Shiitake Mushroom Extract

Although foods are considered enhancing factors for dental caries and periodontitis, laboratory researches indicate that several foods and beverages contain components endowed with antimicrobial and antiplaque activities. A low molecular mass (LMM) fraction of an aqueous mushroom extract has been found to exert these activities in in vitro experiments against potential oral pathogens. We therefore conducted a clinical trial in which we tested an LMM fraction of shiitake mushroom extract formulated in a mouthrinse in 30 young volunteers, comparing the results with those obtained in two identical cohorts, one of which received water (placebo) and the other Listerine. Plaque index, gingival index and bacterial counts in plaque samples were determined in all volunteers over the 11 days of the clinical trial. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were obtained for the plaque index on day 12 in subjects treated with mushroom versus placebo, while for the gingival index significant differences were found for both mushroom versus placebo and mushroom versus Listerine. Decreases in total bacterial counts and in counts of specific oral pathogens were observed for both mushroom extract and Listerine in comparison with placebo. The data suggest that a mushroom extract may prove beneficial in controlling dental caries and/or gingivitis/periodontitis.

Reducing sodium in poultry products often compromises texture and water-holding capacity. This study investigated the interactive effects of shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushroom extract (SME) and ultrasound (US) on mitigating these defects in reduced-sodium chicken breast. A standard 2.0% NaCl brine served as the control, while reduced-sodium formulations contained 1.4% NaCl supplemented with 0.2% or 0.6% KCl. SME (0.4-1.2%) and probe US (20 kHz, 300 W, 15 min) were applied. Independently, SME increased brine uptake (15% at 1.2% SME), while US accelerated chloride diffusion (~30%) via microstructural disruption. The synergistic treatment combining 0.8% SME with US was identified as the statistical optimum. Simple effect analysis confirmed this combination significantly reduced cooking loss (p < 0.01) and restored comprehensive textural attributes to levels comparable with the 2.0% NaCl control. As confirmed by LF-NMR and microstructural analysis (H&E staining), these macroscopic improvements were highly correlated with optimized immobilized water (P21) proportions and myofibrillar protein-matrix stabilization. Ultimately, this strategy provides a functional and microstructural basis for developing sodium-reduced poultry without compromising critical quality attributes.

Vitamin D (VD) has been used to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition of lipotoxicity associated with a defective metabolism and function of this vitamin. Different forms of VD are available and can be used for this scope, but their effects on liver cell lipotoxicity remain unexplored. In this study we compared a natural formulation rich in VD2 (Shiitake Mushroom extract or SM-VD2) with a synthetic formulation containing pure VD3 (SV-VD3) and the bioactive metabolite 1,25(OH)2-D3. These were investigated in chemoprevention mode in human HepaRG liver cells supplemented with oleic and palmitic acid to induce lipotoxicity. All the different forms of VD showed similar efficacy in reducing the levels of lipotoxicity and the changes that lipotoxicity induced on the cellular transcriptome. However, the three forms of VD generated different gene fingerprints suggesting diverse, even if functionally convergent, cytoprotective mechanisms. Main differences were (1) the number of differentially expressed genes (SV-VD3 > 1,25[OH]2-D3 > SM-VD2), (2) their identity that demonstrated significant gene homology between SM-VD2 and 1,25(OH)2-D3, and (3) the number and type of biological functions identified by ingenuity pathway analysis as relevant to liver metabolism and cytoprotection annotations. Immunoblot confirmed a different response of VDR and other VDR-related proteins to natural and synthetic VD formulations, including FXR, PXR, PPARγ/PGC-1α, and CYP3A4 and CYP24A1. In conclusion, different responses of the cellular transcriptome drive the cytoprotective effect of natural and synthetic formulations of VD in the free fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity of human hepatocytes.

Bone tissue is continuously remodeled by the coordinated action of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Nuclear factor-activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) is a well-known transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis and transcriptionally activated by the c-Fos and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in response to receptor activation of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Since excessive RANKL signaling causes an increase of osteoclast formation and bone resorption, inhibition of RANKL or its signaling pathway is an attractive therapeutic approach to the treatment of pathologic bone loss. In this study, we show that an ethyl acetate fraction (LEA) from the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes, inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by blocking the NFATc1 signaling pathway. We found that the water extract and its subsequent ethyl acetate fraction of L. edodes significantly suppressed osteoclast formation. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that LEA specifically downregulated a set of RANKL target genes, including Nfatc1. Next, we found that LEA suppresses Nfatc1 expression mainly through the inhibition of the transactivity of p65 and NFATc1. Moreover, treatment of LEA rescued an osteoporotic phenotype in a zebrafish model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Collectively, our findings define an undocumented role of the shiitake mushroom extract in regulating bone development.

