抄録
The mushroom contains many biologically active compounds with high utility value such as polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, lipids, terpenoids, and steroids in their fruiting bodies and/or mycelium. Polysaccharide fractions in mushrooms have become of particular interest in recent years because of their anti-potential for tumors in bioassays in vitro and in vivo. For instance, enhancement of anti-tumor immunity after intraperitoneal injection and/or oral supplementation has been reported in animals such as mice. Typical anti-tumor polysaccharides have a main chain composed of β-(1→3)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues, and β-(1→6)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues attached as side chains to approximtely every 2-10 sugar residues of the main chain. In the case of Agarics blazei, the polysaccharide moiety of an anti-tumor fraction has a linear β-(1→6)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues. Trehalose, one of the main oligosaccharides of the mushroom, can inhibit polyglutamine-mediate protein aggregation. Moreover, its oral administration has been found to result in beneficial effects in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington disease. Furthermore, Trehalose is suggested to be effective for anti-osteoposis. Also, lipophilic compounds isolated from mushrooms are of interest as biologically active materials, just like polysaccharides. The authors have examined the apoptosis- and differentiation-inducing effects of lipophilic extracts of mushrooms on HL60 human leukemia cells and established that the acetone-extract of Sarcodon aspratus, among several local and minor mushrooms, exerts marked inhibition of the growth of HL60 cells, with induction of apoptotic cell bodies, nuclear fragmentation, and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation. An active component was isolated by solid extraction followed by silica gel chromatography and identified as ergosterol peroxide by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Regarding differentiation-induction in HL60 cells, the ethanol extract of Ganoderma neojaponicum also showed marked effects. Advancing research on biological activity of mushroom components in light of the current result may well contribute to health enhancement and enrichment of the quality of life. In addition, it can be expected to benefit the mushroom-farmer's income.
