Search Results (7)

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) is a food-derived macromolecule with immunomodulatory potential, but its gut-centered mechanisms under chemotherapy-associated immunosuppressive stress remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of GLPP against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression and intestinal injury in mice and to explore the associated microbiota–metabolite–gene interaction network using integrated foodomics. BALB/c mice were treated with CTX and then administered GLPP at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day for 42 days, with levamisole as a positive control. High-dose GLPP restored spleen index from 1.592 ± 0.266 to 1.902 ± 0.212 mg/g and thymus index from 0.322 ± 0.146 to 0.656 ± 0.081 mg/g compared with the CTX group. It also enhanced lymphocyte proliferation (OD450: 1.529 ± 0.073 vs. 1.065 ± 0.051), increased carbon clearance index (3.403 ± 0.223 vs. 2.650 ± 0.164), elevated IL-2 and IgA levels, and reduced excessive IFN-γ and TNF-α responses. GLPP alleviated intestinal mucosal injury and reshaped gut microbial profiles, particularly taxa related to Bacteroidota and Bacteroides. Metabolomics revealed putatively annotated differential metabolites associated with amino acid, nicotinate–nicotinamide, and glycerophospholipid metabolism, while transcriptomics indicated modulation of PRR/MAPK-related immune signaling. Integrated correlation analysis suggested a microbiota–metabolite–gene–immune association network involving putative gamma-Glutamylleucine(γ-Glu-Leu), leukotriene D4(LTD4)-like lipid features, and hippuric acid. These findings support GLPP as a promising immune-supporting functional food ingredient, although metabolite assignments and causal mechanisms require further validation. Full article

Acute kidney injury (AKI) continues to pose a significant clinical challenge due to its high morbidity rates and limited therapeutic options. Recent evidence suggests that natural compounds may provide renoprotective benefits by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation. This study examines the protective effects of a novel polysaccharide peptide extracted from Ganoderma lucidum (GL-PPQ1) against renal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury, with particular emphasis on the integrin β3/Fibronectin 1 (Fn1) signaling axis. A murine model of renal I/R injury was established, and GL-PPQ1 was administered orally for seven days before surgery. The assessment included renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, transcriptomic profiling and protein expression analyses were conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results revealed that GL-PPQ1 pretreatment significantly reduced renal tubular damage, lowered serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, and diminished oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. RNA sequencing revealed that GL-PPQ1 affected gene sets associated with extracellular matrix remodeling and cell adhesion. Western blot and immunohistochemistry further confirmed that GL-PPQ1 decreased the expression of integrin β3 and Fn1, suggesting a regulatory effect on their interaction during I/R injury. These findings demonstrate that GL-PPQ1 offers substantial kidney protection by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysregulation of the integrin β3/Fn1 signaling pathway. Thus, this study supports that polysaccharide peptides derived from Ganoderma lucidum could have the potential to serve as both a dietary supplement and a therapeutic agent in the treatment of AKI. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major therapeutic challenge due to treatment-related toxicity and impaired oral tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop and characterize a novel biocomposite based on bioactive compounds from Ganoderma lucidum incorporated into marine collagen derived from Rhizostoma pulmo and to evaluate its physicochemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and in vitro antitumor potential in the oral cavity. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of G. lucidum and pepsin-soluble collagen peptides from R. pulmo jellyfish were prepared and combined to obtain two hydrogel biocomposites with different component ratios. Chemical and structural characterization was performed using HPLC-DAD, SDS-PAGE, FT-IR, circular dichroism, and spectrophotometric assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated against oral pathogens using diffusion and MIC methods. In vitro biological activity was investigated using MTT viability and scratch migration assays on human OSCC cell lines (SCC-9 and HSC-3). Results: The biocomposites preserved the structural integrity of type I collagen and incorporated polysaccharides and polyphenols from G. lucidum. The combined formulations showed enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared with collagen alone. In vitro assays demonstrated dose- and time-dependent reductions in OSCC cell viability and delayed cell migration, with effects comparable to those of G. lucidum extract. Conclusions: The G. lucidum–R. pulmo biocomposite exhibits favorable physicochemical properties and demonstrates antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro antitumor activity. These findings support its potential as a multifunctional biomaterial for further investigation as an adjunct approach in oral cancer-related applications. Full article

