Rao-Chi Chien

Anti-Inflammation Properties of Fruiting Bodies and Submerged Cultured Mycelia of Culinary-Medicinal Higher Basidiomycetes Mushrooms

This research shows the phenolic composition and anti-inflammation properties of fruiting bodies and mycelia of 15 strains of 12 species of higher Basidiomycetes medicinal mushrooms. In this research, 15 extracts were prepared and their effects on inflammation-related mediators in RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated. In the extracts, amounts of total phenols ranged from 8.47 to 70.32 gallic acid equivalents mg/g and amounts of flavonoids ranged from 0.13 to 15.21 rutin equivalents mg/g. The production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 was decreased at different levels by these extracts, whereas the production of interleukin-10 was increased by 6 of the extracts. Overall, Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies, Grifola frondosa fruiting bodies, and Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelia might be used to ameliorate inflammatory responses.

Apoptotic Effect of Taiwanofungus salmoneus (Agaricomycetes) Mycelia and Solid-State Fermented Products on Cancer Cells

Because of the high incidence of and high mortality rates associated with cancer, effective therapy for cancer is currently an imperative issue. Taiwanofungus salmoneus, a medicinal mushroom indigenous to Taiwan, has been demonstrated to exhibit various physiological activities and harmless effects. The bioactive compounds and anticancer abilities of T. salmoneus mycelia and fermented products were evaluated in this study. Total phenols, flavonoids, and ergothioneine were detected in mycelia and fermented products, and the amount of ergothioneine was evaluated in buckwheat (56.25-118.64 μg/g extract) and oats (53.60-138.70 μg/g extract) after fermentation. Results showed that T. salmoneus-fermented buckwheat and oats exhibited better apoptotic effects on Sk-Hep-1 and Caco-2 cells than sorafenib and celecoxib via receptor-linked apoptosis and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, T. salmoneus-fermented buckwheat may have potential for replacing anticancer drugs or for consumption as a dietary supplement to retard cancer development.

Anti-Inflammation and Lipogenic Inhibition of Taiwanofungus salmonea Mycelium and Grifola frondosa Fruiting Body

A long-term inflammatory response can cause the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is mainly caused by abnormal metabolism of lipids in the liver. Taiwanofungus salmonea and Grifola frondosa, which are valuable medicinal mushrooms in Taiwan and exhibit many beneficial bioactivities, are used to evaluate effects on immune regulation in Raw 264.7 cells and on NASH-related responses in Hep G2 cells. According to the results, the production of proinflammatory cytokines was effectively decreased, whereas the production of interleukin-10 was increased. Lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species production also declined, and free glycerol was released. The expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c was decreased. These results indicate that T. salmonea and G. frondosa are capable of reducing inflammatory responses and ameliorating NASH, indicating their potential as hepatoprotective dietary supplements.