Ganoderma sp., the fungal agent causing basal stem rot (BSR), poses a severe threat to global oil palm production. Alarming increases in BSR occurrences within oil palm growing zones are attributed to varying effectiveness in its current management strategies. Asymptomatic progression of the disease and the continuous monoculture of oil palm pose challenges for prompt and effective management. Therefore, the development of precise, early, and timely detection techniques is crucial for successful BSR management. Conventional methods such as visual assessments, culture-based assays, and biochemical and physiological approaches prove time-consuming and lack specificity. Serological-based diagnostic methods, unsuitable for fungal diagnostics due to low sensitivity, assay affinity, cross-contamination which further underscores the need for improved techniques. Molecular PCR-based assays, utilizing universal, genus-specific, and species-specific primers, along with functional primers, can overcome the limitations of conventional and serological methods in fungal diagnostics. Recent advancements, including real-time PCR, biosensors, and isothermal amplification methods, facilitate accurate, specific, and sensitive Ganoderma detection. Comparative whole genomic analysis enables high-resolution discrimination of Ganoderma at the strain level. Additionally, omics tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics can identify potential biomarkers for early detection of Ganoderma infection. Innovative on-field diagnostic techniques, including remote methods like volatile organic compounds profiling, tomography, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, terrestrial laser scanning, and Red-Green-Blue cameras, contribute to a comprehensive diagnostic approach. Ultimately, the development of point-of-care, early, and cost-effective diagnostic techniques accessible to farmers is vital for the timely management of BSR in oil palm plantations.
The basidiomycete fungus, Ganoderma boninense, has been identified as the main causal agent of oil palm basal stem rot (BSR) disease which has caused significant economic losses to the industry especially in Malaysia and Indonesia. Various efforts have been initiated to understand the disease and this plant pathogen especially at the molecular level. This is the first study of its kind on the development of a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated protoplast transformation system for G. boninense. Based on the minimal inhibitory concentration study, 60 µg/mL and above of hygromycin were effective to completely inhibit G. boninense growth. Approximately 5.145 × 107 cells/mL of protoplasts with the viability of 97.24% was successfully obtained from G. boninense mycelium tissue. The PEG-mediated G. boninense protoplast transformation using 1 µg of transformation vector, 25% of PEG solution, 10 min of pre-transformation incubation, and 30 min of post-transformation incubation has improved the transformation rate as compared with the previous reported protocols for other basidiomycete fungi. Optimization of four transformation parameters has improved the transformation efficiency of G. boninense from an average of 2 to 67 putative transformants. The presence of hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) genes in the putative transformants was detected by PCR and verified by gene sequence analysis. Southern hybridization result further confirmed the integration of hpt gene in G. boninense transformants, and the green fluorescent signal was detected in the G. boninense transformants under the microscopic analysis. The establishment of this transformation system will accelerate the gene function studies of G. boninense especially those genes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of this fungus in oil palm.
Východiska: Houby Reishi a Coriolus se dlouhodobě užívají v Asii k léčbě různých onemocnění, především respiračních infekcí, plicních onemocnění a v posledních letech navíc i k léčbě nádorů. Za jejich hlavní bioaktivní komponenty se považují polysacharidy a triterpeny. Preklinické i klinické studie na lidech u nich prokázaly jak imunomodulační, tak přímý protinádorový účinek. Extrakty z těchto hub jsou proto v Asii užívány v období po onkologické léčbě anebo i během ní v kombinaci s chemoterapií a radioterapií. Extrakty z Coriolu jsou již přes 30 let oficiálně schváleny v Japonsku a Číně jako účinný a současně netoxický imunostimulační doplněk léčby, podávaný zejména adjuvantně po operaci nádorových onemocnění. Cíl: Tento souhrnný článek má za cíl rozbor doposud proběhlých klinických studií s Reishi a Coriolem u onkologických pacientů a jejich metaanalýz. Závěr: Jak extrakty z Reishi, tak extrakty z Coriolu, ať již užívané v kombinaci se standardní onkologickou léčbou, anebo samostatně v období po ní, prokázaly přínos ve zlepšení imunitních funkcí, s nádory spojených příznaků a celkového stavu pacientů. Ve studiích také prodloužily přežití bez příznaků návratu onkologického onemocnění i celkové přežití. Jsou dobře tolerované dokonce u pokročilých onemocnění a lze je užívat dlouhodobě. Na základě klinicky prokázané účinnosti a bezpečnosti jsou indikovány v některých zemích jako doplňková léčba pro mnoho druhů nádorů.
