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Chemical and medicobiological properties of Chaga (review)
Abstract
Data on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of chaga (Inonotus obliquus) are reviewed. The possible mechanisms of action and factors responsible for the discrepancy of data available in the literature
are discussed. The physical and chemical characteristics of melanin (polyphenolic chromogenic humin-like complex present in
chaga) and its role in the regulation of physiological processes are considered.
... Therefore, I. obliquus is often referred to as a pathogenic canker-rot fungus (Blanchette 1982;Lee et al. 2008). Several researchers have reported that the parasitic life cycle of I. obliquus in living trees displays unique features (Shashkina et al. 2006;Lee et al. 2008). The basidiospores of this fungus disperse in the air and fall onto damaged areas of living birch trees, grow into the wood, and form a mycelium. ...
... The basidiospores of this fungus disperse in the air and fall onto damaged areas of living birch trees, grow into the wood, and form a mycelium. The hyphae of the mycelium then penetrate the tree through wounds, destroy it, and form sclerotia (thick-walled black mycelia) after 10-15 years of parasitism (Shashkina et al. 2006;Lee et al. 2008). ...
... Melanin is a natural pigment produced by I. obliquus that protects its cells from sclerotia (Shashkina et al. 2006). Consistent with this enzymatic activity, we did not find any genes that encode LiP. ...
Inonotus obliquus is a pathogenic fungus found in living trees and has been widely used as a traditional medicine for cancer therapy. Although lignocellulose-degrading enzymes are involved in the early stages of host infection, the parasitic life cycle of this fungus has not been fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the activities of laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP) from I. obliquus cultivated in Kirk’s medium. The fungus was subjected to genome sequencing, and genes related to wood degradation were identified. The draft genome sequence of this fungus comprised 21,203 predicted protein-coding genes, of which 134 were estimated to be related to wood degradation. Among these, 47 genes associated with lignin degradation were found to have the highest number of mnp genes. Furthermore, we cloned the cDNA encoding a putative MnP, referred to as IoMnP1, and characterized its molecular structure. The results show that IoMnP1 has catalytic properties analogous to MnP. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed that IoMnP1 was closely related to the MnPs from Pyrrhoderma noxium, Fomitiporia mediterranea, and Sanghuangporus baumii, which belong to the same family of Hymenochaetaceae. From the above results, we suggest that IoMnP1 is a member of MnPs.
... The parasitized site on the trunk would finally develop to be a white heart rot in the appearance of shapeless black mass, and these decays typically last for more than ten years and result in the death of the host . In Northern and Eastern Europe/Asia such as Russia, Poland, Finland, Belarus, and Japan, this wood-destroying fungus has been used as a functional beverage (tea) or folk medicine (decoction, ointment) for the treatment of stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver/heart ailments, dermatomycoses, joint pains, and different kinds of cancers for centuries Koyama, 2017;Lemieszek et al., 2011;Saar, 1991;Shashkina et al., 2006;Shikov et al., 2014). In North America, the historical use for medicinal purposes (including skin irritation and arthritis) by Alaskan, First Nations and other Indigenous tribes such as Bioactive compounds and bioactive properties of chaga Peng et al. ...
... Interestingly, even though chaga has been clearly defined and classified in nomenclature and taxonomy, the misuse of the original data from the studies of others closely related species rather than the real Inonotus obliquus has frequently happened in some previous reviews (Duru et al., 2019;Zheng et al., 2010). To date, numerous studies have claimed various bioactivities, together with related molecular mechanism of chaga, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, antilipidemic, anti-inflammation, abirritative, immunoregulatory, and cardioprotective effects (Koyama et al., 2008;Patel, 2015;Shashkina et al., 2006;Zhong et al., 2009). Apparently, such a broad spectrum of biological/pharmacological functions implies the complexity of bioactive substances in chaga. ...
... phenolics, 11.63-15% ash, 0.51-8% terpenoids, 0.2-2% melanin, 2.76% lipid, 25-37.56% lignin, 2% cellulose, and 12.5% hemicellulose (Glamočlija et al., 2015;Ju et al., 2010;Kim et al., 2008b;Koyama et al., 2008;Rhee et al., 2008;Shashkina et al., 2006;Si, 2018). Regardless of the actual proportion of various compounds in chaga, the main bioactive components in various chaga extracts are polysaccharides, terpenoids, phenolics/lignin, melanin, peptides/protein, and their covalent complexes; some compounds such as alkaloids have also been reported. ...
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is an edible herbal mushroom extensively distributed in the temperate to frigid regions of the Northern hemisphere, especially the Baltic and Siberian areas. Chaga parasites itself on the trunk of various angiosperms, especially birch tree, for decades and grows to be a shapeless black mass. The medicinal/nutraceutical use of chaga mushroom has been recorded in different ancient cultures of Ainu, Khanty, First Nations, and other Indigenous populations. To date, due to its prevalent use as folk medicine/functional food, a plethora of studies on bioactive compounds and corresponding compositional analysis has been conducted in the past 20 years. In this contribution, various nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, antimutagenic activity, anti-virus, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-hyperuricemia activities/effects, as well as main bioactive compounds including phenolics, terpenoids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, and alkaloids of chaga mushroom have been thoroughly reviewed, and tabulated using a total 171 original articles. However, only key bioactivities and bioactives are selectively discussed. Besides, the up-to-date toxicity concerns and risk assessment about the misuse of chaga, which limit its acceptance and use as medicinal/nutraceutical products, have also been clarified.
... It is a parasitic white rot fungus. Its sclerotium, the asexual stage, is known as Chaga, and appears as a galllike structure with a very irregular shape (0.5-1.5 m long and 10-15 cm thick) and a cracked and deeply fissured surface on the damaged bark of living trees (Shashkina et al., 2006). It is inedible, and its growth is restricted to cold habitats of 45-50°N, including Finland, Germany and Poland (Song, 2013). ...
... It is inedible, and its growth is restricted to cold habitats of 45-50°N, including Finland, Germany and Poland (Song, 2013). Since the 16th century, Chaga has traditionally been used in Russia, Poland, and most of the Baltic states for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., gastritis, ulcers, stomach cancer), cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes, and skin problems (Shashkina et al., 2006). It is drunk as a tea, smoked, or applied topically as "soap water", in which the fungus is put directly into a fire, then stirred into hot water; the resulting black water is then used instead of soap and is believed to have a strong disinfectant property (Saar, 1991). ...
... Notably, in regions where Chaga tea is widely consumed, cancer incidence is lower than in adjacent regions. The drink is especially popular among hunters and foresters, who commonly perceive that it assuages hunger, reduces tiredness, and increases work capacity (Shashkina et al., 2006). Chaga remains very popular in Russia and is described in a monograph of the Russian Pharmacopeia. ...
Background:
The application of mushrooms for health purposes has a long tradition and is very common in Asian countries. This trend is also becoming increasingly popular in the western hemisphere. However, mushrooms from European tradition are being treated in a restrained manner despite having significant potential as drugs or as sources of pure bioactive substances.
Aim:
The present review provides an overview of the most important mushrooms used in European ethnomedical traditions and explores their pharmacological potential and the challenges for the development of new drugs from these sources of natural products.
Method:
Mushroom species were selected based on information in old herbal books and dispensaries, uninterrupted use and scientific literature in the PubMed database up to June 2019.
Results:
Traditional experiences and modern studies have demonstrated that medical mushrooms used in European traditions have promising distinct pharmacological potential mediated through defined mechanisms (anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial). However, the number of modern chemical, biological and pharmacological studies remains relatively small, and some mushroom species have not been studied at all. Unfortunately, no valid clinical studies can be found. Unlike the case with herbal and fungal drugs from traditional Chinese medicine, we are far from comprehensively exploring this potential.
Conclusions:
Mushrooms from traditional European medicine have the potential to be used in modern medicine. Considerable research, interdisciplinary collaboration, involvement of the pharmaceutical industry, time and money are necessary to explore this potential not only in the form of dietary supplements but also in the form of approved drugs.
... Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus that grows predominantly on birch trees (Betula spp.) and is gaining popularity as a promising natural source of all kinds of physiologically active metabolites. The fungus produces dark sclerotium, which has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and other northern European countries, in form of decoctions ("tea"), for treatment of stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver and heart ailments, as well as different kinds of cancer [5][6][7]. Recent studies revealed that Chaga has a huge medical potential, showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, hypolipemic, hypoglycaemic and antimicrobial activity [5]. The identified active principles of Chaga extracts include polysaccharides, terpenoids and various phenolic structures, including watersoluble polymeric pigments [5,[7][8][9][10]. ...
... Recent studies revealed that Chaga has a huge medical potential, showing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, hypolipemic, hypoglycaemic and antimicrobial activity [5]. The identified active principles of Chaga extracts include polysaccharides, terpenoids and various phenolic structures, including watersoluble polymeric pigments [5,[7][8][9][10]. Although the use of bioactive extracts of natural origin is a growing area of interest in both developing and developed countries, potential issues with such products may be long-term instability, low bioavailability and short-term effects [11]. ...
... The yield of hot water extraction in the present study was 19.8 wt% (Table 1), although some sources state that water extractable compounds make up to 40 wt% of Chaga sclerotium [7]. Carbohydrates made up the greatest part of the extract, 57 wt%, while proteins accounted for 7 wt% of the extract. ...