INTRODUCTION: Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is an Asian edible mushroom with the second-largest cultivation percentages among edible mushrooms in the world. Previous studies have shown its nutritional richness such as high quantities of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Moreover, in vitro and animal studies have displayed the medical importance of shiitake extracts including antitumor, antiviral, antibiotic, and hypocholesterolemic actions and also shown to have antibacterial efficacy and has been used for the elimination of oral biofilms and as a substitute of current chemical-based treatments. This study aims to analyze the inhibitory and antibacterial efficacy of shiitake mushroom extracts on periodontal pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Double extract, i.e., hot water and ethanol extract of shiitake were used for the assessments of minimum inhibitory concentrations on Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia using the tube-dilution method, and the time-kill curve was assessed for the above bacteria. RESULTS: Shiitake has shown potent antibacterial effects at a concentration of 3.12 μg/ml and has shown no growth after 2 h of culture. CONCLUSION: Shiitake mushroom extract has shown the potential antimicrobial effect on the certain periodontal pathogens.

The shiitake (Lentinus edodes) extract is purported to have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties due to presence of many bioactive compounds such as ergothioneine. This study was designed to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of shiitake extract in healthy men exposed to exercise-induced skeletal muscles damage. Subjects ingested shiitake mushroom extract (700 mg, two times per day) or placebo for 10 days prior to two separate exercise trials (crossover study). The exercise session involved 90 min run at 65% VO2max (0% gradient) and 15-min eccentric phase at 65% VO2max (-10% gradient). Subjects experienced creatine kinase (peak 461±206 IU/L) and leukocytes (peak 9.82 x 103/μL) elevations indicating muscle damage and inflammation. Exercise altered plasma IL-6 (peak 5.29±0.78 pg/mL), IL-10 (peak 24.75±6.22 pg/mL) and IL-1β (peak 0.54±0.09 pg/mL) levels but did not affect tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) level relative to baseline. Shiitake extract did not demonstrate any effect on immune cells number and inflammatory mediators level, with the exception of IL-10. Thiol redox status (GSHtotal-2GSSG/GSSG) and niric oxide (NO) concentration increased after shiitake extract whereas H2O2 and 8-isoprostanes did not change. In conclusion, shiitake mushroom extract had no effect on markers of inflammation following prolonged eccentric exercise but demonstrated an antioxidant activity through the regulation of nitric oxide concentration and thiol redox status.

Gingivitis is a preventable disease characterised by inflammation of the gums due to the buildup of a microbial biofilm at the gingival margin. It is implicated as a precursor to periodontitis, a much more serious problem which includes associated bone loss. Unfortunately, due to poor oral hygiene among the general population, gingivitis is prevalent and results in high treatment costs. Consequently, the option of treating gingivitis using functional foods, which promote oral health, is an attractive one. Medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake, have long been known for their immune system boosting as well as antimicrobial effects; however, they have not been employed in the treatment of oral disease. In the current study, the effectiveness of shiitake mushroom extract was compared to that of the active component in the leading gingivitis mouthwash, containing chlorhexidine, in an artificial mouth model (constant depth film fermenter). The total bacterial numbers as well as numbers of eight key taxa in the oral community were investigated over time using multiplex qPCR. The results indicated that shiitake mushroom extract lowered the numbers of some pathogenic taxa without affecting the taxa associated with health, unlike chlorhexidine which has a limited effect on all taxa.