Background: Mushrooms Reishi and Coriolus have been used for centuries in Asian countries to treat various diseases, mainly respiratory tract infections or pulmonary diseases, and more recently also cancers. Polysaccharides and triterpenes, which are found in these mushrooms, are their main bioactive components. Preclinical and clinical studies in humans presented their beneficial effects as immunomodulators; besides this, they possess a direct anticancer effect. In Asia, they are used after cancer treatment as single agents or in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Extracts from Coriolus have been approved for more than 30 years as an effective adjuvant addition to standard cancer treatment in Japan and China without obvious toxicity. Purpose: In this review, clinical studies with Reishi and Coriolus in cancer patients and their meta-analyses are briefly summarized. Conclusion: Both extracts from Reishi and Coriolus, if used in combination with standard therapy or as an adjuvant single agent, have shown benefits at immune function measures, tumor-related symptoms and performance status of cancer patients. Moreover, they have prolonged their disease-free interval and overall survival. They are well tolerated even in advanced cancer diseases and could be safely used continuously for long periods of time. Because of clinically approved efficacy and safety, they are applied mainly in some countries as a complementary therapy for various types of cancers.
- MeSH
- Fungal Polysaccharides therapeutic use MeSH
- Ganoderma * MeSH
- Immunization methods MeSH
- Clinical Studies as Topic MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neoplasms * therapy MeSH
- Polysaccharides therapeutic use MeSH
- Reishi * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
Medicinal Ganoderma mushrooms have long tradition in Asia, and recently they began to be consumed in Europe as well. Among hundreds of Ganoderma species, only a few of them are intensively investigated, i.e., G. lucidum and G. applanatum, whereas the chemistry and bioactivities of the other species, especially of European origin, still remain unknown. This study comprises detailed chemical analysis of two Ganoderma species growing wild in Turkey, G. pfeifferi and G. carnosum. Metal composition of both species shows high concentrations of biogenic metals. Phenolic composition of the isolated extracts of G. carnosum and G. pfeifferi shows that these species are rich in simple phenolic acids, such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic acid, but also in flavonoids. These compounds are found to be carriers of the antioxidant activity but also enzyme inhibition activity of the analyzed extracts. Overall results indicate that these two Ganoderma species have strong potential to be used for medicinal purposes.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants pharmacology MeSH
- Phenols chemistry MeSH
- Flavonoids chemistry MeSH
- Ganoderma chemistry classification MeSH
- Enzyme Inhibitors pharmacology MeSH
- Metals chemistry MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Turkey MeSH
The first-line chemotherapy of colorectal cancer (CRC), besides surgery, comprises administration of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU). Apart from cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, 5FU may also cause adverse side effects. Ganoderma Lucidum (GLC) is a mushroom used in Traditional Eastern Medicine. We propose that natural compounds, particularly GLC extracts, may sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutics. This combination therapy could lead to more selective cancer cell death and may improve the response to the therapy and diminish the adverse effects of anticancer drugs. Here we demonstrate that GLC induced oxidative DNA damage selectively in colorectal cancer cell lines, whereas it protected non-malignant cells from the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Accumulation of DNA damage caused sensitization of cancer cells to 5FU resulting in improved anticancer effect of 5FU. The results obtained in colorectal cell lines were confirmed in in vivo study: GLC co-treatment with 5FU increased the survival of treated mice and reduced the tumor volume in comparison with group treated with 5FU alone. Combination of conventional chemotherapeutics and natural compounds is a promising approach, which may reduce the effective curative dose of anticancer drugs, suppress their adverse effects and ultimately lead to better quality of life of CRC patients.
- MeSH
- Adenocarcinoma drug therapy pathology MeSH
- Cell Division drug effects MeSH
- DNA, Neoplasm drug effects MeSH
- Fluorouracil pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Neoplasm Invasiveness MeSH
- Colorectal Neoplasms drug therapy pathology MeSH
- Comet Assay MeSH
- Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
- Oxidative Stress MeSH
- DNA Damage * MeSH
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism MeSH
- Reishi chemistry MeSH
- Plant Extracts isolation & purification pharmacology MeSH
- Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor MeSH
- Drug Synergism MeSH
- Tumor Stem Cell Assay MeSH
- Tumor Burden drug effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Mice MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Keywords
- Lesklokorka lesklá, Ling-Zhi, produkty s certifikátem, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma lucidum MYCELIUM, Ganoderma lucidum SPORE POWDER,
- MeSH
- Tea MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic therapeutic use MeSH
- Phytotherapy * trends utilization MeSH
- Weight Loss drug effects MeSH
- Immune System drug effects MeSH
- Coffee MeSH
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal * pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Inactivation, Metabolic drug effects MeSH
- Metabolism drug effects MeSH
- Reishi * chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Keywords
- Lesklokorka lesklá, Ling-Zhi, Ganoderma lucidum,
- MeSH
- Tea MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic therapeutic use MeSH
- Phytotherapy * trends utilization MeSH
- Weight Loss drug effects MeSH
- Immune System drug effects MeSH
- Coffee MeSH
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal * pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Inactivation, Metabolic drug effects MeSH
- Metabolism drug effects MeSH
- Reishi * chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- MeSH
- Antioxidants physiology MeSH
- Coffee * chemistry immunology MeSH
- Leukocytes drug effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- DNA Damage drug effects MeSH
- Reishi MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- News MeSH