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus, which has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and other northern European countries in the treatment of cancer, gastrointestinal andliver diseases. It has been a subject of intensive researchrecently, confirming many of its health-beneficial effects. In order to obtain a product that would allow modified and prolonged release of the Chaga’s active metabolites, hot water Chaga extract was immobilized using calcium - alginate. The extract, which was predominantly composed of carbohydrates (57 %), also contained a relatively high amount of antioxidants/phenolic compounds (130 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of dry extract) and exhibited pronounced radical scavenging activity. It showed significant antibacterial activity as well, inhibiting growth of tested bacterial strains at concentrations of 1.25-20 mg/mL. Entrapment efficiency was about 80 %, and the extract-alginate system showed pH-dependant extract release; there was negligible release at pH 1.75 (gastric pH), and the release gradually increased with the increase in pH, reaching ~43 % of immobilized extract at pH 8.5 after 90 min. Such a product could be used as a dietary supplement, adjuvant in therapy of gastrointestinal diseases or as a food additive. [Project of the Serbian
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no.
III46010]
... Extracts from this species are administered in gastro-intestinal tract diseases and complex anti-cancer treatments [2]. The therapeutic activity of the extracts is, to a great degree, provided by the main component-fungal melanin, the content of which is about 50-60% of extractive substances [3]. Fungus melanins consist of pigment parts in which terpenoids, steroids, neutral lipids, phenolic compounds and others, as well as proteins and polysaccharides are localized [4]. ...
... M2 melanin concentration reduction to 10 −13 g/cm 3 (Figure 2) by 24 h of cultivation allowed an increase in the viable cells number by 15.3% in comparison with the control. M3 melanin in concentration of 10 −10 g/cm 3 and M2 melanin concentration of 10 −5 g/cm 3 (Table 6) demonstrated close results, however, for further investigations, M2 melanin was chosen due to simpler production technology, with one stage, which allows energy to be saved [14]. Table 7 shows that the initial potential of the melanin-supplemented medium is more than what the control has, and by 24 h of incubation of B. bifidum 1 it becomes smaller compared to the control. ...
... M2 in concentrations of 10 −13 g/cm 3 and 10 −5 g/cm 3 promotes vital activity of the B. bifidum 1, increasing the viable cell amount by 24 h of cultivation compared to the control by 15.3% and 10.4%, in case of B. animalis subsp. lactis activation by 9.7% and 11.0% in concentrations of 10 −10 g/cm 3 and 10 −5 g/cm 3 . ...
Extracts and melanins from Inonotus obliquus are widely used in medicine due to their high antioxidant properties. This study is dedicated to define the influence of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Inonotus obliquus melanins and their bifidogenic effects on Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. For this purpose, melanins precipitated from Inonotus obliquus aqueous extracts, obtained by a few methods, and separated melanin fractions by organic solvents were used. For the melanin physicochemical properties analysis spectrophotometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering methods were applied. Melanins and their fractions difference in particle size and charge, antioxidant properties, and redox potential were revealed. It was shown that the redox potential, the size of melanin particles and the z-potential had maximum influence on bifidobacteria growth. The greatest activating effect on bifidobacteria was established by using melanin isolated from aqueous microwave extracts in concentrations of 10−13, 10−10, 10−5 g/cm3. The use of this melanin with antioxidant activity 0.67 ± 0.06 mg/g (expressed as ascorbic acid equivalent), and with redox potential −5.51 ± 2.22 mV as a prebiotic allowed the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 s to increase by 1.4 times in comparison with ascorbic acid by 24 h of cultivation.
... It is generally found in boreal forests in extremely cold climates, such as Russia, China, and North America [43,44]. It mainly grows as a wood-destroying parasite on tree trunks rich in the pentacyclic triterpenoid, a betulinic acid that is the extractive component of bark of trees in the Betulaceae family, such as white birch (Betula papyrifera), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), black birch (Betula nigra), and ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) [45]. In general, medicinal mushrooms, including chaga, are currently used as dietary supplements and pesticides [46]. ...
... Most of the biological activities of these compounds come from their radical quenching ability (antioxidant activity) and their ability to diminish oxidative stress in cells attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals, leading to stress-induced diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and Parkinson's disease [46]. However, the chemical composition and biological activity vary depending on the extraction method, age of harvested chaga, and part of chaga used [45]. A quick survey of the chaga-based products available at local farmers' markets and on various websites suggests that a lot of interest has recently been focused on the commercialization of chaga as a dietary health supplement for the management of several chronic diseases. ...
Lignin-poly(ethylene)glycol diglycidyl ether hydrogels were synthesized from lignin fractions readily extracted during the hot-water treatment of angiosperms: hardwoods, sugar maple and energy-crop willow, monocotyledons, grasses, miscanthus and agriculture residues, and wheat straw. These lignins represent a broad range of chemical structures and properties as a comparative analysis of their suitability to produce the hydrogels as a novel carrier of chaga–silver nanoparticles. The formation of hydrogels was assessed via attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. Then, the hydrogels were observed via scanning electron microscopy and evaluated for their free-absorbency capacity and moduli of compression. Furthermore, a hydrogel produced from kraft lignin and two commercial hydrogels was evaluated to benchmark the effectiveness of our hydrogels. Chaga extracts were prepared via the hot-water extraction of chaga mushroom, a method selected for its relatively higher yields and preserved antioxidizing activities. Hydrogels synthesized with lignins of monocotyledons, wheat straw, and miscanthus were found to be suitable carriers for chaga–silver nanoparticles due to their favorable absorption and release behaviors.
... (Beech) Chaga parasites themselves develop shapeless black masses (Lee et al., 2008). In many countries of Northern and Eastern Europe/Asia, this fungus has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of different diseases such as liver-heart diseases, joint pains, dermatomycoses, different kinds of cancers, stomach diseases, and intestinal worms (Saar, 1991, Babitskaya et al., 2002, Shashkina et al., 2006, Lemieszek et al., 2011, Shikov et al., 2014, Koyama, 2017. ...
... Chaga's scientific name is Inonotus obliquus, but other names have also been sporadically used, such as Polyporus obliquus, Fuscoporia oblique, or Phaeoporus obliquus (Reid, 1976, He et al., 2001. Numerous studies have claimed several bioactivities of Cha ga, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti -inflammatory, anticancer, and immunoregulatory (Shashkina et al., 2006;Koyama et al., 2008;Zhong et al., 2009, Patel, 2015. ...
ABSTRACT:
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is
available as a herbal and edible mushroom
widely distributed in different regions,
especially temperate regions. Chaga
parasites on the trunk of angiosperms and
grows, forming an irregular black mass. The
medical importance of Chaga has been
reported from ancient cultures to data due to
its activity against a wide range of diseases.
In the present study, the ethyl acetate extract
of the Chaga mushroom has been tested
against two bacterial pathogens,
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and
Salmonella typhimurium ATCC14028. The
antimicrobial activity of the extract showed
high activity with inhibition zone diameters of
25 mm for S. aureus and 28 mm for S.
typhimurium and minimum inhibitory
concentration (MICs) of 3.125 µg/ml for both
bacterial pathogens. GC-MS analysis of the
extract revealed several compounds with
seven major compounds; they are 3-
pentanone, propyl butyrate, Ethyl propionate,
Trimethylsilylmethanol, Neopentyl glycol, n�butyl acetate, and 1-butanol-3-methyl acetate.
The antibacterial mode of action of Chaga
extract was also elucidated by studying the
effect of the extract on cell membrane
permeability and recoded high effect on
bacterial cell membrane permeability, which
was confirmed by transmission electron
microscope (TEM) images that revealed
leakage of bacterial cell content outside the
cells and death
... Attributed by its global anecdotal evidence of medicinal proper-Peng et al. Qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites of chaga mushroom ties, chaga has been used as a functional beverage (tea) or folk medicine (decoction, ointment) for the treatment of stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver/heart ailments, dermatomycoses, joint pain, and different types of cancer in the East European countries for centuries (Babitskaya et al., 2002;Koyama, 2017;Lemieszek et al., 2011;Peng and Shahidi, 2020;Saar, 1991;Shashkina et al., 2006;Shikov et al., 2014). To date, numerous studies have claimed various bioactivities, together with related biomolecular mechanism of chaga, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, antilipidemic, anti-inflammation, abirritative, immunoregulatory, and cardioprotective effects (Koyama et al., 2008;Patel, 2015;Peng and Shahidi, 2020;Shashkina et al., 2006;Zhong et al., 2009). ...
... Qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites of chaga mushroom ties, chaga has been used as a functional beverage (tea) or folk medicine (decoction, ointment) for the treatment of stomach diseases, intestinal worms, liver/heart ailments, dermatomycoses, joint pain, and different types of cancer in the East European countries for centuries (Babitskaya et al., 2002;Koyama, 2017;Lemieszek et al., 2011;Peng and Shahidi, 2020;Saar, 1991;Shashkina et al., 2006;Shikov et al., 2014). To date, numerous studies have claimed various bioactivities, together with related biomolecular mechanism of chaga, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, antilipidemic, anti-inflammation, abirritative, immunoregulatory, and cardioprotective effects (Koyama et al., 2008;Patel, 2015;Peng and Shahidi, 2020;Shashkina et al., 2006;Zhong et al., 2009). Such a broad spectrum of biological/pharmacological functions implies the complexity of bioactive substances in chaga, although related clinical data are relatively scarce. ...
