Determination of Trace Elements in Anti-influenza Virus Mushrooms

Abstract

We have determined the trace element composition of anti-influenza virus mushrooms using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The elements present in greater concentration in Ganoderma lucidum samples are selenium, iron, and zinc, with selenium being the element with the highest concentration of all, at 416 ± 38.5 mg/kg; in Cordyceps militaris samples are iron, selenium, and zinc, with iron being the element with the highest concentration of all, at 291 ± 20.9 mg/kg; in Kuehneromyces mutabilis samples are selenium, iron, and manganese, with selenium being the element with the highest concentration of all, at 203 ± 9.8 mg/kg; in Inonotus hispidus samples are zinc, selenium, and iron, with zinc being the element with the highest concentration of all, at 194 ± 16.9mg/kg; in the Collybia maculata samples are iron, selenium, and zinc, with iron being the element with the highest concentration of all, at 274 ± 22.2 mg/kg, respectively. The average metal concentrations in mushrooms decreases in the order: selenium > iron > zinc > chromium > manganese > copper > magnesium > lead. After the mice were administered (orally) with mushroom extracts for 8 weeks and inoculated intranasally with viral suspension, element levels in serum were also measured. Highly significantly increased values of Se, Zn, and Mg in the serum of mice supplemented with anti-influenza virus mushrooms were a characteristic finding. Se, Zn, and Mg present in mushrooms may play a direct or indirect role in their anti-influenza virus nature. They may provide prophylactic protection against influenza infection via stimulation of host innate immune response.

Diverse Metabolites and Pharmacological Effects from the Basidiomycetes Inonotus hispidus

“…In 2009, Yousfi et al extracted and isolated two other known polyphenols ( 1 and 5 ) and a new compound methyl 5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypenta-2,4-dienoate ( 6 ) from the antioxidant components of the fruiting bodies parasitic on Pistacia atlantica , and its structure was determined by NMR and EI-MS [ 13 ]. In the experiment to determine the trace element composition of anti-influenza virus mushrooms, compounds 1 and 5 were once more isolated and extracted from the fruiting bodies of I. hispidus in 2011 [ 14 ]. In 2011 and 2012, Zan et al isolated ten phenolic compounds from methanol extracts of fruiting bodies living on ash, among which inonotusins A ( 7 ) and B ( 8 ) were new natural products.…”

“…After feeding mice I. hispidus mushroom containing compounds 1 and 5 , the anti-influenza virus ability of mice was improved, as was the content of trace elements zinc (194 ± 16.9 mg/kg), selenium, and iron in mouse serum. These metal elements are thought to enhance the antiviral ability of the I. hispidus mushroom [ 14 ].…”

Medicinal Fungi with Antiviral Effect

“…The antiviral activity of medicinal fungi may also be related to its trace elements. Wang et al, found that selenium, zinc and magnesium contained in medicinal fungi may play a direct or indirect role in anti-influenza virus [ 112 ].…”

Trends in the Immunomodulatory Effects of Cordyceps militaris: Total Extracts, Polysaccharides and Cordycepin

“…Trace elements are essential to immune regulation and infection prevention (Li et al, 2019). The action of C. militaris trace elements and their ability to counteract the influenza virus were analyzed by Wang and Hou (2011) (Wang and Hou, 2011). They orally administered 4 mg/kg/day of C. militaris extracts to treat H1N1-infected mice and monitored mortality and levels of Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Se, and Fe in the serum.…”