Lentinula edodes (Berk) Pegler, commonly known as Shiitake mushroom has been used as medicinal food in Asian countries, especially in China and Japan and is believed to possess strong immunomodulatory property. In the present study, the methanolic extract of the fruit bodies of L. edodes was investigated for cytoprotective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by measuring the activities of xanthine oxidase (XO) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) . H2O2 at a concentration of 5 microM caused 50% inhibition of PBMCs viability. The extract improved the PBMC viability and exerted a dose-dependent protection against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. At 100 microg/ml of extract concentration, the cell viability increased by 60% compared with the PBMCs incubated with H2O2 alone. The extract also inhibited XO activity in PBMC, while showing moderate stimulatory effect on GPx. However, in the presence of H2O2 alone, both the enzyme activities were increased significantly. The GPx activity increased, possibly in response to the increased availability of H2O2 in the cell. When the cells were pretreated with the extract and washed (to remove the extract) prior to the addition of H2O2, the GPx and XO activities as well as the cell viability were comparable to those when incubated with the extract alone. Thus, it is suggested that one of the possible mechanisms via which L. edodes methanolic extract confers protection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in PBMC is by inhibiting the superoxide-producing XO and increasing GPx activity which could rapidly inactivate H2O2.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic agents have been in widespread and largely effective therapeutic use since their discovery in the 20th century. However, the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens now presents an increasing global challenge to both human and veterinary medicine. It is now widely acknowledged that there is a need to develop novel antimicrobial agents to minimize the threat of further antimicrobial resistance. With this in mind, a study was undertaken to examine the antimicrobial properties of aqueous extracts of 'exotic' Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms on a range of environmental and clinically important microorganisms. METHOD: Several batches of Shiitake and oyster mushrooms were purchased fresh from a local supermarket and underwent aqueous extraction of potential antimicrobial components. After reconstitution, aqueous extracts were tested qualitatively against a panel of 29 bacterial and 10 fungal pathogens, for the demonstration of microbial inhibition. RESULTS: Our data quantitatively showed that Shiitake mushroom extract had extensive antimicrobial activity against 85% of the organisms it was tested on, including 50% of the yeast and mould species in the trial. This compared favourably with the results from both the Positive control (Ciprofloxacin) and Oyster mushroom, in terms of the number of species inhibited by the activity of the metabolite(s) inherent to the Shiitake mushroom. CONCLUSIONS: This small scale study shows the potential antimicrobial effects of Shitake extracts, however further work to isolate and identify the active compound(s) now requires to be undertaken. Once these have been identified, suitable pharmaceutical delivery systems should be explored to allow concentrated extracts to be prepared and delivered optimally, rather than crude ingestion of raw material, which could promote further bacterial resistance.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether supplemental amounts of a polysaccharide/oligosaccharide complex obtained from a shiitake mushroom extract (SME) would lower the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 62 men (mean age 73.2 years, range 53.6 to 85.5) with histologically proven prostate cancer who had two consecutive elevated PSA readings were accrued to the study during a 3-month period. This was an open-label study in which the patients received oral administration of capsules containing SME given three times daily for 6 months. The endpoint for the trial was the lowering of the PSA levels. RESULTS: Of the 62 men enrolled in the study, 61 were assessable. At 4 months, 1 patient withdrew because of unrelated surgery and 7 withdrew because of disease progression; none had responded with a decrease of greater than 50% in the PSA level. By 6 months, a total of 23 patients had progression and none had responded. Thirty-eight patients had stable PSA levels after 6 months. Although not the primary endpoint of the study, in other studies these patients could have been included as responders. When the patients' rates of PSA rise before study entry were analyzed, 4 (7%) had stabilized disease while taking SME. Thus, the final results for our study patients were 0 with a complete response, 0 with a partial response, 4 (7%) with stable disease, and 23 of 61 with progression while taking SME. CONCLUSIONS: SME alone is ineffective in the treatment of clinical prostate cancer.

A high-fat diet is associated with metabolic disorder, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Polysaccharides derived from mushrooms have attracted interest for their potential metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the impact of crude polysaccharides derived from the Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler (PSC) on metabolic conditions linked to high-fat diets remains insufficiently studied. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of PSC obtained using ultrasound-water extraction (UW) on metabolic parameters, hepatic function, and inflammation in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Wistar rats (5 weeks old, 180-200 g; n = 6 per group) were assigned to normal-diet (ND) or high-fat-diet (HFD) groups, with or without PSC administration. PSC was administered by oral gavage at 400 mg/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks. Compared with the HFD group at week 20, the HFD+PSC group showed 30.44% lower body-weight gain, while LDL-C, AST, ALT, and IL-6 levels were 42.31%, 35.77%, 55.15%, and 41.78% lower. Histopathological examination showed reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammatory alterations following PSC extract administration, with the NAS decreasing from 5.60 ± 0.51 in the HFD group to 2.00 ± 0.32 in the PSC extract administration. The findings indicate that a PSC extract decreased various metabolic, hepatic, and inflammatory changes correlated with HFD. This study supports the potential of PSC extract as a mushrooms-derived functional ingredient to improve metabolic function.