Chaga mushroom is a black perennial fungus that usually parasites on adult birch tree trunks. It has been conventionally used as a health-promoting supplement and nutraceutical in different cultures for centuries. The desired clarification of the profile of chaga secondary metabolites responsible for various bioactive properties has been continuously pursued for decades but has only partially been unveiled. Meanwhile, in recent years, attention to food safety, quality stability, authentication, and sustainability of chaga products from the wild has become increasingly popular in the current commercial market and related small/medium-size food industry enterprises. Phenolic, hydroxylated fatty acid, and terpenoid compounds produced by sclerotia of chaga mushrooms are bioactive constituents with antioxidant, anti-microorganism, and anti-tumor activities. Some new secondary metabolites of chaga mushroom have occasionally been reported previously, and effects of environment (e.g., cultivation method, harvesting region) on compositional characteristics noted. However, these have rarely and systematically compared the compositions of their material with a reliable database of known secondary metabolites of chaga. Therefore, this study aimed to achieve a rapid screening and characterization of secondary metabolites of Newfoundland chaga. A total of 111 phenolic, 63 fatty/aromatic acid, and 108 terpenoid constituents was primarily identified using HPLC-ToF-MS (high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled with time-of-flight mass spectra), among which 161 were newly reported. In addition, an update of the compositional database of chaga was provided as supplementary materials to help utilization and development of Newfoundland chaga mushroom as edible-fungi. Conclusively, chaga mushroom is a very promising food supplement abundant in numerous fungal secondary metabolites that were rarely found in other edible materials, even though its safety (e.g., oxalate content) aspects is still in need of additional investigation for being considered as a viable commercial nutraceutical.
... The nitrogen content of different types of chaga is about 0.5%; the obtained data are in supplement (Supplementary material, Appendix 3, Figure C2.). Similar results have also been found by other authors [59]. However, the 21OA sample has a high amount of nitrogen which means that a lot of nitrogen compounds from oats were assimilated during the growth process. ...
... Natural chaga contains about 0.5% nitrogen, 0.03% sulphur and 0.02% phosphorus. This also confirmed by data from the literature [59]. Another source has studied the cultivation of I. obliquus mycelium on rice grains and their quality characteristics. ...
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) (Fr.) Pilát is a black perennial fungus that grows on adult birch trunks and has been traditionally used as a health promoting remedy in different countries. The lipophilic compounds of chaga were isolated applying conventional (Soxhlet), intensive (ultrasound assisted, accelerated solvent extraction) and environmentally friendly (supercritical fluid) extraction methods utilizing both polar and non-polar solvents. Soxhlet extraction showed the highest inotodiol yield (231 mg/100 g chaga) using cyclohexane. For authentication of chaga samples, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and multi-elemental analysis was performed. The extraction yield and profile of lipids, sterols and triterpenoids depend on the chaga origin. The amount of lipids in chaga samples varied in the range from 0.5 to 1.0%. The antimicrobial activity of chaga extracts against pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms was demonstrated. The results showed that extraction using supercritical CO2 delivered yields comparable to those obtained by conventional and intensive extraction techniques. Amount of target compounds (sterols and triterpenoids) obtained using supercritical CO2 extraction could represent the future for sustainable industrial-scale production of biologically active ingredients with antimicrobial activity. Authentication using IRMS allowed to differentiate between natural (fruiting bodies) and cultivated (mycelium) chaga.
... COVID-19 is considered as a life-threatening disease, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [133]. To date, it has been accounted as a global public health emergency and declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) as there is no specific antiviral treatment available in the modern medicine system [5,19]. ...
... Inonotus obliquus commonly known as Chaga is a parasitic fungus mainly of Birch (Betulaceae) trees with numerous biological properties [132,133]. Commonly used as a folk remedy in Russia and other northern European countries for various disorders affecting the digestive system, it is now widely studied for its numerous potential applications in the medical field. The most used formulations are powder, aqueous extract and hydroalcoholic extract. ...
... COVID-19 is considered as a life-threatening disease, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [133]. To date, it has been accounted as a global public health emergency and declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) as there is no specific antiviral treatment available in the modern medicine system [5,19]. ...
... Inonotus obliquus commonly known as Chaga is a parasitic fungus mainly of Birch (Betulaceae) trees with numerous biological properties [132,133]. Commonly used as a folk remedy in Russia and other northern European countries for various disorders affecting the digestive system, it is now widely studied for its numerous potential applications in the medical field. The most used formulations are powder, aqueous extract and hydroalcoholic extract. ...
Clinical interest in the human gut microbiota has increased considerably, because of the increasing number of studies linking the human intestinal microbiota and microbiome to an ever increasing number of non-communicable diseases. Many attempts at modulating the gut microbiota have been made using probiotics and prebiotics. However, there are other avenues that are still little explored from a clinical point of view that appear promising to obtain modifications of the microbial ecology and biological activities connected to the microbiome. This chapter summarizes all in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies demonstrating the possibility to positively modulate the intestinal microbiota by using probiotics, foods (and prebiotics), essential oils, fungus and officinal plants. For the future, clinical studies investigating the ability to modify the intestinal microbiota especially by using foods, officinal and aromatic plants or their extracts are required. More knowledge in this field is likely to be of clinical benefit since modulation of the microbiome might support the therapy of most non-communicable diseases in the future.
... The English name "Chaga" is derived from the Siberian word "Czaga." which originated from the Komi Permyak language, spoken by the indigenous people of the Kama River Basin, in the West Uralian region of the country (Shashkina et al., 2006). The fungus was first identified and described by Persoon (1801), who named it Boletus obliquus, then it was later renamed ...
... Previous studies have indicated that Chaga contains various bioactive components with different chemical characteristics and polarities (Duru et al., 2019;Shashkina et al., 2006). Accordingly, extraction of bioactive compounds from Chaga using various solvents leads to separate extracts with different profiles. ...
Inonotus obliquus, commonly known as Chaga, is a fungal pathogen of birch trees, known to synthesize a range of phenolic compounds with remarkable health benefits. These presumed medicinal properties have generated increased interest in Chaga consumption. Prior research has demonstrated the diverse chemical composition of Chaga sourced from a variety of geographical locations. However, to our knowledge, there is currently no available literature regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds from Chaga grown in the United States. Additionally, the effect of the extraction method on the antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties specifically, has yet to be validated. Therefore, the present study was developed to examine the effects of extraction conditions on phenolic compounds in Maine sourced Chaga and correlate these findings to anti-inflammatory benefits. A high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) method was developed to determine the phenolic acids content in Chaga. The method demonstrated good linearity (0.994-0.999) and precision within (RSD ≤ 3) and between (RSD ≤ 4.2) -day precisions. The procedure also produced good recovery within (≥ 90.1) and between (≥88.5) -day precisions, as well. The majority of phenolic acids were extracted from the base hydrolysis fraction (2794.91 μg/g). The response surface methodology (RSM) was also applied to establish optimum extraction conditions to obtain phenolic-rich extracts. Results indicate that an extraction temperature of 170°C and ethanol concentration of 66% were optimal for recovering phenolic compounds, with a total phenolic content (TPC) value of 39.32 mg GAL/g DW and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of 76.59%. The extractions that produced the highest yields of TPC and DPPH were then assessed for the ability to remediate inflammation using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results showed various Chaga extracts have significant antiinflammatory activity on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect was evident through a decrease in the production of nitric oxide (NO) and down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-β (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Therefore, findings confirm that Maine harvested Chaga demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties. However, the phenolic yields (total phenolic acids and TPC) and antioxidant activity are highly dependent upon the extraction methodology.
... In this study, we identified Inonotus obliquus extract as a potent melanogenesis inhibitor, because it decreases the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the synthetic pathway of melanin. Inonotus obliquus is commonly known as chaga mushroom, which is used as a natural medicine in many countries, such as Japan, China, Russia, and the Baltic countries [10]. Inonotus obliquus extract has been evaluated as a traditional and natural source of bioactive compounds for many centuries and has recently been used as a potential ingredient in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. ...
... There are numerous products from natural sources, such as foods, fruits, and plants, which are being exploited in pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, and many potential products have yet to be investigated or used [8,9,19]. Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom and is use in traditional oriental therapy and several nutritious foods [10]. Inonotus obliquus extract has been reported to have physiological functions, such as anticancer, homeostatic, antiviral, and antioxidant effects [11][12][13][14][15]. ...
Melanogenesis is a biosynthetic pathway that produces the pigment melanin in human skin. The catalyzation of the key enzyme tyrosinase is the first step in melanogenesis, and the downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity is the most reported method for inhibiting melanogenesis. Hyperpigmentation is an important issue in the cosmetic industry, and there is great demand for melanogenesis inhibitors. In the present study, we demonstrated the anti-melanogenic effect of Inonotus obliquus in alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and identified it as a new melanogenesis inhibitor. Comparing the B16F10 cells treated with the control and the Inonotus obliquus extract, we identified the melanin contents, mRNA and protein expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase activity, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) activity using a constructed plasmid. Through these experiments, we confirmed that Inonotus obliquus extract inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity and expression of tyrosinase. Furthermore, we revealed that tyrosinase expression is regulated by Inonotus obliquus extract via the repression of Mitf transcriptional activity. Thus, in this study, we found that Inonotus obliquus extract has anti-melanogenic effects via the suppression of melanin synthesis. Taken together, we demonstrated that Inonotus obliquus extract is a good potential candidate for use as a natural source for the therapeutic treatment of hyperpigmentation and for applications in whitening cosmetic products.
