Amauroderma rugosum Protects PC12 Cells against 6‐OHDA‐Induced Neurotoxicity through Antioxidant and Antiapoptotic Effects

Abstract

Amauroderma rugosum (AR) is a dietary mushroom in the Ganodermataceae family whose pharmacological activity and medicinal value have rarely been reported. In this study, the antioxidant capacity and neuroprotective effects of AR were investigated. The aqueous extract of AR was confirmed to contain phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and triterpenes. The results of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and total antioxidant capacity assays revealed that AR extract scavenged reactive oxygen species. Moreover, AR extract decreased the cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In addition, 6-OHDA upregulated the expressions of proapoptotic proteins and downregulated the Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR- (mammalian target of rapamycin-) and MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase)/ERK- (extracellular signal-regulated kinases-) dependent signaling pathways. These effects of 6-OHDA were abolished or partially reversed by AR extract. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of AR in 6-OHDA-treated PC12 cells were significantly abolished by Akt and MEK inhibitor. Thus, AR extract possesses neuroprotective effects, probably through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. These findings suggest the potential application of AR in the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

Protective Effects of Amauroderma rugosum on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through Suppressing Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Apoptosis, and Activating Akt/mTOR and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathways

“…Fruiting bodies of AR and GL were provided by Mytianran Healthcare Limited (Hong Kong, China), which has been granted an organic crop production certificate by the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre. The extraction method has been described previously [ 18 ]. All extracts were dissolved in water and concentrated in 80 mL with a rotary evaporator and stored at −20°C before use.…”

“…The precipitate was dissolved in hot water in a total volume of 35 mL and kept at 4°C for the detection of the total polysaccharide content. The methodology for determination of total phenolic compound, polysaccharide, and triterpene content has been described previously [ 18 ]. Glucose (GE), gallic acid (GAE), and oleanolic acid (OA) were used as standards during the chemical analysis of the polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and triterpenes, respectively.…”

“…Its hymenium has a white surface, which turns dark red when scratched. Because of this, AR is also called “blood Linzhi” in Chinese [ 18 ]. AR has been used as a traditional medicine in China and Malaysia for the treatment of inflammation, cancers, gastric disorders, and epilepsy [ 19 ].…”

“…Although AR is consumed by people in China and South Asia, very few scientific studies have been conducted to explore its medicinal value or its beneficial effects on human health. We have previously reported that AR extract can protect PC12 neuroblastoma cells against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects [ 18 ]. It has been hypothesized that AR may also influence reducing Dox-induced cardiotoxicity due to its remarkable antioxidant capacity.…”

Gastroprotective effects of water extract of domesticated Amauroderma rugosum against several gastric ulcer models in rats

“… 2013 , 2015 ; Li J et al. 2021 ). However, the effects of A. rugosum on gastric mucosa damage is still unclear.…”