2. Pharmacol Res. 2026 Oct 14;233:109676. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2026.109676. Online ahead of print. Lentinan-induced FUBP1 O-GlcNAcylation suppresses macrophage ferroptosis and atherosclerosis via the Tp53/SLC7A11 axis. Liu X(1), Xu Z(1), Cheng F(1), Hu S(1), He M(1), Zheng W(1), Wei H(1), Li J(1), Yang H(1), Fang L(2), Wang Y(1), Zheng L(3), Rao X(4), Fang Q(5). Author information: (1)Division of Cardiology and Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China. (2)The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, NHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. (3)The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, NHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. (4)Division of Cardiology and Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. (5)Division of Cardiology and Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiova

The intelligent production of edible fungi requires accurate and real-time monitoring of mushroom growth status throughout cultivation. However, real-time classification and grading of multiple shiitake mushroom varieties in natural environments remain challenging due to illumination variation, pose diversity, occlusion, dense small targets, and subtle inter-variety morphological differences. To address these task-specific challenges, this study proposes a lightweight real-time detection framework for fine-grained shiitake mushroom recognition. The model is designed from a problem-driven perspective by jointly considering deployment efficiency, small-object perception, and subtle feature discrimination. First, a Spatially-weighted Token Gated Convolution (STGConv) module is proposed to achieve lightweight feature extraction by reducing computational redundancy while maintaining robust feature learning. Second, an Adaptive Residual Fusion Head (ARFHead) is proposed to enhance multi-scale feature interactions and improve the perception of densely distributed, partially occluded mushrooms. Finally, a Dynamic Sampling operator is incorporated into the upsampling process to adaptively restore

A standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia (ECLM), commercially known as AHCC®, shows anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and organ-protective properties. Experimental studies have indicated that ECLM modulates innate and adaptive immunity, including natural killer (NK) cell activity, antigen-presenting cell function, T-cell responses, and cytokine balance. These effects are particularly relevant in oncology because surgical stress and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) generate a transient perioperative environment characterized by immune suppression, inflammation, and conditions favorable for metastatic progression. Recent animal studies have demonstrated the protective effects of ECLM in intestinal and hepatic IRI models, providing a potential mechanistic rationale for improving the perioperative host microenvironment. Clinical studies on hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and gynecological malignancies suggest that ECLM may offer potential benefits in immune preservation, nutritional support, symptom management, and recurrence prevention, although most studies are small and hypothesis-generating. Emerging evidence from patient-derived xenograft and spontaneous carcinogenesis models further suggests that ECLM may influence tumor biology beyond host immune activation, although the underlying mechani

Lentinula edodes extracts are used by cancer patients as alternative or complementary therapies; however, no systematic review has evaluated their actual benefits. We searched several databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, AMED, and KoreanMed) and included studies comparing groups receiving L. edodes extracts alongside standard treatment with those receiving standard treatment alone. A total of 22 trials involving 1,723 cancer patients were included. Of these, 13 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nine were controlled non-randomized trials (NRTs). In the analysis of the 13 RCTs, the L. edodes group showed a

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is a rich source of bioactive polysaccharides with potential applications in sustainable agriculture, particularly as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides. This study aimed to employ membrane separation technology to streamline the recovery of polysaccharides from shiitake mushrooms and evaluate their antifungal activity against phytopathogens. Crude aqueous extracts and membrane-fractionated polysaccharides were tested in vitro against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The crude extract exhibited the strongest inhibition, with 13.0 ± 0.07% and 5.87 ± 0.03% growth reduction against R. solani and M. phaseolina, respectively. Membrane ultrafiltration successfully concentrated polysaccharides within a targeted molecular weight range, with glucose, rhamnose, and arabinose confirmed as dominant monosaccharides via HPLC. However, fractionation slightly reduced bioactivity compared to the crude extract. These findings demonstrate that shiitake-derived polysaccharides exhibit measurable in vitro antifungal activity and highlight their potential for further investigation as bioactive natural compounds. Furthermore, the results support the use of membrane separation technology as a sustainable strategy for the recovery and concentration of bioactive mushroom-derived polysaccharides. © 2026. The Author(s).

BACKGROUND: Biyang flower shiitake mushrooms are valuable edible and medicinal fungi. However, the effects of macromolecules from fresh and dried flower shiitake mushrooms on the structural characteristics and their subsequent impact on gut health remain poorly understood. METHODS: This study systematically investigated the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and thermal stability of macromolecules extracted from fresh (XG-PPC) and dried (GG-PPC) Biyang flower shiitake mushrooms. Furthermore, the differential regulatory effects of these supplements on the gut microbiota and fecal metabolome of mice were evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Kendall's rank correlation analysis was used to elucidate the intrinsic relationships among the physicochemical properties of macromolecules, key intestinal genera, and differential metabolites. RESULTS: These structural differences conferred distinct biological effects on macromolecules. Protein and uronic acid contents act as key drivers governing the differentiation of gut microbiota and metabolic pathways, with opposing regulatory trends. Total carbohydrates, monosaccharide profiles, and molecular weight characteristics differentially regulate specific bacterial genera and multiple classes of metabolites, thereby establishing distinct gut microecological regulatory patterns between XG-PPC and GG-PPC. CONCLUSIONS: This study explores the structure-activity relationships of fresh and dried Biyang shiitake mushroom macromolecules, providing a theoretical