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), commonly known as Reishi or Lingzhi, is a medicinal mushroom with a rich history in traditional Asian medicine. This review examines diverse bioactive components supporting therapeutic properties, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, peptides and proteins, vitamins, minerals, and sterols. The mushroom offers numerous health benefits, including immunomodulation, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, liver protection, and anti-cancer activities. In addition, it shows potential in managing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and viral infections. Advances in extraction technologies, such as ultrasound and microwave-assisted methods, have improved the bioavailability and efficacy of compounds. While G. lucidum is an excellent functional food and therapeutic agent it remains an unexploited source of nutrients. Further research is needed to optimize the industrial applications and evaluate the safety in specific populations. Full article

Background: Ganoderma lucidum (GL), commonly known as the “Lingzhi” or “Reishi” mushroom, has long been recognized for its potential health benefits and medicinal properties in traditional Chinese medicine. The unique potential combination of bioactive compounds present in GL, such as triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and peptides, has inspired interest in leveraging their therapeutic potential In recent years, the emerging field of nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities for using the remarkable properties of GL at the nanoscale. Objetive: The main objective of this review is to explore the unique potential of GL in traditional and innovative therapies, particularly in cancer treatment, and to assess how nanotechnology-based strategies can enhance its therapeutic applications.is to explore. Results: Nanotechnology-based strategies have been investigated for the efficient extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from GL. Additionally, nanocarriers and nanoformulations have been developed to protect these sensitive bioactive compounds from degradation, ensuring their stability during storage and transportation. The use of GL-based nanomaterials has shown promising results in several biomedical applications, namely due to their anticancer activity by targeting cancer cells, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting tumor growth. Conclusions: The combination of GL and nanotechnology presents an exciting frontier in the development of novel therapeutic and biomedical applications. Nevertheless, further research and development in this interdisciplinary field are warranted to fully exploit the synergistic benefits offered by GL and nanotechnology. Future prospects include the development of robust clinical trials focused on GL nanotechnology-based cancer therapies to clarify mechanisms of actions and optimize formulations, ultimately leading to innovative solutions for human health and well-being. Full article

Chemotherapy is an important factor leading to male infertility. It is crucial to discover safe and effective treatments to prevent male reproductive injury caused by chemotherapy. The Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) has multiple pharmacological activities. The purpose of this study was to determine whether GLPP could protect the male sperm production from chemotherapeutic injury using a mouse model, with testicular damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). CP (50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into male ICR mice gavaged with different doses of GLPP at certain spermatogenic stages. The experimental results showed that GLPP alleviated the CP-induced reduction in reproductive organ coefficients and sperm parameters and reduced the morphological damage of testicular tissues in a dose-dependent manner. GLPP significantly improved the reproductive index, sperm-related parameters, sex hormone levels, and histological testis architecture at different spermatogenic stages. Furthermore, GLPP significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), Nrf2, and HO-1, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and Keap-1 in the testicular tissue, indicating reduced oxidative stress. In addition, GLPP limited CP-induced apoptosis via a reduction in Bax expression and increase in Bcl-2 expression. This study suggests that GLPP plays a protective role in spermatogenesis by reducing chemotherapeutic injury and might be developed into drug for male patients receiving chemotherapy. Full article

MALDI-TOF MS provides rapid and sensitive analyses of larger biomolecules. However, MS analyses of polysaccharide have been reported to have lower sensitivity compared to peptides and proteins. Here, we investigated some polysaccharides chemically derivatized by permethylation and ortho-phenylene diamine (OPD) tagging. Methylated glycan is obviously able to improve the sensitivity for mass spectrometry detection. Oxidative condensation by UV-activation tagging to saccharides by OPD and peptide-OPD also improve the sensitivity of MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Polysaccharides including dextran, glucomannan, arabinoxylan, arabinogalactan and beta-1,3-glucan, isolated from nutritional supplements of Ganoderma lucidum and Saccharomyces pastorianus were measured using MALDI-TOF MS with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB) as the matrix. These glycans were also derivatized to methylated and benzimidazole-tagged glycans by chemical transformation for molecular weight analysis. The derivatized polysaccharides showed excellent MALDI-TOF MS signal enhancement in the molecular weight range from 1 to 5 kDa. Here, we demonstrate an efficient method to give glycan-benzimidazole (glycan-BIM) derivatives for polysaccharide determination in MALDI-TOF MS. Therefore, permethylated or benzimidazole-derivatized polysaccharides provide a new option for polysaccharide analysis using MALDI-TOF MS. Full article