Protective effect of medicinal fungus Xylaria nigripes mycelia extracts against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

Abstract

Xylaria nigripes (XN) is a medicinal fungus that was used traditionally as a diuretic, nerve tonic, and for treating insomnia and trauma. In this study, we elucidated possible mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of XN mycelia extracts. XN mycelia were produced by fermentation. Hot water extract and 70% ethanol extract of XN mycelia were evaluated on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in PC12, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line. Both XN extracts effectively protected PC12 cells against H2O2-induced cell damage by inhibiting release of lactate dehydrogenase, decreasing DNA damage, restoring mitochondrial membrane potential, and arresting abnormal apoptosis through upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Bax and caspase 3. Compared to water extract, ethanol extract showed not only greater neuroprotective effects but also a higher antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and reducing power. High phenolic content and antioxidant activity may provide the neuroprotective properties of XN ethanol extract.

Media optimization of antimicrobial activity production and beta-glucan content of endophytic fungi Xylaria sp. BCC 1067

“…Additionally, flavonoid contents were also found in the mycelial extracts of Xylaria sp. [40] while ergosterol and linoleic acid methyl esters have been found in the fruiting body fraction of Xylaria polymorpha [41] .…”

Spirocyclic derivatives as antioxidants: a review

“… 155 Various “ in vivo ” and “ in vitro ” investigations have shown that Xylaria nigripes has biological activities such as antitumor, 156 prevention of spatial memory impairment, 157 anti-inflammatory, 158 immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, 159 antidepressant activity in epileptic patients, 152 improvements of sensitivity to insulin, neuroprotective, 160 and AO activities. 153,161 …”

“…151 Xylaria nigripes, also known as Wu Ling Shen, belongs to the Xylariaceae family of fungi; it is used in traditional Chinese medicine and grows in nature around abandoned nests of termites, Odontotermes formosanus. 152,153 This medicinal mushroom contains many bioactive molecules such as steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, and amino acids. 154 Xylaria nigripes is traditionally used to treat depression, trauma, sleep disorders, and also as a nerve tonic.…”

“…155 Various "in vivo" and "in vitro" investigations have shown that Xylaria nigripes has biological activities such as antitumor, 156 prevention of spatial memory impairment, 157 anti-inammatory, 158 immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, 159 antidepressant activity in epileptic patients, 152 improvements of sensitivity to insulin, neuroprotective, 160 and AO activities. 153,161 In 2015, a spirocyclic pyrrole alkaloid known as xilapirosides G3 was isolated for the rst time from the EtOH extract of X. nigripes. A new analog of compound G3 was also synthesized, named by the authors as xilapirosides A2 (G4).…”

Two New Compounds from the Fungus Xylaria nigripes

“…Xylaria nigripes (family Xylariaceae) is a medicinal and edible fungus with fruiting bodies well known as “Wu Ling Shen” or “Lei Zhen Zi” in China [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. As a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus, X. nigripes has been used to treat insomnia, trauma, depression, mental illness, and diseases of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”