... In Japan, consumers prefer tea made from Inonotus obliquus powder because this drinking method is not only simple but also can effectively lower blood sugar levels and enhance immunity, which is very suitable for the health and wellness needs of modern fast-paced life [50]. In South Korea, by incorporating Inonotus obliquus extract into daily foods, such as biscuits and candies, consumers are provided with a healthy and convenient way of eating [67]. In China, Wang et al. developed a Chaga lactic acid bacteria beverage through optimization experiments [68]. ...
Chaga, also known as Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát, belongs to the genera Basidiomycotina, Hymenomycetes, Hymenochaetales, Hymenochaetaceae, and Inonotus. Chaga is a brown polypore fungus that mostly grows under the bark of white birch and silver birch trees. It forms sarcoma-like sclerotia when the bark is damaged. It mainly grows in Northern Europe at the 40° to 50° north latitude, Siberia and the Far East in Russia, Hokkaido in Japan, and the Changbai Mountain area of the Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province in China. Chaga has various pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory. Inonotus obliquus, an edible fungus with the same origin as medicine and food, has attracted more and more attention. At present, Chaga has become a raw material with great potential for developing functional foods. In this article, Chaga’s blood sugar-lowering function, functional ingredients, and blood sugar-lowering mechanism and the development status of Chaga functional foods are reviewed and Chaga’s future development is analyzed and forecast.
... I. obliquus, also known as Chaga, is a parasitic species most often found on birches and other trees in the forests of the Circumboreal Region of the Northern Hemisphere. Although well-known in traditional medicine, chemical analysis revealed that I. obliquus produces diverse secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, melanins, and triterpenes (1,2), thus represents a source of valuable antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and immunostimulating components (3). ...
This study aimed to develop a single quality index of Serbian (IS) and Mongolian (IM) Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) extracts obtained by different types of extraction. Microwave-assisted extraction (MW), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (VAE), and supercritical water extraction (SWE) were used to prepare the extracts. Seven quality parameters of a mushroom extract were considered, including the free radical scavenging capability determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH?) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS?+) assays, the ability to chelate ferrous ions (Fe2+), as well as the total amount of phenolic compounds, proteins, polysaccharides, and glucans. The mentioned parameters were used to define the total quality index (TQI). Based on TQI scores SWE can be recommended as the most effective type of extraction (favors the yield) of total phenolic compounds (TPC), total extracted proteins (TEP), total polysaccharides (TPS), total glucans (TG), and antioxidant assays. Finally, TQI results for seven quality parameters, derived from six Chaga samples using SWE at 200?C, showed the best overall quality for both the IS and IM extracts.
... Mushrooms are well-known for their medical uses [17]. They are thought to possess numerous therapeutic benefits, such as antitumoral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and numerous additional features [18]. One of the active components with a high molecular weight in Chaga mushrooms is β-glucan (BG) [19][20][21]. ...
Asthma is a severe respiratory disease marked by airway inflammation, remodeling, and oxidative stress. β-Glucan (BG), a polysaccharide constituent of fungal cellular structures, exhibits potent immunomodulatory activities. The investigational focus was on the anti-asthmatic and anti-ferroptotic properties of beta-glucan nanoparticles (BG-NPs) in a murine model of allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA). BG was extracted from Chaga mushrooms (Inonotus obliquus), and its BG-NPs were characterized utilizing techniques including FT-IR, UV visible spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, DLS, XRD, and TEM. The Balb/C mice were allocated into five groups: control, untreated asthmatic, dexamethasone (Dexa)-treated (1 mg/kg), BG-treated (100 mg/kg), BG-NPs-treated (45 mg/kg), and BG-treated (100 mg/kg). Treatment with BG-NPs markedly diminished the entry of inflammatory cells into the respiratory passage, serum IgE concentrations, DNA damage, and markers of oxidative stress through the reduction of malonaldehyde (MDA) levels and enhancing the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, BG-NPs reduced iron deposition and promoted the transcriptional activity of the GPx4 gene in pulmonary cells, attenuating ferroptosis. The results demonstrated that BG-NPs reduced asthma by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and ferroptosis. Our results suggest that BG-NPs could be used as potential treatments for allergic asthma.
Graphical abstract
... Health care professionals are increasingly incorporating mushroom-based supplements into their practices, acknowledging their role in promoting health and potentially aiding in the treatment of diseases (Gupta et al. 2020). Nevertheless, despite this keen interest, the exploration of medicinal fungi in European countries has been relatively confined to certain areas or specific fungal species, such as Inonotus obliquus (Shashkina et al. 2006;Szychowski et al. 2021) and Amanita muscaria (Biziulevičius and Vaitkuviene 2007;Feeney 2013). ...
Fungi have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. This study, based on 35 historical written sources and 581 in-depth semi-structured interviews from eight countries in the western borderlands of the former Soviet Union, investigates the medicinal use of fungi by local communities. We compared the taxa and uses obtained from fieldwork and historical sources with works that advocated fungi use within Soviet herbals, representing the centralised medical system. During fieldwork, we identified eight locally used fungi and one lichen. The highest numbers of medicinal uses were documented in Russia, Estonia and Ukraine. Studies published before the Soviet era listed 21 fungal taxa and one lichen species used in the study region. However, only six of these taxa were mentioned as used by people in our field studies (Amanita muscaria, Boletus edulis, Lycoperdon, Morchella, Phallus impudicus and Cetraria islandica). Notably, these same six taxa were consistently endorsed in Soviet herbals. Of the remaining three taxa recorded in the fieldwork, none were mentioned in historical written sources. However, they were promoted either in Soviet herbals (Inonotus obliquus, Kombucha) or later popular publications (Cantharellus cibarius). This highlights the significant influence of written sources on the use of fungi for medicinal purposes within the studied local communities.
... Known as the chaga mushroom, the medicinal fungus Inonotus obliquus has been used as a folk medicine in parts of Europe and Russia. It is a fungal parasite composed of biologically active polysaccharides and triterpenoids and recognized for its health-beneficial properties, such as anticancer, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities (Kim et al., 2005;Shashkina et al., 2006;Lee et al., 2007). In a study conducted by Najafzadeh et al. (2007), human lymphocytes from patients with IBD had oxidative stress induced by H 2 O 2 (in vitro), which is known to cause destabilization of the DNA structure by breaking their strands (Limoli and Giedzinski, 2003). ...
... Chemical studies have also shown that Chaga contains significant levels of polyphenols such as lignin, inonoblins, phelligridins (Shashkina et al., 2006, Lee et al., 2007 and small phenolic compounds such as syringol and vanillic acid (Mazurkiewicz, 2006). Polyphenols are well-known to act as antioxidants, which scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). ...
Glycation reactions between proteins and sugars or their metabolites produce advanced glycation end-products, and the glycation of collagen in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) causes skin spots and freckles. UV exposure induces oxidative stress in NHDF, which overexpresses enzymes that degrade collagen, resulting in dry skin and wrinkling. Herein, we produced a novel polyphenolic decoction of Chaga mushroom extracted with a fermentation medium. Chaga polyphenol decoction (CPD) inhibited the glycation of albumin and collagen gel 3 to 4 times more than 2-aminoguanidine. The antioxidant effects of CPD were investigated using the fluorescence of an intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and NHDF exposed to UV-A for 60 min (9.5 J/cm2) after pre-treatment with 190 µg/mL of CPD suppressed ROS scavenger emission by 50 % compared to treatment with phosphate buffer saline. These results suggest that CPD might be a promising glycation inhibitor and ROS scavenger.
... Humic substances include a variety of chromogenic, or pigmented, organic molecules that are primarily distributed in soils, rivers, oceans, and iterations of coal (Jung et al., 2021). They are also found in small quantities in Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), though this iteration contains almost no nitrogen in contrast to primary reservoirs of humic substances (Shashkina et al., 2006). ...
This clinical review presents what is known about the antiviral features of humic substances (HS) to the benefit of the clinical healthcare provider using available data in humeomics, the study of the soil humeome. It provides the reader with a working framework of historical studies and includes clinically relevant data with the goal of providing a broad appreciation of the antiviral potential of humic substances while also preparing for a translational leap into the clinical application of humic acid.
... Previous studies have shown that chaga (Inonotus obliquus) contains various bioactive components with a range of chemical characteristics and polarities [5][6][7]. Accordingly, extraction of bioactive compounds from chaga requires various solvents targeted to specific chemical profiles. For example, petroleum ether and chloroform are used to extract lanostane-type triterpenoids from chaga; whereas water and aqueous alcohol are suitable solvents targeted for polysaccharides, melanin pigments, and phenolic compounds [8,9]. ...
