-79
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• 2014

In our ongoing search for structurally interesting and biologically active metabolites from Korean wild mushrooms, bioassay-guided fractionation and a chemical investigation of the MeOH extracts of the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Naematoloma fasciculare resulted in the isolation of three ergosterol derivatives, (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-diene-$3{\beta}$,$5{\alpha}$,$6{\beta}$,$9{\alpha}$-tetrol (1), (22E,24R)-$5{\alpha}$,$8{\alpha}$-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene-$3{\beta}$-ol 3-O-${\beta}$-$\small{D}$-glucopyranoside (2), and (22E,24R)-$5{\alpha}$,$8{\alpha}$-epidioxyergosta-6,9,22-triene-$3{\beta}$-ol 3-O-${\beta}$-$\small{D}$-glucopyranoside (3). The structures of 1 - 3 were determined by comparison of their spectroscopic and physical data with reported values. The isolated steroid derivatives 1 and 3 were reported for the first time from this mushroom. Compounds 1 - 3 were tested for their cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines (A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, and HCT-15).

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2023

The anti-melanogenic activity of 259 actinomycete strains was tested, and based on the results for the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity and the reduction in melanin content, Micromonospora sp. JCS1 and JCS7 were selected as the strains with the highest anti-melanogenic potential. The activity-guided fractionation of extracts from JCS1 and JCS7 led to the isolation of the dipeptides cyclo(ʟ-Phenyl alanine (Phe)-ʟ-Proline (Pro)) (1) and cyclo(ʟ-Tryptophan (Trp)-ʟ-Proline (Pro)) (2). These two compounds were tested for their inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by monitoring ʟ-DOPA levels and melanin production. Cyclo(ʟ-Phe-ʟ-Pro) (1) and cyclo(ʟ-Trp-ʟ-Pro) (2) were thus confirmed to have the potential for use in functional whitening cosmetics containing actinomycete-derived secondary metabolites.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2002

Submerged cultures of Ganoderma lucidum, a valuable mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine, were used for production of bioactive Banoderic acids and Ganoderma polysaccharides. The significant effects of oxygen supply were demonstrated in both shake flasks and bioreactors. By changing the medium loading volume in a shake flask, a different value of initial volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient ($K_L$a) was obtained, and a higher $K_L$a value led to a higher biomass density and a higher productivity of both intracellular polysaccharide and ganoderic acid. In a stirred bioreactor, at an initial $K_L$a of 78.2 $h^{-1}$, a maximal cell concentration of 15.6 g/L by dry weight was obtained, as well as a maximal intracellular polysarcharide (IPS) production of 2.2 g/L and its maximal productivity of 220 mg/(L.d). An increase of initial $K_L$a led to a higher production and productivity of GA, and the GA production and productivity at an initial $K_L$a of 96.0 $h^{-1}$ was 1.8-fold those at an initial $K_L$a of 16.4 $h^{-1}$. The fundamental information obtained in this study may be useful for efficient large-scale production of these valuable bioactive products by the submerged cultures.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.254-257
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• 2022

Owing to its excellent nutritional value, eggs are among the most important components of the human diet. Gender and environmental factors, such as feed composition, may alter the nutritional profile and quality of eggs. Feed additives have recently been used to enhance the health and productivity of hens, which has resulted in the production of higher-quality eggs. The fungus Cordyceps militaris, a well-established source of traditional medicines, contains potential bioactive metabolites, which prompted us to examine the effects of C. militaris-supplemented diets on the quality of hens' eggs. The hens of two species (Gallus gallus domesticus and Araucana) were fed with one of three different diets: a control diet and diets supplemented with 2% or 5% of C. militaris. Egg quality was determined by measuring the Haugh Unit, yolk color, and shell thickness. In addition, egg and shell densities together with the ratio of yolk to albumen were calculated. Eggshell thickness and yolk color were both enhanced by the addition of C. militaris, whereas Haugh Unit values were somewhat reduced. Egg size, eggshell weight, and yolk and albumen production were all enhanced by C. militaris supplementation. Notably, in hens fed the 2% C. militaris-supplemented diet, enhancement was more evident in the yolk than in the albumen. The overall quality of the egg yolk was enhanced when 2% C. militaris was added to the hens' diet, which led to increases in both yolk color and quantity. Eggshell thickness and weight were also higher among eggs laid by hens fed the supplemented diets. Although these effects differed depending on the chicken species, we established that, in general, C. militaris contributes to improving egg quality.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2022

Cordyceps militaris, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has multiple health-promoting effects. It is used as a herbal remedy and health food in Asian countries. Cultured mycelia are often used as a substitute for natural C. militaris. In the present study, the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris were analyzed using a metabolomics approach. The protein and crude fat contents of the mycelia were substantially higher than those of the fruiting bodies. The top three abundant amino acids in the mycelia were proline (3.9 g/100 g), aspartic acid (2.9 g/100 g), and glutamic acid (2.7 g/100 g). The carbohydrate content was similar in the fruiting bodies and mycelia. Analysis revealed that both the fruiting bodies and mycelia are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit antioxidant activity. Further, six metabolites were significantly different between the mycelia and fruiting bodies. The levels of Ca, glucose, Mg, and Se were higher in the mycelia than in the fruiting bodies. In contrast, mannitol and Zn were more abundant in the fruiting bodies. The current study provides a comprehensive metabolic profile of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris. Such an exercise is potentially important for understanding the metabolism of C. militaris and facilitating the use of cultured mycelia as a supplement to C. militaris fruiting bodies in traditional Chinese medicine.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.641-646
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• 1995

During the screening of inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis from microbial secondary metabolites, a fungal strain MR304 which was capable of producing high level of an inhibitor was selected. Based on taxonomic studies, this fungus could be classified as Trichoderma harzianum. The active compound (MR304-1) was purified from culture broth by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography, ethylacetate extraction, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographv and HPLC. The inhibitor was identified as 3-(1,5-dihvdroxy-3-isocyanocyclopent-(E)-3-envl)prop-2-enoate by spectroscopic methods of UV, ESIMS, $^{1}$H-NMR, $^{13}$C-NMR, NOE, HMQC and HMBC. MR304-1 showed strong mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC$_{50}$ value of 0.25 $\mu $g/ml. It inhibited melanin biosynthesis with 15 mm inhibition zone at 30 $\mu $g/paper disc in Streptomyces bikiniensis, a bacterium used as an indicator organism in this work. It also inhibited melanin biosynthesis in B16 melanoma cells with a niinimum inhibitory concentration of 0.05 $\mu $g/ml.