Tamara Vladimirovna Teplyakova

We have explored the effect of a new strain of the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Ach.:Pers.) Pilat (Basidiomycota) F-1375 on melanin production in a glucose–tryptone medium, while adding a preparation of betulin and chemically pure tyrosine, under electric lighting and under dark conditions. The betulin preparation in the examined concentrations had practically no effect on the production of melanin, while high concentrations of tyrosine stimulated the production of melanin, both under illumination and in the dark. All studied samples of mushroom melanin are nontoxic: both isolated from natural (TC₅₀ = 96 ± 8 μg/mL) and cultured in a liquid medium with the addition of betulin and tyrosine (TC₅₀ from 164 to 400 μg/ml) are active against HIV-1 in an MT-4 cell culture (IC₅₀ 1 to 4.3 μg/mL, SI 17 to 192). The selectivity indices of the preparations of melanin of cultivated Inonotus obliquus F-1375 against the human immunodeficiency virus subtype A were at the level of 33-192, which makes it possible to recommend them for the development of antiviral agents. Melanin from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus F-1375 cultured in electric light with the addition of 10 and 20 mM tyrosine had the highest selectivity index for the HIV-1 retrovirus (SI 192).

We have explored the effect of a new strain of the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Ach.:Pers.) Pilat (Basidiomycota) F-1375 on melanin production in a glucose-tryptone medium, adding the preparation of betulin, chemically pure tyrosine, under electric lighting and under dark conditions. The betulin preparation in the examined concentrations had practically no effect on the production of melanin, while high concentrations of tyrosine stimulated the production of melanin both under illumination and in the dark. All studied samples of mushroom melanin are non-toxic: both isolated from natural (TC50 = 96 ± 8 μg/mL) and cultured in a liquid medium with the addition of betulin and tyrosine (TC50 from 164 to 400 μg/mL); active against HIV-1 in MT-4 cell culture (IC50 1 to 4.3 μg/mL, SI 17 to 192). The selectivity indices of the learned preparations of melanin of cultivated Inonotus obliquus F-1375 against the human immunodeficiency virus subtype A were at the level of 33-192, which makes it possible to recommend them for the development of antiviral agents. Melanin from mushroom Inonotus obliquus F-1375 cultured in the electrical light with the addition of 10 and 20 mM tyrosine has the highest selectivity index for retrovirus HIV-1 (SI 192).

The aim of the study was to study the effect of basidiomycetes on the aromatic and carbohydrate components of plant materials under the influence of the mycelium of the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus. To achieve this goal, we carried out a component analysis of the initial plant raw materials and raw materials after exposure to the mycelium of the basidiomycete. The moisture content in the raw material was determined, and the analysis of the content of: lignin, cellulose, easily and difficultly hydrolysable polysaccharides was carried out. The quantitative analysis of the structural components of plant raw materials was carried out according to the methods generally accepted in the chemistry of plant raw materials, in terms of absolutely dry raw materials. Chemical analysis of substrates showed that polysaccharides undergo bioconversion in the first place; difficultly hydrolyzable polysaccharides underwent biodegradation to a greater extent. It can be concluded that lignin does not completely destroy lignin on annual plants, as a result of which the growth and productivity of mushrooms increases.

The biomass of the mycelium of the xylotrophic basidiomycete Fomes fomentarius strain Kr-112 was obtained by submerged cultivation. The highest yield of dry biomass (6.9±0.3 g/l) was observed during submerged cultivation in a nutrient medium with starch and corn extract. Dry extracts were obtained from the biomass of the cultivated mycelium of the fungus and characterized by their chemical composition. The highest content of total protein (27±1 mg/g), phenolic compounds (13.8±0.5 mg/g) and flavonoids (13±1 mg/g) was shown in the ethanol extract of the cultured mycelium Fomes fomentarius grown in glucose-peptone medium. The maximum content of polysaccharides (379±16 mg/g) was shown by an ethanol extract from the mycelium of Fomes fomentarius grown in a medium with starch and corn extract. Extracts from the mycelium of Fomes fomentarius grown in a glucose-peptone medium showed the highest antioxidant activity. An ethanol extract obtained from a cultured mycelium grown in a glucose-peptone medium-exhibited antiviral activity in vitro against herpes simplex virus type 2 and avian influenza virus A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1). The animal protection factor was 60% in experiments in vivo when orally administered ethanol extract of mycelium grown in a glucose-peptone medium in mice infected with the human influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus in the prophylactic scheme.

β-Glucans have been studied in animal species, from earthworms to humans. They form a heterogenous group of glucose polymers found in fungi, plants, bacteria, and seaweed. β-Glucans have slowly emerged as an important target for the recognition of pathogens. In the current review, we highlight the major roles of mushroom-derived β-glucans on cancer progression.

Russian and international publications on the antiviral activity of medicinal mushrooms against influenza, which have been studied in cell culture and animal models, on the presence of sialidase (neuraminidase) inhibitors and RNA polymerase inhibitors of influenza virus are considered. The activity against influenza of both aqueous extracts of higher fungi and the polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, proteins, melanin, polyphenols, and terpenoids present in them is described. It is noted that further studies of the antiviral mechanisms of these components of medicinal mushrooms, both those grown in natural conditions and those cultivated with solid-phase or submerged methods in laboratory and factory conditions, are required in order to develop drugs based on them.