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Ageing Research Reviews Jun 2023Age-related loss of function brings age-related disease, and therefore it is of primary importance to search for interventions that can help minimize detrimental... (Review)
Review
Age-related loss of function brings age-related disease, and therefore it is of primary importance to search for interventions that can help minimize detrimental symptoms people deal with in old age. Fungi have always been given a great deal of attention and reverence in traditional medical practices for their ability to minimize harmful symptoms of diseases. More recently, the role of fungi in influencing healthspan and lifespan is being directly studied in the lab. To treat animal model organisms with fungi-derived molecules, extractions from different life cycle stages of fungi are performed. This includes mycelium (the vegetative stage), sporocarps (the reproductive stage), or spores (the end product of the reproductive stage), and each stage provides a variety of bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds include glycoproteins, polysaccharides, triterpenoids, meroterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, benzopyran derivatives, and benzoic acid derivatives, amongst others. In this work, we review evidence that fungal extracts from multiple species can have beneficial effects on the lifespan and healthspan of model organisms, such as C. elegans worms, D. melanogaster flies, and M. musculus mice. We cover extraction methods and lifespan effects of Ganoderma lucidum (i.e. Reishi), Lentinula edodes (i.e. Shiitake), the genus Auricularia (i.e. jelly ear mushrooms), the genera Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps (e.g. the caterpillar fungi), Hericium erinaceus (i.e. Lion's mane), the mold genus Monascus, and also Inonotus obliquus (i.e. Chaga), Grifola frondosa (i.e. Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom). We propose that further research on fungal extracts will provide a greater picture of the role fungi-derived bioactive molecules can have in developing longevity and neuroprotective medicines for humans.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Mice; Longevity; Caenorhabditis elegans; Chickens; Drosophila melanogaster; Fungi
PubMed: 37031727
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101929 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Statins have been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Natural fermentation processes of fungi such as spp., spp.,... (Review)
Review
Statins have been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Natural fermentation processes of fungi such as spp., spp., , and have given rise to natural statins. Compactin (mevastatin), the original naturally occurring statin, is the primary biotransformation substrate in the manufacturing process of marketed drugs. Statins are classified into natural, semi-synthetic derivatives of natural statins, and synthetic ones. Synthetic statins differ from natural statins in their structural composition, with the only common feature being the HMG-CoA-like moiety responsible for suppressing HMG-CoA reductase. Statins do not differ significantly regarding their pleiotropic and adverse effects, but their characteristics depend on their pharmacokinetic parameters and chemical properties. This paper focuses on describing the processes of obtaining natural statins, detailing the pharmacokinetics of available statins, divided into natural and synthetic, and indicating their pleiotropic effects.
Topics: Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Pharmacy; Fungi; Lovastatin
PubMed: 38203637
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010466 -
Nutrients May 2023Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is a key target for lowering cardiovascular risk and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease... (Review)
Review
Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is a key target for lowering cardiovascular risk and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Red yeast rice (RYR) is a nutraceutical widely used as a lipid-lowering dietary supplement. The main cholesterol-lowering components of RYR are monacolins, particularly monacolin K, which is structurally identical to lovastatin and targets the same key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. RYR supplementation reduces LDL-C levels by approximately 15-34% versus placebo, with a similar effect to low-dose, first-generation statins in subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia. RYR has also demonstrated beneficial reductions of up to 45% versus placebo in the risk of ASCVD events in secondary prevention studies. RYR at a dose that provides about 3 mg/d of monacolin K is well tolerated, with an adverse event profile similar to that of low-dose statins. RYR is therefore a treatment option for lowering LDL-C levels and ASCVD risk for people with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia who are ineligible for statin therapy, particularly those who are unable to implement lifestyle modifications, and also for people who are eligible for statin therapy but who are unwilling to take a pharmacologic therapy.
Topics: Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Cholesterol, LDL; Hyperlipidemias; Cholesterol; Lovastatin; Biological Products; Dietary Supplements; Atherosclerosis; Anticholesteremic Agents
PubMed: 37242171
DOI: 10.3390/nu15102288 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022Amino acid metabolism could exert regulatory effects on pigments (MPs) biosynthesis. In this work, MPs biosynthesis regulated by methionine and S-adenosylmethionine...
Amino acid metabolism could exert regulatory effects on pigments (MPs) biosynthesis. In this work, MPs biosynthesis regulated by methionine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) was investigated in RP2. The results indicated that the addition of methionine in fermentation significantly reduced MPs production by 60-70%, and it induced a higher expression of SAM synthetase Mon2A2272 and consequently led to SAM accumulation. However, the addition of SAM in fermentation promoted MPs production by a maximum of 35%, while over-expression of the gene led to a decrease in MPs yield, suggesting that SAM synthetase and SAM were likely to play different regulatory roles in MPs biosynthesis. Furthermore, the gene transcription profile indicated that SAM synthetase expression led to a higher expression of the transcriptional regulatory protein of the MPs biosynthesis gene cluster, while the addition of SAM gave rise to a higher expression of MPs biosynthesis activator and the global regulator LaeA, which probably accounted for changes in MPs production and the mycelium colony morphology of RP2 triggered by methionine and SAM. This work proposed a possible regulation mechanism of MPs biosynthesis by SAM metabolism from methionine. The findings provided a new perspective for a deep understanding of MPs biosynthesis regulation in
PubMed: 35774468
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.921540 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022In order to improve the flavor and taste of Camembert cheese, the use of Monascus as an adjunct starter for the production of Camembert-type cheese was studied to...