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) remains a significant pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of drug-resistant strains necessitates alternative therapeutic agents. Lentinula edodes (LE), Hypsizygus marmoreus, and Pleurotus eryngii are edible mushrooms with recognized medicinal properties. However, their effects on drug-resistant HSV-1 remain unclear. This study characterized metabolites from high-temperature/high-pressure (121 °C) water extracts of fresh and dried fruiting bodies and evaluated anti-HSV-1 activities using in vitro and in silico approaches. Metabolic profiles were analyzed by electrospray ionization-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antiviral activity against HSV-1 KOS (wild-type) and HSV-1 dxpiii (drug-resistant) strains was assessed by plaque assays and qPCR. Molecular docking and network pharmacology were performed on candidate compounds. LE extract from dried mushroom tended to show the highest levels of selected major bioactive constituents, along with greater antioxidant activities. All extracts significantly inhibited viral infection and gene expression in both strains. LE extract from dried mushroom modulated the expression of NFKB1 and IL6. Molecular docking analysis revealed that eritanidine showed a predicted binding affinity to HSV-1 DNA polymerase (-7.95 kcal/mol). Additionally, eritanidine, 5'-methylthioadenosine, and 3-indoleacrylic acid were predicted to interact with TNF and MAPK1. Several compounds al

Ergosterol (ERG) is a bioactive sterol found in fungal cell membranes with reported cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) conditions were optimized for Lentinula edodes (shiitake) using Response Surface Methodology and subsequently applied to Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster). Optimized SFE (690 bar, 69.8 °C, no co-solvent) produced significantly more concentrated ERG extracts than Soxhlet extraction for both species-280.57 ± 10.80 mgERG/gextract for shiitake and 95.87 ± 7.18 mgERG/gextract for oyster-corresponding to a 107% and 65% increase, respectively. Three biomass pre-treatments-ultrasound, microwave, and enzymatic-were evaluated in combination with SFE. Enzymatic pre-treatment with chitinase significantly improved ERG concentration: 337.53 ± 23.12 mgERG/gextract for shiitake. These results obtained after analysis of samples by GC-MS demonstrate that high-pressure SFE combined with chitinase pre-treatment is an effective strategy for producing ERG-rich extracts from fungal matrices.

Fluorescence phenomena in fungi have been investigated only sparingly, despite long-standing evidence that many fungal metabolites exhibit autofluorescence. This study presents a standardised fluorescence spectroscopy method for analysing extracts from four cultivated mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii, Hypsizygus tessulatus, Hericium coralloides, and Lentinula edodes), with the aim of identifying interspecific differences and developmental stage-related variations. Fruiting body samples were extracted with ethanol and n-hexane and analysed by fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Significant differences in fluorescence intensity and spectral distribution among the different species were observed. H. coralloides and P. eryngii displayed the strongest fluorescence signals, primarily localised in spines and gills, respectively. Comparison of different growth stages of P. eryngii indicated that fluorescence intensity increased during developmental progression. However, the responsible fluorophores and their exact tissue source were not identified in this study. In all experiments, n-hexane was less efficient than ethanol in extracting fluorophores. A notable exception concerned the gills of P. eryngii for which the emission band was observed at lower wavelengths (420 nm). In contrast, ethanol extracts showed stronger fluorescence with emission peaks g

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women, and retrieving the anti-tumor function of the immune system seems a promising treatment approach for its crucial role in combating cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a combination therapy containing a TAK1 inhibitor, Takinib (Tak), a metabolic regulator, Metformin (Met), and an immunostimulant, Lentinula edodes mycelia extract (LEME) on enhancing the immune system's anti-tumor activity in BALB/c mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: BALB/c mice were used to induce TNBC tumors and evaluate tumor growth inhibition. The number of CD8+ CD28+ T cells was determined by immunofluorescence assay, the expression of MUC1 protein was assessed by Western blot, while the expression of TOX, NR4A1, and TIM-3 genes was evaluated by real-time PCR in mouse-derived tumor tissues. MTT assay was performed on different BC cell lines to assess cell viability. RESULTS: Molecular docking results revealed significant interactions between Tak and Met with TOX and NR4A1. The combination treatments of Tak, Met, and LEME significantly decreased tumor volume/weight in mice and also significantly increased