Chaga, a sclerotia formed by the Inonotus obliquus fungus, has been widely recognized for a number of medicinal properties. Although numerous scientific investigations have been published describing various biological activities of chaga from different geographical locations, little work has focused on chaga harvested in the USA or extraction techniques to maximize anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of chaga collected in Maine (USA) extracted using traditional aqueous (hot water steeping) methods against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Chaga extracts obtained from both conventional (ethanol/water) extraction methods and an accelerated solvent extraction method (ASE) at optimized conditions were compared to aqueous extracts (tea) obtained from chaga in the powder form (P) and powder form in tea bags (B) based on their effect on both nitric oxide (NO) production and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, in particular, the expression of TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-β (IL-1β). Phenolic acid extracts from chaga and individual phenolic acid standards were also investigated for their effect on the same parameters. Results indicated that various chaga extracts have significant anti-inflammatory activity on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect was through a decrease in the production of NO and the downregulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in RAW 264.7 macrophages. ASE1 (novel, optimized ethanol/water extraction) and P6 (six-minute steeping of powder in 100 °C water) extracts showed the highest inhibitory activity on NO production and on the expression of the inflammatory cytokines, compared to extracts obtained by conventional extraction methods.
... Taken together, these results showed that H. erinaceus effectively modulates the GM of colitic animals, restoring a microbial composition similar to that of healthy rodents (Ren et al., 2018). Inonotus obliquus commonly known as Chaga is a parasitic fungus mainly of Birch trees (Betulaceae family) with numerous biological properties, and has been commonly used as a folk remedy in Northern European countries for various disorders affecting the digestive system (Shashkina et al., 2006;Balandaykin and Zmitrovich, 2015). The most used formulations are powder, aqueous extract and hydroalcoholic extract, which can be titrated in polysaccharides, beta-glucans, alpha-glucans and polyphenols. ...
Pharmaceutical interest in the human intestinal microbiota has increased considerably, because of the increasing number of studies linking the human intestinal microbial ecology to an increasing number of non-communicable diseases. Many efforts at modulating the gut microbiota have been made using probiotics, prebiotics and recently postbiotics. However, there are other, still little-explored opportunities from a pharmaceutical point of view, which appear promising to obtain modifications of the microbiota structure and functions. This review summarizes all in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies demonstrating the possibility to positively modulate the intestinal microbiota by using probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, essential oils, fungus and officinal plants. For the future, clinical studies investigating the ability to impact the intestinal microbiota especially by using fungus, officinal and aromatic plants or their extracts are required. This knowledge could lead to effective microbiome modulations that might support the pharmacological therapy of most non-communicable diseases in a near future.
... Regarding vitamins, Chaga contains B vitamins such as vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), vitamins A, and vitamin K [15]. Besides the abundance of these vitamins, Chaga also contains significant levels of dietary phenolics which also act as antioxidants [16]. Considering the rich myconutrient composition of Chaga, there is great interest in the food and nutraceutical industries to find suitable food-grade, green extraction techniques that will permit the recovery of high contents of these mycochemicals from Chaga for applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmacological formulations or innovations. ...
Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green extraction systems capable of extracting these bioactive compounds from dietary mushrooms for applications in various food, pharmacological, or nutraceutical formulations. Herein, we evaluated a modified Swiss water process (SWP) method using alkaline and acidic pH at low and high temperature under pressurized conditions as a suitable green food grade solvent to obtained extracts enriched with myco-nutrients (dietary phenolics, total antioxidants (TAA), vitamins, and minerals) from Chaga. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRAMS-MS/MS) was used to assess the phenolic compounds and vitamin levels in the extracts, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the mineral contents. Over 20 phenolic compounds were quantitatively evaluated in the extracts and the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) was observed at pH 11.5 at 100 °C. The most abundant phenolic compounds present in Chaga extracts included phenolic acids such as protocatechuic acid 4-glucoside (0.7–1.08 µg/mL), syringic acid (0.62–1.18 µg/mL), and myricetin (0.68–1.3 µg/mL). Vitamins are being reported for the first time in Chaga. Not only, a strong correlation was found for TPC with TAA (r-0.8
... The term is mainly used to describe plant-based natural products such as ginseng that reduce a broad range of stresses [78]. However, it also encompasses extracts from several fungi that have shown benefits in traditional medicine, such as reishi and chaga [79,80]. ...
Truffles are the fruiting bodies of ascomycete fungi that form underground. Truffles are globally valued, culturally celebrated as aphrodisiacs, and highly sought-after delicacies in the culinary world. For centuries, naturalists have speculated about their mode of formation, and in cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, many species have been prized as a delectable food source. Truffle fruiting bodies form underground and emit a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truffle volatiles are believed to have evolved to attract animals that disperse their spores. The main VOCs identified from truffles include sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS); in addition, 1-octen-3-ol and 2-methyl-1-propanol have been found in most truffle species. Humans use pigs and dogs trained to detect truffle VOCs in order to find these prized subterranean macrofungi. Truffles have pharmacological potential, but until more reliable cultivation methods become available their high price means they are unlikely to see widespread use as medicinals.
... Innotus obliquus extracts have been used in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and the Baltic States for their beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and cardiac function, as well as for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity [49]. Common birch species are used in traditional medicine with a very wide geographical distribution. ...
... Innotus obliquus extracts have been used in China, Korea, Japan, Russia, and the Baltic States for their beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and cardiac function, as well as for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity [49]. Common birch species are used in traditional medicine with a very wide geographical distribution. ...
... For all the fungi employed in this study specimen were deposited in the EMPA St. Gallen culture collection library. The selection of basidiomycetes investigated (cf. Figure 5 and Table 2) in this study was based on their reported pharmaceutical properties (Grienke et al. 2014;Wasser 2010;Rowan et al. 2003;Wasser & Weis 1999;Molitoris 2005;Tel-Çayan et al. 2015;Shashkina et al. 2006;Sanodiya et al. 2009;Motwani et al. 2008). Due to the large number of basidiomycetes with reported pharmaceutical activity, the investigations were geographically restricted to forms native to Europe. ...
This thesis demonstrates the pharmaceutical potential of aqueous extracts of European polypores as well as their effects on the inflammatory response and their anti-thrombogenic properties. Furthermore the feasibility of producing an enzyme functionalised antibacterial nanofibrous wound dressing containing active constituents of polypores that participate in the healing process is demonstrated.
... Chaga has been used since the 12th century in Siberia, as an edible medicinal mushroom for the prevention and treatment of cancer, as an antitubercular, to cure digestive disorders, or to prevent cardiac or hepatic illnesses [10]. Its bioactive components exhibit antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as antioxidative properties [11]. Regarding the chemical analyses of Chaga, the polyphenols, triterpens, and polysaccharides could be liable for its therapeutic properties [12]. ...
The health benefits of natural products have long been recognized. Consumption of dietary compounds such as supplements provides an alternative source of natural products to those obtained from the diet. There is a growing concern regarding the possible side effects of using different food supplements simultaneously, since their possible interactions are less known. For the first time, we have tested genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Biochaga, in combination with dihydroquercetin. No genotoxic effect on whole blood cells was observed within individual treatment of Biochaga (250 μ g/mL, 500 μ g/mL and 1000 μ g/mL) and dihydroquercetin (100 μ g/mL, 250 μ g/mL and 500 μ g/mL), nor in combination. Afterwards, antigenotoxic potency of both supplements against hydrogen peroxide- (H 2 O 2 -) induced DNA damage to whole blood cells (WBC) was assessed, using the comet assay. Biochaga and dihydroquercetin displayed a strong potential to attenuate H 2 O 2 -induced damage on DNA in cells at all tested concentrations, with a statistical significance ( p<0.05 ), whereas Biochaga at the dose of 500 μ g/mL in combination with dihydroquercetin 500 μ g/mL was most prominent. Biochaga in combination with dihydroquercetin is able to protect genomic material from oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro .
... This mushroom also contains flavonoids (e.g., flavonols, flavones, catechols, and anthocyanin), hemicellulose (~12.5%), and cellulose (~2%; Shashkina, Shashkin, & Sergeev, 2006). The chemical evaluation of some of the bioactive constituents of I. obliquus is shown in figure is expected to surge to 629 million by 2045 (IDF, 2017). ...
The use of mushrooms as functional foods and in the treatment of diseases has a long history. Inonotus obliquus is a mushroom belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family and has possible anticancer, antiviral, and hypoglycemic properties. Chemical analysis of this mushroom has allowed the identification of various constituents such as melanins, phenolic compounds, and lanostane-type triterpenoids. A plethora of findings have highlighted the potential molecular mechanisms of actions of this mushroom such as its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, inhibit the growth of tumors, decrease inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, and stimulate the immune system. This review summarizes the relevant findings with reference to the therapeutic potential of this mushroom in countering the progression of cancers, diabetes mellitus, and antiviral activities, while highlighting its possible molecular mechanisms of action. The possible role of this mushroom as a therapeutic agent in addressing the pathogenesis of diabetes and cancer has also been suggested.
... The I. obliquus mushroom belongs to the Hymenochaetaceae family and prefers to grow on the trunks of mature birch trees [185]. This mushroom contains phenolic substances, like melanins and lanostane-type triterpenoids, which are responsible for the antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, anticancer, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects on this species [75,186,187]. ...
