Understanding the Health Benefits of a Medicinal Mushroom's Natural Compounds

Jim Crocker
29th June, 2024

Understanding the Health Benefits of a Medicinal Mushroom's Natural Compounds

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from Xihua University and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine studied polysaccharides from the medicinal fungus Amauroderma rugosum (AR)
  • They isolated four polysaccharide fractions (ARP-0, ARP-1, ARP-2, ARP-5) with different sugar compositions and molecular weights
  • Among these, only ARP-5 significantly inhibited the formation of new blood vessels, a process linked to diseases like cancer
  • ARP-5 blocked the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway, which is crucial for blood vessel formation, in both human cells and zebrafish embryos
Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a medicinal fungus often used as an alternative to the well-known Ganoderma lucidum. However, comprehensive research on its bioactive polysaccharides and their biological activities has been limited. A recent study conducted by researchers from Xihua University and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine provides new insights into the primary structure and anti-angiogenic activities of polysaccharide fractions extracted from AR (ARPs)[1]. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a process that, when uncontrolled, can contribute to various diseases, including cancer and age-related macular degeneration. The study aimed to isolate different polysaccharide fractions from AR and evaluate their effects on angiogenesis. The researchers successfully isolated four polysaccharide fractions: ARP-0, ARP-1, ARP-2, and ARP-5. These fractions were found to be heteropolysaccharides, meaning they are composed of different types of sugar molecules. Each fraction had distinct molecular weights, monosaccharide compositions, and micromorphologies, indicating diverse bioactive profiles. The study's findings showed that among the four fractions, only ARP-5 exhibited significant anti-angiogenic activity. When human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with ARP-5, the fraction inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a signal protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels, and its overactivity is a hallmark of pathological angiogenesis. Additionally, ARP-5 was found to impede angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos, a common model for studying blood vessel formation. Further analysis revealed that ARP-5 downregulated the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. VEGFR2 is the receptor for VEGF, and its activation is crucial for angiogenesis. By blocking this pathway, ARP-5 effectively inhibited the formation of new blood vessels. These findings suggest that ARP-5 exerts its anti-angiogenic activities by interfering with the VEGF/VEGFR2-mediated signaling pathway. Previous studies have highlighted the diverse pharmacological properties of AR. For instance, AR has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer effects[2]. Additionally, AR fruiting bodies have shown cardiovascular benefits, including antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects[3]. The current study builds on these findings by identifying a specific polysaccharide fraction with potent anti-angiogenic properties, thereby expanding the therapeutic potential of AR. Moreover, a mycochemical investigation of AR led to the isolation of various compounds, including sterols and unsaturated fatty acids, which exhibited anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities[4]. The identification of ARP-5 as an anti-angiogenic agent adds another layer of understanding to the bioactive components of AR and their potential health benefits. In conclusion, the study conducted by researchers from Xihua University and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine provides valuable insights into the anti-angiogenic properties of polysaccharide fractions isolated from AR. The identification of ARP-5 as a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis highlights the potential of AR as a source of new therapeutic agents for diseases associated with excessive blood vessel formation. By elucidating the primary structure and bioactivity of ARPs, this research paves the way for further development and utilization of AR in medical applications.

MedicineBiochemMycology

References

Main Study

1) Physicochemical characterization and anti-angiogenesis activity of polysaccharides from Amauroderma rugosum, a medicinal and edible mushroom.

Published 26th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133478

Related Studies

2) A review of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Amauroderma rugosum.

https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.12554

3) Antioxidative and Inhibitory Effects of the Fruiting Body of Black Lingzhi Mushroom, Amauroderma rugosum (Agaricomycetes), on LDL Oxidation and HMG-CoA Reductase Activity.

https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2017024374

4) A Mycochemical Investigation of the Black Lingzhi Mushroom, Amauroderma rugosum (Agaricomycetes), Reveals Several Lipidic Compounds with Anti-Inflammatory and Antiproliferative Activities.

https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2021037977


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