BACKGROUND: Lentinan (LNT), a polysaccharide extracted from shiitake mushrooms, has been long used in Asia for improving health. Although LNT injections have been approved for cancer treatment in multiple Asian countries, the potential of LNT in alleviating Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and associated cognitive impairments remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to assess the neuroprotective effects of LNT. METHODS: In vitro tests were performed in HEK 293/tau cells. Moreover, to simulate AD tau pathology, human full-length tau (hTau) expression was induced using adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) in C57/BL6 mice. Intragastric LNT administration for 1 month markedly elevated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity and decreased tau phosphorylation at Ser202/Thr205 (AT8) in AAV2-hTau infected mice. RESULTS: LNT significantly enhanced cell viability and PP2A activity while reducing tau phosphorylation in HEK 293/tau cells. Furthermore, behavioral tests demonstrated that LNT mitigated cognitive defects induced through hTau overexpression while significantly increasing the expression of synaptic protein expression such as synaptotagmin and synaptophysin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LNT can prevent AD-like tau hyperphosphorylation by activating PP2A and attenuate AD-like cognitive impairments by restoring synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis. Therefore, LNT is a potential therapeutic candidate for treating tau-related diseases.

The primary hypothesis of the study was that zinc and selenium supplementation through fortified cookies would enhance the immune response and improve clinical outcomes in tuberculosis patients. For this purpose, a single-blind randomized control trial was carried out to determine the effect of zinc and selenium on the immunomodulatory parameters of tuberculosis, approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Lahore, Pakistan. In the first phase, the proximate and minerals profile of shiitake mushroom was analyzed, and functional cookies were developed fortified with zinc and selenium. In the second phase, 120 tuberculosis patients were divided into four groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3) to assess the impact of supplementation on anthropometric, microbiological, and hematological parameters. Meanwhile, results were statistically examined through one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test and showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among treatment groups. In comparison to controls, patients who received Zn and Se-enriched cookies (T2 and T3) reported significant increases in BMI, hemoglobin, and decreases in CRP and ESR. Additionally, Principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map visualization were generated using R Studio (Version 4.2.2) to identify patterns and correlations among treatments. During tuberculosis infection, those improvements were associated with the antioxidant and immunomodulatory functions of zinc in macrophage activation and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity, which are in

Exposure to immune stress or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during critical developmental stages like puberty may lead to gut microbiome dysbiosis and epigenetic dysregulation in mammary glands, affecting gene expression and potentially elevating breast cancer susceptibility in adulthood. Although LPS's adverse impacts on intestinal and brain functions are well-documented, its effects on mammary glands remain underexplored. Using an immunocompetent BALB/c mouse model, we administered an acute LPS dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) during puberty. The study evaluated the long-term consequences of LPS exposure alone and combined with AHCC (Lentinula edodes cultured extract, 2 g/kg body weight/day) on DNA methylation patterns, cytokine profiles, and microRNA expression in mammary glands at 9 weeks of age. Analyses included DNA methylation sequencing, multiplex immunoassays, quantitative PCR, and image processing. Pubertal LPS exposure produced persistent molecular dysregulation in mammary glands, including differential DNA methylation (> 5%

Polysaccharides from Lentinula edodes (L. edodes) exhibit antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, but conventional extraction is limited by low efficiency and potential loss of bioactivity. This study evaluated the effects of intense pulsed light (IPL)-assisted extraction on the physicochemical, structural, rheological, and antioxidant properties of L. edodes polysaccharides (LNTs). The ternary IUEH method increased polysaccharide yield (92.7%) and uronic acid content (25.96%) compared with hot water extraction, while improving protein removal and preserving acidic fractions. IPL induced partial depolymerization without altering the β-(1 → 3)-glucan backbones, leading to macromolecular reorganization and improved thermal stability. IPL-treated LNTs exhibited increased pseudoplasticity and elasticity. In simulated digestion, IUEH-derived LNTs showed higher reducing sugar release and DPPH radical scavenging activity (70.55%). These findings demonstrate that IPL-assisted extraction efficiently produces structurally optimized LNTs with improved functional properties, supporting their potential application as functional food ingredients.