This chapter provides comprehensive insight into the application of seaweed, mushrooms, and their derivatives as potential prebiotics, with a special focus on their immunomodulatory and growth-enhancing effects. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are among the most studied additives to animal feed, and they demonstrate promising immunomodulatory effects. Mushrooms and seaweed have been evaluated as sources of natural bioactive compounds for centuries. These feed additives have recently received an increasing amount of attention as potential natural prebiotics in aquaculture. They are a rich source of important biological nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin D, and various proteins. They also contain many bioactive compounds that possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties, as well as anticoagulant, antiviral, and apoptotic activities. Previous studies on seaweed and mushrooms revealed their promising effects on growth performance, feed utilization, immune response, and disease resistance in a number of fish and shellfish species. The chapter begins with a brief description of important mushroom and seaweed compounds and their functions, with a special focus on their bioactive components. It then presents the findings of relevant clinical studies, as well as selected research on aquatic animals. Finally, it continues with perceived gaps in current research and some issues that warrant further investigation.
Hymenochaetaceae is a large and noteworthy family of macrobasidiomycetes predominantly growing on woody plants. Several Hymenochaetaceae members have a long history of recognition in traditional medicine and modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated their therapeutic properties. This review comprehensively surveys the studies on biological activities and mycochemical compounds reported from the Hymenochaetaceae species so far. There are 124 potential species from 27 genera in Hymenochaetaceae with at least one bioactive metabolite and/or biological property. A diverse range of metabolites were found (ca. 500 compounds) classified mainly into terpenoids, styrylpyrones, steroids, phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds. Numerous novel sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and styrylpyrones have been isolated from the family. Medicinal properties cover a range of about 100 types of bioactivities, more predominantly antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. The role of Hymenochaetaceae members in aesthetic medicine is also discussed. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions reveal that the medicinal species are distributed in 27 monophyletic clades, and 20 medicinal species are types of their respective genera (generic types). So far most of medicinal Hymenochaetaceae species are shown to be distributed in Asia, particularly in China. Considering the drawbacks imposed by improper characterization of MYCOSPHERE 15(1): 6347-6438 (2024) www.mycosphere.org ISSN 2077 7019 Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/15/1/27 ARTICLE 6348 Hymenochaetaceae isolates in biomedical studies, general recommendations are given with the aim of encouraging greater focus on accurately identifying the medicinal fungal species.
Background
The Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom that grows on mature birch trees and is commonly used in traditional medicine for various ailments. The current study aimed to explore the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and pancreatic protective effects of the water extract of Mongolian natural Inonotus obliquus on alloxan-induced diabetic mice.
Methods
Alloxan monohydrate (200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally single injected into C57BL/6 mice to induce diabetes. Alloxan-induced diabetic mice were orally given the water extract of inonotus obliquus (WEIO) at doses of 500 mg/kg and subcutaneously administered with insulatard 0.6 IU for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the levels of factors related to blood glucose, insulin and lipids were assessed.
Results
WEIO significantly restored body weight, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance ability, and increased insulin levels compared to the control diabetic mice. WEIO also enhanced cholesterol transportation in the liver, correlated with increased HDL-C levels and decreased TC, TG and LDL-C levels. Histologic examinations revealed that WEIO alleviated alloxan-induced pancreatic tissue damage.
Conclusions
Natural Mongolian I. Obliquus water extracts have an antihyperglycemic effect and enhance islet cell function in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. It is a good candidate for a hypoglycemic functional food or medicine.
Представлены результаты изучения свойств порошков из трутовика косого, измельченного молотковой мельницей. Среднемассовый диаметр образцов изменяется в диапазоне 3,15 – 4,46 мкм, а площадь удельной поверхности – в диапазоне 1,87 – 2,37 м2/см3. Гранулометрический состав образцов характеризуются бимодальным распределением: наряду с относительно крупными частицами размером 30–50 мкм, присутствуют нитевидные частицы микронного размера. Влажность образцов составляла от 10,2 до 13,6 %, а экстрактивность – от 16,6 до 22,7%. Методом синхронного термического анализа установлено наличие четырехстадийного процесса при нагревании образцов на воздухе. Первая стадия связана с процессом дегидратации, а три последующих – с окислением образцов. Образцы начинают окисляться при температуре 231–235 °С.
The results of studying the properties of powders from an oblique tinder fungus, ground by a hammer mill, are presented. The mass-average diameter of the samples varies in the range of 3.15 - 4.46 μm, and the specific surface area - in the range of 1.87 - 2.37 m2/cm3. The particle size distribution of the samples is characterized by a bimodal distribution - along with relatively large particles of 30-50 μm in size, there are micron-sized filamentary particles. The moisture content of the samples ranged from 10.2 to 13.6%, and the extractiveness from 16.6 to 22.7%. Using the method of synchronous thermal analysis, the four-stage process was established when samples were heated in air. The first stage is associated with the dehydration process, and the next three - with the oxidation of the samples. Samples begin to oxidize at a temperature of 231-235 °C.
桦树茸又称桦褐孔菌 [Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát] 属担子菌亚门（Basidiomycotina）、层菌纲（Hymenomycetes）、锈革孔菌目（Hymenochaetales）、锈革菌科（Hymenochaetaceae）、褐卧孔菌属（纤孔菌属）（Inonotus）。桦树茸为褐色的多孔菌，多生于白桦树、银桦树等的树皮下，在树皮破损处形成肉瘤状的菌核。桦树茸的产地主要分布在北纬40°至50°的北欧、俄罗斯西伯利亚和远东、日本北海道以及中国黑龙江和吉林的长白山地区，因其具有抗肿瘤、降血糖、抗病毒、抗炎等多种药理活性作用，这种药食同源的食用真菌正日益受到人们的关注。目前，桦树茸已经成为一种极具开发潜力的功能食品原料。本文综述了桦树茸降低血糖的功能、功能成分、降血糖机理以及桦树茸功能食品的开发现状并对其未来发展做出分析与展望。
桦树茸又称桦褐孔菌 [Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát] 属担子菌亚门（Basidiomycotina）、层菌纲（Hymenomycetes）、锈革孔菌目（Hymenochaetales）、锈革菌科（Hymenochaetaceae）、褐卧孔菌属（纤孔菌属）（Inonotus）。桦树茸为褐色的多孔菌，多生于白桦树、银桦树等的树皮下，在树皮破损处形成肉瘤状的菌核。桦树茸的产地主要分布在北纬40°至50°的北欧、俄罗斯西伯利亚和远东、日本北海道以及中国黑龙江和吉林的长白山地区，因其具有抗肿瘤、降血糖、抗病毒、抗炎等多种药理活性作用，这种药食同源的食用真菌正日益受到人们的关注。目前，桦树茸已经成为一种极具开发潜力的功能食品原料。本文综述了桦树茸降低血糖的功能、功能成分、降血糖机理以及桦树茸功能食品的开发现状并对其未来发展做出分析与展望。
Systemic oxidative stress stemming from increased free radical production and reduced antioxidant capacity are common characteristics of obese individuals. Using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce DNA damage in vitro, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from obese subjects and controls, the DNA protective ability of dihidroqercetin (DHQ) and biochaga (B) alone or in combination, were evaluated. The effects of DHQ and B were estimated under two experimental conditions: pre-treatment, where cells were pre-incubated with the substances prior to H2O2 exposure; and post-treatment when cells were first exposed to H2 H2O2, and further treated with the compounds. DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay. The results of pre- and post-treatment showed a significant decrease in DNA damage produced by H2O2 in the obese group. This decrease was not significant in control group probably due to a small number of subjects in this pilot study. More prominent attenuation was noted in the pre-treatment with DHQ (250 μg/mL). Analysis of antioxidant properties revealed that DHQ’s remarkable reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, and potent ∙OH scavenging properties may contribute to strong attenuation of H2O2 induced DNA damage. Also, B showed strong reducing power, DPPH, and ∙OH scavenging ability, while reducing power and DPPH scavenger effects were increased in the presence of DHQ. Conclusively, DHQ and B may reduce H2O2-induced DNA damage in PBMCs from obese subjects when challenged in vitro, and could be valuable tools in future research against oxidative damage-related conditions.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. Recent research has provided increasing support for the significance of phytochemicals, both dietary and non-dietary, particularly triterpenoids, in the mitigation and management of breast cancer. Recent studies showed that triterpenoids are promising agents in the treatment and inhibition of breast cancer achieved through the implementation of several molecular modes of action on breast cancer cells. This review discusses recent innovations in plant triterpenoids and their underlying mechanisms of action in combating breast cancer within the timeframe spanning from 2017 to 2023. The present work is an overview of different plant triterpenoids with significant inhibition on proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance, tumor angiogenesis, or metastasis in various breast cancer cells. The anticancer impact of triterpenoids may be attributed to their antiproliferative activity interfering with angiogenesis and differentiation, regulation of apoptosis, DNA polymerase inhibition, change in signal transductions, and impeding metastasis. The present review focuses on several targets, mechanisms, and pathways associated with pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are responsible for their anticancer effects. We could conclude that natural triterpenoids are considered promising agents to conquer breast cancer.
