Macrolepiota procera (MP) is an edible mushroom used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and inflammation. However, the structure and biological effects of its polysaccharides (PSs) are unclear. This study investigates the structural features of a PS complex from MP (MP-PSC), its immunomodulatory activities and effects on probiotic and pathogenic bacteria. MP-PSC was obtained by boiling water, and PSs were characterized by 2D NMR spectroscopy. The immunomodulatory effects on blood and derived neutrophils, other leukocytes, and murine macrophages were studied by flow cytometry, chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, and ELISA. The total carbohydrate content of MP-PSC was 74.2%, with glycogen occupying 36.7%, followed by β-D-glucan, α-L-fuco-2-(1,6)-D-galactan, and β-D-glucomannan. MP-PSC (200 μg/mL) increased the number of CD14+ monocyte cells in the blood, after ex vivo incubation for 24 h. It dose-dependently (50-200 μg/mL) activated the spontaneous oxidative burst of whole blood phagocytes, NO, and interleukin 6 productions in RAW264.7 cells. MP-PSC exhibited a low antioxidant activity and failed to suppress the oxidative burst and NO generation, induced by inflammatory agents. It (2.0%, w/v) stimulated probiotic co-cultures and hindered the growth and biofilm development of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans and Salmonella enterica. MP PSs can be included in synbiotics to test their immunostimulating effects on compromised immune systems and gut health.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: Constantly increasing air pollution (AP) poses a concern affecting not only our health but also our skin. A typical manifestation of the skin damage induced by AP is its premature aging, irritation, skin barrier impairment, pigmentation disorders, and development or exacerbation of various skin diseases. For these reasons, it is crucial to protect the skin from the negative effects of AP. In this study, we evaluated the ability of some compounds commonly used in dermatological or cosmetic preparations with various biological activities to reduce AP-induced skin damage. METHODS: We established a new experimental model using porcine skin explants exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) in which we determined the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the stratum corneum, skin barrier lipids peroxidation, and gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 in the epidermis. Then, we tested several polysaccharides and their derivatives such as sodium hyaluronate (SH) of different molecular weight (MW, 1.6 MDa, 300 kDa, 15 kDa, 5 kDa), yeast glucomannan, schizophyllan, and carboxymethyl β-glucan, then vitamin C derivative sodium ascorbyl phosphate, niacinamide, and D-panthenol for their ability to prevent CS-induced skin damage. For the evaluation and comparison of their mechanism of action, film-forming effect was determined by TEWL and gloss measurements and the antioxidant properties were assessed by DPPH assay. RESULTS: In the skin samples exposed to CS, we observed significant negative changes such as the presence of large amount of ROS in the stratum corneum, high level of skin barrier lipids peroxidation and upregulated IL6 gene expression. Pretreatment of the skin samples with all the tested substances significantly prevented CS-induced skin damage. The most effective were high MW SH probably due to its best film-forming effect and sodium ascorbyl phosphate with the best antioxidant properties. CONCLUSION: AP leads to a significant skin damage which can be effectively prevented using some conventional cosmetic and dermatological ingredients with various mechanisms of action.
Zmijovce (Amorphophallus spp.) jsou impozantní byliny z čeledi áronovitých (Araceae). Některé druhy se v tradiční čínské medicíně používají již tisíce let, jedním z nich je Amorphophallus konjac. Jeho hlízy se používají k léčbě mnoha onemocnění a také k potravinářským účelům. Nyní jejich léčivé účinky objevuje i západní medicína, některé z nich byly potvrzeny již i v klinických studiích. Glukomannan izolovaný z hlíz zmijovce má hypolipidemický, laxativní a antidiabetický účinek, působí rovněž proti obezitě. Konjak glukomannan je možné užívat ve formě doplňků stravy, používá se rovněž jako přísada do potravin.
Voodoo lilies (Amorphophallus spp.) are imposing herbs belonging to aroid family (Araceae). Some species are used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, one of them is Amorphophallus konjac. Konjac tubers are used for treatment of many illnesses and also for food purposes. Its therapeutic effects are discovered by Western medicine now; some of them were confirmed in clinical trials. Glucomannan isolated from konjac tubers has hypolidipidemic, laxative, anti-obesity, and antidiabetic properties and can be used as dietary supplement such as food component.