In this study, extraction parameters to increase the biological activities of Lentinula edodes extracts were optimized using both Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network-Genetic Algorithm (ANN-GA) hybrid models. Antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antiproliferative activities, and phenolic contents of the extracts obtained under optimum conditions were determined. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that the extracts obtained with ANN-GA optimization had higher TAS (6.612 mmol/L), FRAP (176.25 mg TE/g), and DPPH (133.00 mg TE/g) values ​​compared to RSM. In addition, TOS (4.167 µmol/L) and OSI (0.063) levels were lower. In anticholinesterase assays, ANN-GA extracts were found to be more effective than RSM in inhibiting AChE (72.47 µg/mL) and BChE (132.13 µg/mL). Furthermore, in antiproliferative assays on A549, MCF-7, and DU-145 cancer cell lines, ANN-GA-optimized extracts were observed to have stronger cytotoxic effects. LC-MS/MS analyses revealed that ANN-GA optimization enriched biologically important phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, and caffeic acid at higher levels. Consequently, AI-assisted optimization offers a powerful strategy for enhancing the biological value of mushroom extracts. © 2026. The Author(s).

BACKGROUND: Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) contains polysaccharides, phenolics, and β-glucans known for their antioxidant and nutraceutical properties; however, its dermatological applications remain limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activities, and cytotoxicity of freeze-dried Shiitake extract and to develop and characterize a topical cream formulation containing the extract for potential cosmetical and dermatological use. METHODS: Shiitake mushrooms were extracted with 75% ethanol and freeze-dried. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using a total antioxidant assay. Elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase inhibition activities were evaluated using fluorometric and spectrophotometric assays. Cytotoxicity was tested on HaCaT human keratinocytes using the AlamarBlue assay. A topical cream formulation containing the shiitake extract was prepared, and its pH, viscosity, density, and stability were assessed through accelerated stability tests. RESULTS: The extract showed moderate antioxidant capacity (107 μM Trolox equivalent). It inhibited elastase activity by 51.99% and induced a concentration-dependent suppression of collagenase activity, reducing measurable enzyme activity to levels below the detection limit of the assay at higher concentrations. No significant tyrosinase inhibition was observed. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed that the extract was non-toxic, maintaining > 90% HaCaT viability across all tested concentrations. The formulated cream exhibited skin-compatible pH (≈5.5), suitable viscosity, homogeneous texture, and remained stable without phase separation or microbial growth under accelerated aging conditions. CONCLUSION:

Oral administration of Lentinula edodes mycelia extract (L.E.M.) has been shown to stimulate systemic T cell-mediated antitumor immunity and inhibit tumor growth in mice, suggesting its potential to modulate host immune responses. However, the route of this systemic antitumor effect remains unclear. This study focused on gut-associated immune mechanisms by analyzing mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), a major component of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and examined whether oral L.E.M. enhances the antitumor efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) in a B16F10-OVA melanoma model. L.E.M. administration upregulated MHC class II and CD86 expression on CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) in MLNs and significantly increased the proportion of CD103+ subsets, indicating DC maturation within the GALT. In a B16F10-OVA melanoma model treated with X-ray irradiation, L.E.M. further enhanced DC maturation and increased CD8α+ DCs in the spleen, accompanied by elevated effector and central memory fractions of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood. Antigen-specific CD8+ T cells (OVA tetramer+) were significantly enriched within tumors, and L.E.M. combined with RT achieved greater tumor growth inhibition than RT alone. These findings demonstrate that oral L.E.M. activates GALT-mediated DC and CD8+ T-cell responses, thereby augmenting the antitumor immune effects of RT. © 2026. The Author(s).

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.) have been widely recognized for their bioactive properties, including antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial potential and chemical composition of shiitake mushroom extracts prepared using different solvents (95% ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform). The highest extraction yield (31.16%) was obtained with 95% ethanol. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the paper disc diffusion method against nine pathogenic bacterial isolates, including Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. aureus DMST20654) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli ATCC25922, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ATCC16122) bacteria. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. All experiments were performed in triplicate. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, with the largest inhibition zone observed for E. coli ATCC25922 (30.00 ± 0.00 mm), followed by S. enterica serovar Typhi ATCC16122 (28.33 ± 2.00 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays confirmed the superior antibacterial potential of the ethyl acetate extract, particularly against S. aureus DMST20654 (MIC = 1.95 mg/mL, MBC = 31.25 mg/mL). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including ergosterol (62.38%, %Prob 62.6 in the chloroform extract) and linoleic acid (28.65%, %Prob 56.5 in the ethyl acetate extract), w