Graphical Abstract
Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) is an inexpensive fungus with a broad range of traditional and medicinal applications. These applications include therapy for breast, cervix, and skin cancers, as well as treating diabetes. However, its benefits are virtually untapped due to a limited understanding of its mycochemical composition and bioactivities. In this article, we explore the ethnobotany, mycochemistry, pharmacology, traditional therapeutic, cosmetic, and prospective agricultural uses. The review establishes that several secondary metabolites, such as steroids, terpenoids, and other compounds exist in chaga. Findings on its bioactivity have demonstrated its ability as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor agent. The study also demonstrates that Chaga powder has a long history of traditional use for medicinal purposes, pipe smoking rituals, and mystical future forecasts. The study further reveals that the applications of Chaga powder can be extended to industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and agriculture. However numerous publications focused on the pharmaceutical benefits of Chaga with few publications on other applications. Overall, chaga is a promising natural resource with a wide range of potential applications and therefore the diverse array of therapeutic compounds makes it an attractive candidate for various applications such as plant biofertilizers and active ingredients in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Thus, further exploration of Chaga’s potential benefits in agriculture and other industries could lead to exciting new developments and innovations.
Inonotus obliquus, also known as Chaga, is a medicinal mushroom that has been used for therapeutic purposes since the sixteenth century. Collections of folk medicine record the application of Chaga for the treatment of diseases such as gastrointestinal cancer, diabetes, bacterial infection, and liver diseases. Modern research provides scientific evidence of the therapeutic properties of I. obliquus extracts, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, renoprotective, anti-fatigue, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, polyphenols, and lignin metabolites have been found to be responsible for the health-benefiting properties of I. obliquus. Furthermore, some studies have elucidated the underlying mechanisms of the mushroom’s medicinal effects, revealing the compounds’ interactions with enzymes or proteins of important pathways. Thus, this review aims to explore available information on the therapeutic potentials of Inonotus obliquus for the development of an effective naturally sourced treatment option.
Despite its disadvantages, chemotherapy is still commonly used for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Developing natural supplements that can target cancer stem cells (CSCs) which cause drug resistance and distant metastasis is necessary. Chaga mushrooms are popular to have several health-promoting and anti-cancer potentials. Organoid culture can recapitulate tumor heterogeneity, epithelial environment, and genetic and molecular imprints of the original tissues. In the previous study, we generated dog bladder cancer organoids (DBCO) as a novel experimental model of muscle-invasive BCO. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the anti-tumor potentials of Chaga mushroom extract (Chaga) against DBCO. Four strains of DBCO were used in the present study. Treatment with Chaga inhibited the cell viability of DBCO in a concentration-dependent way. Treatment of DBCO with Chaga has significantly arrested its cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Expression of bladder CSC markers, CD44, C-MYC, SOX2, and YAP1, declined in the Chaga-treated DBCO. Also, Chaga inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK in DBCO. Expression of downstream signals of ERK, C-MYC, and Cyclins (Cyclin-A2, Cyclin-D1, Cyclin-E1, and CDK4) was also inhibited by Chaga in DBCO. Interestingly, the combinational treatment of DBCO with Chaga and anti-cancer drugs, vinblastine, mitoxantrone, or carboplatin, showed a potentiating activity. In vivo, Chaga administration decreased tumor growth and weight of DBCO-derived xenograft in mice with the induction of necrotic lesions. In conclusion, Chaga diminished the cell viability of DBCO by inhibiting proliferation-related signals and stemness conditions as well as by arresting the cell cycle. Collectively, these data suggest the value of Chaga as a promising natural supplement that could potentiate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy, lower its adverse effects, and thus, limit the recurrence and metastasis of BC.
Birch chaga Inonotus obliquus is used as a component of many medicines. This is due to the versatile therapeutic effect associated with the content of a large number of biologically active substances of inorganic, organometallic and organic nature, a high content of macro- and microelements both in a free state and in the form of chelate complexes. To establish the qualitative and quantitative elemental composition of birch chaga, highly sensitive physicochemical methods of analysis were used, such as atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and neutron activation analysis (NAA). The scientific novelty of this study lies in the conduct of a complex physicochemical elemental layer-by-layer analysis of chaga, the analogs of which have not been found in the available literature. The analyzed samples of birch chaga layers contain the following elements: K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mo, Co, Cr, P, Br, Se, V, Al, Ba, Li, Ag, Au, Rb, Cs, As, Sb, B, Sr, Pb, Ni, Ti, Be, Ta, U, Th, Sc; the concentration of elements is highest in the outer layer of the fungus. It is noted that the content of both biogenic elements (K, Co, Mn) and potentially toxic (Ag, Br, Rb) is significantly higher than the corresponding clarkes in bios. Differences in the content of elements correlate with modern biochemical concepts of the composition of chaga, and in most cases also correlate with the values of clarkes in bios. The value of the detected toxicant elements does not exceed the MPC.
Background
Chaga mushroom [Inonotus obliquus] is an edible macrofungus used in traditional and folk medicine for treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders. It has shown potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects in several experimental studies including our anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects in colorectal cancer and intestinal inflammation. Whole extract or purified compound ergosterol peroxide from chaga mushroom showed anti-inflammatory mechanism via suppression of NF-κB/iNOS-COX-2 and growth inhibitory mechanism via regulation of apoptosis activation and β-catenin suppression. The emergence of diverse inflammatory and carcinogenic agents like carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] is a potent hepatotoxic chemical that caused liver damage by inducing lipid peroxidation and other oxidative damages.
Aims
The study was aimed to analyze the biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanism of CCl4 induced chronic liver inflammation and carcinoma and to analyze the effect of the extract of chaga mushroom on liver inflammation and cancer by virtue of anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Method
Physiological, histological and immunohistochemical the physiological functions and cellular functions. Biochemical assays for assessing enzymatic changes in tissues. Molecular simulation and docking studies were performed for proposing the molecular interaction.
Results
CCl4-exposed mice exhibited a significant decrease in the body weight followed by altered histopathological signatures in the liver. Supplementation of IOAE showed that treatment restored towards normal structure of the tissues with large round nuclei in most of the cells. CCl4 caused a steep elevation in the levels of SGOT and SGPT to 2.32- and 1.8-fold as compared to control. The LDH level was increased to 447 IU/L in CCl4 treated mice as compared to control [236 IU/L]. Analysis of the oxidant enzyme pathway showed that CCl4 reduced the GSH level to 16.5 μM as compared to control [52 μM], and induced the catalase enzyme activity to 259 U/mL as compared to control [124 U/L]. These physiological and biochemical alterations were restored towards normal levels by IOAE administration. Immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and p53 showed that CCl4 notably increased their expressions which were subsequently suppressed by administration of IOAE. The molecular simulation and docking studies using ergosterol peroxide from chaga mushroom with iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α showed binding energy of -10.5, -8.9 and -9.1 Kcal/mol, respectively. These proteins interacting with ergosterol peroxide suggests an inhibitory effect on these critical proinflammatory signaling proteins.
Conclusions
The results point out that IOAE is able to prevent damage of hepatic cells caused by CCl4 in mouse models through anti-inflammatory and growth inhibitory mechanism which can be utilized in natural prevention of the liver toxicity.
Inonotus obliquus is pathogenic fungus on living trees and has been widely used as a traditional medicine for cancer therapy. Although it has been reported that lignocellulose-degrading enzymes are involved in the early stage of host infection, the parasitic life cycle of this fungus has not been fully clarified. In the present study, we investigated the activities of lignin-degrading enzymes from I. obliquus and analyzed the degradation products. Our results revealed that I. obliquus is a pathogenic canker-rot fungus that does not produce lignin peroxidase (LiP), yet is capable of degrading the non-phenolic unit of lignin. The draft genome sequence of this fungus consisted of 21,203 predicted protein coding genes, of which 136 genes were estimated to be related to wood degradation. Furthermore, we found genes encoding putative versatile peroxidase (VP) and dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP), which are considered to be involved in the degradation of the non-phenolic unit of lignin. Thus, we cloned the cDNA encoding putative VP, referred as IO-Px, and characterized its molecular structure. From the above results, we suggested that: 1) IO-Px is a new member of MnP, and 2) the ability of I. obliquus to degrade non-phenolic lignin unit might arise from DyP properties.
Mushrooms have long rich history in folk medicine, traditional and functional foods due to high content of dietary myco-nutrients. Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green ex-traction systems capable of extracting these bioactive compounds from dietary mushrooms for applica-tions in various food, pharmacological or nutraceutical formulations. Herein, we evaluated a modified Swiss water process (SWP) method using alkaline and acidic pH at low and high temperature under pressurized conditions as a suitable green food grade solvent to obtained extracts enriched with my-co-nutrients (dietary phenolics, total antioxidants (TAA), vitamins, and minerals) from Chaga. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRAMS-MS/MS) was used to assess the phenolic compounds and vitamin levels in the extracts, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the mineral con-tents. Over twenty phenolic compounds were quantitatively evaluated in the extracts and the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed at pH11.5 at 100°C. The most abundant phenolic compounds present in Chaga extracts included phenolic acids such as protocatechuic acid 4-glucoside (0.7-1.08µg/mL), syringic acid (0.62-1.18µg/mL), and myricetin (0.68-1.3µg/mL). Vitamins are being reported for the first time in Chaga. pH 2.5 at 100°C treatment shows superior effects in extracting the B vitamins whereas pH 2.5 at 60 and 100°C treatments were outstanding for extraction of total fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin E content was the highest for the fat-soluble vitamins in the Chaga extract under acidic pH (2.5) and high temp. (100°C) and ranges between 50 to 175 µg/100g Chaga. Antioxidant minerals ranged from 85.94 µg/g (pH7 at 100°C) to 113.86 µg/g DW (pH2.5 at 100°C). High temperature 100°C and a pH of 2.5 or 9.5. The treatment of pH11.5 at 100°C was the most useful for recovering phenolics and antioxidants from Chaga including several phenolic compounds reported for the first time in Chaga. SWP is being proposed herein for the first time as a novel, green food-grade solvent system for the extraction of myco-nutrients from Chaga and have potential applications as a suitable approach to extract nutrients from other matrices. Chaga extracts enriched with bioactive myconutrients and antioxidants may be suitable for further use or applications in the food and nutraceutical industries.
