Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Medicinal Fungus Cultivated on Hayata.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND

The fungus , which grows on tree, has many medicinal uses. However, its cultivation using the traditional method of growing on the tree is costly and time-consuming. A possible alternative method of cultivating is to use Hayata tree, as it contains α-terpineol, which stimulates the synthesis of triterpenoids.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

To compare the cultivation of on and , the contents of triterpenoids and antcin were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts of each product were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. Their mechanisms on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways (p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) were determined using Western blot analysis.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the cultivation times of on and traditional discs were drastically different, lasting 6 and 18 months, respectively. The concentration of triterpenoids in the corresponding fruiting bodies was (70.0±3.0) and (20.0±4.0) mg/mL, respectively. More antcins were produced in the culture. Similar anti-inflammatory effect was obtained by both cultures, which is confirmed by the reduced production of IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and nitrogen monoxide. Their mechanisms were confirmed by the suppression of MAPK signalling pathways.

NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION

Cultivation on is an innovative and more cost-effective method for growing . The same anti-inflammatory effect is achieved in a shorter production time.