The establishment of gut microbiota during early life is crucial for immune system development and its disturbance within this critical period exerts enduring adverse effects on health. Perinatal antibiotic exposure perturbs early-life microbiota and leads to long-term immune dysregulation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately explored. We investigated the persistent consequences of perinatal exposure to low-dose penicillin on gut immunity and the potential protective role of a prebiotic compound, Lentinula edodes cultured extract referred to as AHCC, against antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and immune dysregulation. Pregnant mice were subjected to penicillin and AHCC treatment from the third week of gestation until weaning of pups. Subsequently, the offspring were evaluated for gut microbiota at weaning as well as immune function, and microRNA (miRNA) changes at eight weeks of age. Microbiome analysis revealed substantial alterations in gut microbiota composition, characterized by an increase in Proteobacteria and a decrease in Firmicutes following antibiotic exposure. Lactobacillus, and some short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing species were diminished by the antibiotic. AHCC intake prevented antibiotic effects on Proteobacteria in dams and offspring and some SCFA-producing bacteria in male offspring. In adult offspring, AHC

Endogenous phosphorus (P) release is a key driver of eutrophication, largely regulated by the stability of dissolved organic matter-iron-phosphorus (DOM-Fe-P) complexes. However, conventional citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD) extraction fails to discern DOM's role in stabilizing DOM-Fe-P under natural conditions, as it indiscriminately extracts both active and stable iron oxyhydroxide pools. Here, we employed bicarbonate-dithionite (BD) extraction to separate these pools in algae-dominated (ADL) and macrophyte-dominated lakes (MDL), integrating microbial community analysis to unravel DOM-driven stabilization mechanisms. DOM-Fe-P in ADL exhibited higher P/Fe molar ratios but lower organic-carbon/Fe (OC/Fe) molar ratios than MDL, aligning with the divergent DOM degradability, carbon-phosphorus stoichiometry, and microbial assemblages. In ADL, humic-like fulvic components in the active pool likely served as electron sh

Reverse transcription (RT) of viral RNA to complementary DNA (cDNA) is essential for mycovirus detection; however, the stable secondary structures of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and the genomic diversity of viruses complicate this process. This study systematically optimized RT conditions for 15 mycoviruses infecting Lentinula edodes using RT-qPCR, focusing on thermal denaturation temperatures (no heat denaturation [CK], 65 °C [T65], 95 °C [T95], and 98 °C [T98]) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentrations (0-20 %). For purified LeV-HKB dsRNA, T95 and T98 increased cDNA yields by over 50,000- and 100,000-fold, respectively, compared to T65. In total RNA extracts from infected L. edodes, T98 increased cDNA yields for dsRNA mycoviruses by approximately 5-fold compared to CK. Conversely, T95/T98 did not improve cDNA yields for ssRNA viruses, and even resulted in slightly reduced yields for certain viruses. DMSO exerted virus-specific and temperature-dependent effects on RT efficiency: moderate concentrations (5-15 %) enhanced cDNA yields at CK or T65, whereas high concentrations (e.g., 20 %) reduced yields at T95 or T98. No universal DMSO concentration was optimal across viruses, necessitating tailored approaches. Overall, T98 is recommended for dsRNA viruses, CK/T65 for ssRNA viruses, and T98 as a practical compromise for mixed RNA types. This protocol impro

Exposure to ionizing radiation during early pregnancy poses serious risks to fetal development, particularly during organogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of AHCC®, a standardized extract of Lentinula edodes mycelia with known immunomodulatory and metabolic properties, using an ICR mouse model. Intraperitoneal administration of AHCC prior to 1.4-Gy γ-irradiation on gestational day 9 significantly reduced the incidence of tail malformations and diaphragmatic hernias, without affecting implantation or fetal survival. Additionally, lifelong AHCC ingestion across three generations did not alter reproductive parameters, namely, gestation length and litter size, supporting its safety during pregnancy. These findings suggest that AHCC may mitigate radiation-induced teratogenic effects through maternal immune modulation, without compromising reproductive outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Accurate monitoring of pigmentation changes during the browning stage of shiitake cultivation sticks is essential for assessing substrate maturity, forecasting mushroom emergence, and improving cultivation quality. However, current commercial detection methods lack objective, real-time, and quantifiable evaluation indicators for assessing the browning degree. METHODS: This study proposes a two-stage image segmentation approach to address this issue. First, a novel VG-Stick-YOLOv11 model, built upon YOLOv11n-seg with VanillaNetBlock and GhostConv, was developed for real-time contour extraction and browning stage classification of shiitake sticks. Based on the extracted features, machine learning techniques facilitated rapid, semi-automatic annotation of browning regions, thereby constructing a segmentation dataset. Finally, the ResNet-Stick-UNet (RS-UNet) model was designed for precise browning region segmentation and area ratio calculation. The encoder utilizes ResNet50 with multi-branch inputs and stacked small kernels to enhance feature extraction, while the decoder incorporates a hybrid structure of grouped and depthwise separable convolutions for efficient channel fusion and detail preservation. A spatial attention mechanism was embedded in skip connections to emphasize large-scale brownin