Medicinal fungi have diverse biological properties such as anti-inflammatory,
anticancerous, antidiabetic, and antioxidative activities. Mushrooms are known to
possess bioactive molecules, i.e., polysaccharides like β-glucans, triterpenoids,
and antioxidants. These molecules are known to have therapeutic activities
including immunomodulation. Among these medicinal mushrooms, species of
Ganoderma like G. lucidum, commonly called as Reishi (traditional Chinese
medicine), has shown a potential anticancer activity. Polysaccharides extracted
from this mushroom show anticancer activity through immunomodulation.
Chaga, Inonotus obliquus, is another mushroom been used as a folk medicine
against cancer. Cordyceps is one of the most important health foods of humans,
which grows on larvae of moths and converts each larva into a sclerotium, from
which the stroma and fruit body grows. Another medicinal mushroom, Phellinus
linteus containing Beta D-Glucan and lectin was shown to have
immunomodulating effects. Xylaria is commonly known as dead man finger
fungus, some of its species producing sesquiterpenes have been used as medicine
for treating insomnia and depression. The purpose of this review is to summarize
information regarding pharmacologically important compounds from medicinal
fungi.
Chaga mushrooms are widely used in folk remedies and in alternative medicine. Contrary to many beneficial effects, its adverse effect is rarely reported. We here report a case of end-stage renal disease after long-term taking Chaga mushroom. A 49-year-old Korean man with end stage renal disease (ESRD) was transferred to our hospital. Review of kidney biopsy finding was consistent with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with oxalate crystal deposits and drug history revealed long-term exposure to Chaga mushroom powder due to intractable atopic dermatitis. We suspected the association between Chaga mushroom and oxalate nephropathy, and measured the oxalate content of remained Chaga mushroom. The Chaga mushroom had extremely high oxalate content (14.2/100 g). Estimated daily oxalate intake of our case was 2 times for four years and 5 times for one year higher than that of usual diet. Chaga mushroom is a potential risk factor of chronic kidney disease considering high oxalate content. Nephrologist should consider oxalate nephropathy in ESRD patients exposed to Chaga mushrooms.
Inotodiol is a lanostane triterpenoid found only in Chaga mushroom. In the previous study investigating anti-allergic effects of fractionated Chaga mushroom extracts, we have found evidence that purified inotodiol holds an activity to suppress the mast cell function in vivo. To address the therapeutic relevance of the finding, in this study, we investigated whether inotodiol could also alleviate allergy symptoms observed in a chicken ovalbumin (cOVA)-induced mouse model of food allergy. Like the crude 70% ethanol extract of Chaga mushroom (320 mg/kg), oral administration of inotodiol (20 mg/kg), regardless of whether that was for preventive or treatment purpose, resulted in a significant improvement in allergic symptoms and inflammatory lesions in the small intestine appearing after repeated oral challenge with cOVA. Despite the results that inotodiol (20 mg/kg) and the Chaga mushroom extract (320 mg/kg) took effect to a similar extent, immunological mechanisms underlying those effects were found to be distinct from each other. That is, the results obtained from several in vivo assays, including mast cell-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis, activation/proliferation of adoptively transferred antigen-specific T cells and immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgE, IgA) production by antigen-specific B cells, illustrated that inotodiol selectively inhibited the mast cell function without having any noticeable effect on other immune responses while the crude Chaga mushroom extract indiscriminately suppressed diverse immune responses. The strong anti-allergic activity of inotodiol, along with its remarkable selectivity to mast cell, makes it an excellent therapeutic candidate for food allergy with both high efficacy and outstanding safety.
Chaga mushrooms, the sclerotium of Inonotus obliquus, have been used in Mongolia as a traditional hair shampoo to maintain healthy hair. Bioassay-guided fractionations of the extract of Chaga mushrooms using a proliferation assay on human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) gave five lanostane-type triterpenes (1–5), whose structures were identified by spectroscopic evidence. Among these, lanosterol (1), inotodiol (3), lanost-8,24-diene-3β,21-diol (4), and trametenolic acid (5) demonstrated proproliferative effects on HFDPCs more potent than minoxidil, an anti-alopecia agent, used as the positive control. The lanostane-type triterpenes (1, 3, 4, and 5) appeared to be potential candidates of new agents possibly used for hair-care with a stimulative effect on hair growth.
Positive effect of localization and bringing out of 90Sr from organism were gained in the series of experiments on the rats Wistar after using per orum alcohol extract, water suspension and water extract of Inonotus obliquus (Chaga). Everyday orum infusion of Inonotus water extract into the BALB-line mice under conditions of a prolonged (during two months) external total γ-irradiation with power dose 0.025 sGr/min has a positive effect on increase an average life duration, are slow down the development of leycopenia, hold lipid peroxide oxidation in the blood and in critic tissues and the R-proteins in blood serum on the level, close to the intact control; appearance, activity and behavior of the animals were the same.
Growth medium of Inonotus obliquus exerts antimitotic effect on HeLa cells mostly in M, G1 and G2 phases increasing at the same time catalase activity. This effect was not observed in prokaryotic Nocardia. Significant antimitotic effect of mycelium was not associated with stimulation of catalase activity in HeLa cells.
The effect of aqueous extract from Inonotus obliquus on the mitotic index and some enzyme activities in human cervical uteri tumour cells HeLa S3 in vitro was evaluated. It was concluded that Inonotus extract inhibited the growth of tumour cells. The fungal extract caused a decrease of the cell protein amount and mitotic index value. Moreover, this extract disturbed metabolism in cells caused decreased activity of LDH, HBDH, MDH, GGT and increasing the activity of catalase.
The fungus Inonotus obliquus (Pers.) Pil. synthesised high-molecular-weight phenolic pigments that were assigned to melanins according to their physicochemical properties. It was showed that copper ions (0.008%), pyrocatechol (1.0 mM), and tyrosine (20.0 mM) stimulated the melanogenesis. The production of melanin correlated with the synthesis of o- and p-diphenoloxidases. The fungal melanin had strong antioxidant and genoprotective effects.
Physicochemical properties of pigments isolated from the naturally occurring sterile form of Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pil. known as Chagi and comprising the major constituent of the medicine befungin were compared with those of melanins synthesized by this fungus in the culture in order to develop a new medicine. Elemental and functional group analyses, as well as UV-visible, IR, and EPR spectra, and thermolysis studies revealed structural differences in these pigments and allowed for assignment of the naturally produced melanin to allomelanins, whereas that of cultivated fungus was assigned to eumelanins.
Three samples of high-molecular-weight humin-like substances were obtained by solid-phase cultivation of Coriolus hirsutus and/or Cerrena maxima on oat straw. The yield of humin-like substances amounted to 1.38-2.26% of the weight of the plant substrate consumed. These substances, produced both by individual and mixed cultures of the basidiomycetes, were shown to be similar in their structure and physicochemical properties. According to the data of IR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, the substances contained aromatic fragments and were close to soil humic acids. Studies of the dynamics of laccase production suggested that the humin-like substances were produced bia direct degradation of lignin macromolecules with direct involvement of extracellular laccase.
This review describes biologically active natural products isolated from Aphyllophorales, many of which are known as polypores. Polypores are a large group of terrestrial fungi of the phylum Basdiomycota (basidiomycetes), and they along with certain Ascomycota are a major source of pharmacologically active substances. There are about 25 000 species of basidiomycetes, of which about 500 are members of the Aphyllophorales, a polyphyletic group that contains the polypores. Many of these fungi have circumboreal distributions in North America, Europe, and Asia and broad distributions on all inhabited continents and Africa; only a small number of the most common species with the most obvious fruiting bodies (basidiocarps) have been evaluated for biological activity. An estimated 75% of polypore fungi that have been tested show strong antimicrobial activity, and these may constitute a good source for developing new antibiotics. Numerous compounds from these fungi also display antiviral, cytotoxic, and/or antineoplastic activities. Additional important components of this vast arsenal of compounds are polysaccharides derived from the fungal cell walls. These compounds have attracted significant attention in recent years because of their immunomodulatory activities, resulting in antitumor effects. These high molecular weight compounds, often called biological response modifiers (BRM), or immunopotentiators, prevent carcinogenesis, show direct anticancer effects, and prevent tumor metastasis. Some of the protein-bound polysaccharides from polypores and other basidiomycetes have found their way to the market in Japan as anticancer drugs. Finally, numerous compounds with cardiovascular, phytotoxic, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, insecticidal, and nematocidal activities, isolated from polypores, are also presented. In fact many of the fungi mentioned in this paper have long been used in herbal medicine, including polypores such as Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Ling Zhi), Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken-of-the-Woods), Trametes versicolor (Yun Zhi), Grifola umbellata (Zhu Lin), Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), and Wolfiporia cocos (Hoelen).
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