Trichothecenes are a group of mycotoxins mainly produced by fungi of genusFusarium. Due to high toxicity and widespread dissemination, T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) are considered to be the most important compounds of this class. Trichothecenes generate free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce lipid peroxidation, decrease levels of antioxidant enzymes, and ultimately lead to apoptosis. Consequently, oxidative stress is an active area of research on the toxic mechanisms of trichothecenes, and identification of antioxidant agents that could be used against trichothecenes is crucial for human health. Numerous natural compounds have been analyzed and have shown to function very effectively as antioxidants against trichothecenes. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress induced by these compounds, and discuss current knowledge regarding such antioxidant agents as vitamins, quercetin, selenium, glucomannan, nucleotides, antimicrobial peptides, bacteria, polyunsaturated fatty acids, oligosaccharides, and plant extracts. These products inhibit trichothecene-induced oxidative stress by (1) inhibiting ROS generation and induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation; (2) increasing antioxidant enzyme activity; (3) blocking the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways; (4) inhibiting caspase activity and apoptosis; (5) protecting mitochondria; and (6) regulating anti-inflammatory actions. Finally, we summarize some decontamination methods, including bacterial and yeast biotransformation and degradation, as well as mycotoxin-binding agents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of antioxidant agents against trichothecenes and casts new light on the attenuation of oxidative stress.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
It is well documented that the polysaccharide glucomannan (GM), an abundant constituent of the fungal cell wall, in the form of particulate induces strong activation of phagocytes, however, the effects of soluble GM are not known. Activation of phagocyte anti-microbial mechanisms is a crucial part of the innate host defense against invading pathogens. However, under uncontrolled inflammatory conditions they contribute to damage of surrounding tissues. Thus, to prevent these deleterious effects, the activation of phagocytes is a tightly regulated process. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the effect of soluble GM on some neutrophil functions such as reactive oxygen species production, degranulation, and receptor mobilization at the plasma membrane. Soluble GM at the tested concentrations did not stimulate oxidative burst of phagocytes directly but significantly potentiated oxidative burst in response to opsonized zymosan particles. GM induced significant phosphorylation of p47phox subunit of NADPH oxidase on Ser345. This priming effect of GM was accompanied by time and concentration dependent degranulation characterized by increased surface expression of receptors stored in neutrophil granules (CD10, CD11b, CD14, CD35, and CD66b). Degranulation was further confirmed by increase of elastase activity in media. Thus, it could be suggested that soluble GM induces priming of phagocytes connected with their degranulation, the increase of surface receptor expression, and potentiation of oxidative burst response to opsonized particles through the activation of NADPH oxidase.
- MeSH
- Candida chemistry MeSH
- Phagocytes metabolism drug effects MeSH
- Phosphorylation drug effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mannans pharmacology MeSH
- NADPH Oxidases metabolism MeSH
- rac GTP-Binding Proteins metabolism MeSH
- Respiratory Burst drug effects MeSH
- Zymosan pharmacology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Glucomannans belong to yeast and fungal cell wall polysaccharides with known immunostimulatory and radioprotective effects. However, glucomannan protective effects against pathological consequences of skin exposure to short wavelength solar light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, are unclear. Herein, a highly branched glucomannan (GM) isolated from the cell wall of Candida utilis, a member of the alpha-(1-->6)-D-mannan group, was tested for its photoprotective effects in an in vitro model of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes and an in vivo model of UV-induced erythema formation in human volunteers. GM suppressed the UVB-induced decrease of keratinocyte viability, which was connected with the suppression of UVB-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. GM reduced UVB-mediated caspase activation together with suppression of DNA fragment release into the cytoplasm. Furthermore, GM suppressed UVB-induced gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers including nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukins 8 and 1, together with suppression of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin 1alpha protein release. In vivo, GM decreased UV-induced skin erythema formation, which was correlated with a decrease of phosholipase A(2) activity within the stratum corneum. It could be concluded that GM isolated from C. utilis possesses significant photoprotective effects on human keratinocytes in vitro as well as in vivo.
- MeSH
- Apoptosis drug effects radiation effects MeSH
- Biomarkers analysis MeSH
- Candida chemistry MeSH
- Erythema etiology prevention & control MeSH
- Gene Expression MeSH
- Financing, Organized MeSH
- Drug Evaluation MeSH
- Keratinocytes drug effects radiation effects MeSH
- Cells, Cultured MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mannans administration & dosage pharmacology isolation & purification MeSH
- Radiation-Protective Agents administration & dosage pharmacology MeSH
- Ultraviolet Rays adverse effects MeSH
- Cell Survival drug effects MeSH
- Inflammation MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- MeSH
- CD11b Antigen MeSH
- Biological Phenomena * MeSH
- Candida isolation & purification MeSH
- Phagocytes * physiology MeSH
- Keratinocytes immunology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mannans * immunology MeSH
- Inflammation Mediators MeSH
- Protective Agents MeSH
- Sunscreening Agents MeSH
- Cathartics MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