In order to improve the flavor and taste of Camembert cheese, the use of Monascus as an adjunct starter for the production of Camembert-type cheese was studied to investigate its effect on the proteolysis, lipolysis, and volatile compounds during ripening for 40 days. The Camembert cheese without Monascus was used as a control. The results showed that proteolytic and lipolytic activities increased to a certain extent. The addition of Monascus promoted primary and secondary proteolysis, due to the release of some proteases by Monascus. Aspartic, Threonine, Glutamic, Glycine, Methione, Isoleucine, Phenyalanine, and Lysine contents in experimental group (R) cheese were significantly higher than those in control group (W) cheeses. In addition, the free amino acid and fatty acid contents were also affected. The identification of flavor components using gas-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that 2-undecone, 2-tridecanone, phenylethyl alcohol, butanediol (responsible for the production of flowery and honey-like aroma), ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, and ethyl citrate (fruit-like aroma) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the experimental cheeses than in the control. The contents of 2-nonanone, 2-octanone and 2-decanone (showing milky flavor), and 1-octene-3 alcohol with typical mushroom-like flavor were lower than the control.
PubMed: 35681411
DOI: 10.3390/foods11111662 -
International Journal of Food... Oct 2022Red fermented rice (RFR) is rice fermented using Monascus spp. This product contains monacolin K, providing health benefits including mitigation of diarrhoea and... (Review)
Review
Monascus spp. and citrinin: Identification, selection of Monascus spp. isolates, occurrence, detection and reduction of citrinin during the fermentation of red fermented rice.
Red fermented rice (RFR) is rice fermented using Monascus spp. This product contains monacolin K, providing health benefits including mitigation of diarrhoea and improving blood circulation. RFR can produce pigments that can act as natural colour and flavouring agents. However, Monascus spp. (a fungal starter to ferment RFR) can also produce the mycotoxin, citrinin (CIT) which is believed to have adverse effects on human health. CIT in RFR has been reported worldwide by using different methods of detection. This review focuses on the production of RFR by solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF), the occurrence of CIT in RFR, CIT quantification, the factors affecting the growth of Monascus spp., pigments and CIT production in RFR, and possible methods to reduce CIT in RFR. This review will help the food industries, researchers, and consumers understand the risk of consuming RFR, and the possibility of controlling CIT in RFR.
Topics: Citrinin; Fermentation; Humans; Lovastatin; Monascus; Oryza
PubMed: 35863149
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109829 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited...
, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited stability of MPs and mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) constrain the industry. Extremolytes like ectoine, derived from bacteria, exhibit cytoprotective potential. Here, we investigated the impact of ectoine on ATCC 16365, emphasizing development and secondary metabolism. Exogenous 5 mM ectoine supplementation substantially increased the yields of MPs and MK (105%-150%) and reduced CTN production. Ectoine influenced mycelial growth, spore development, and gene expression in . Remarkably, ectoine biosynthesis was achieved in , showing comparable effects to exogenous addition. Notably, endogenous ectoine effectively enhanced the stability of MPs under diverse stress conditions. Our findings propose an innovative strategy for augmenting the production and stability of bioactive compounds while reducing CTN levels, advancing the industry.
PubMed: 37685150
DOI: 10.3390/foods12173217 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2017Red yeast rice (RYR), produced by the fermentation of the Monascus purpureus mold, has been used for a long time in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. It consists...
Red yeast rice (RYR), produced by the fermentation of the Monascus purpureus mold, has been used for a long time in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, including monacolins, which potentially can be used as a nutraceutical. Monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin, has been recognized as responsible for the cholesterolreducing effect of this compound. While the European Food Safety Authority maintains that the use of monacolin K from RYR preparations of at least 10 mg can produce a normal blood cholesterol level, the United States Food and Drug Administration considers monacolin K, due to its similarity with lovastatin, an unapproved drug, and therefore marketing of products that label the monacolin content is prohibited. This mini-review summarizes the benefit of RYR in hyperlipidemia, maintains RYR use as a food, and addresses the importance of regulation regarding RYR and the need for clinical data and clear label information for consumers with reference to a toxin-free, nonaugmented, standardized amount of monacolins.
PubMed: 28257063
DOI: 10.3390/foods6030019 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2018The production of pigments and related byproducts, via microbial fermentation, has been broadly utilized as coloring by traditional food industries and as a natural... (Review)
Review
The production of pigments and related byproducts, via microbial fermentation, has been broadly utilized as coloring by traditional food industries and as a natural textile dye. In addition to these traditional purposes, pigments have been recently favored for a variety of commercial and academic purposes. Pigments and derivatives formed during fermentation have pharmaceutical and clinical properties that can counteract common diseases, including obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cancer. Various research attempts have investigated the optimum conditions for this derived compound synthesis, as well as the still-unknown bio-functional effects. Recently, several studies were conducted using sp. KCCM 10093 and its derivatives. These experimental outcomes potentially reflect the bio-functional features of sp. KCCM 10093. However, no publication to date provides an overview of sp. KCCM 10093's unique metabolite products, functionalities, or biological pathways. In order to develop profitable commercial applications of sp. KCCM 10093, it is necessary not only to conduct continuous research, but also to systematically organize previous studies. The goals of this review are to investigate the current derivatives of sp. KCCM 10093 pigments-some of which have demonstrated newly-identified functionality-and the relevant uses of these molecules for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical purposes.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Antiviral Agents; Cholesterol; Fermentation; Food Coloring Agents; Food Industry; Humans; Monascus; Pigments, Biological; Secondary Metabolism
PubMed: 29301350
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23010098