Current advances in Phellinus sensu lato: medicinal species, functions, metabolites and mechanisms

Twenty-six species of Phellinus sensu lato, reported as medicinal mushrooms, are enumerated in this review. The species’ names were checked and revised according to contemporary taxonomy and the latest version of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code); two misapplied names of Phellinus baumii Pilát and Phellinus himalayensis Y.C. Dai in previous reports are also discussed. Of the 20 types of medicinal functions, the most shared functions are antitumor and improving immunity, both of which may be viewed as the basal functions of Phellinus s. l. In addition, alleviating septic shock, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidation are also a routine functions mentioned often. The main medicinal metabolites, including several kinds of polysaccharides and polyphenols, are introduced. Different methods and conditions could purify various polysaccharides with difference in activity level even from the same species, while all polyphenols are hispidin and its derivatives in general. Three aspects of mechanism contribute to antitumor activities of polysaccharides: (1) promoting an immune response, (2) inducing cell apoptosis, and (3) inhibiting metastasis. Other general mechanisms of the metabolites in antioxidant activity, and in treating diabetes, as well as complications are summarized. We also elaborate on potential scientific strategies for obtaining the medicinal metabolites from Phellinus s. l., such as artificial cultivation, the discoveries of more species with medicinal functions, the utilization of species growing quickly, and the optimization of culture conditions and media supplements in fermentation.     

D-galactosamine complexes with copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II)

The potentiometric and spectroscopic methods were applied to describe the equilibria for the Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II), D-galactosamine solutions. The stability constants, the spectral data, and the results obtained earlier precisely defined the binding ability of the aminosugars.     

Dendroecology of Prosopis flexuosa woodlands in the Monte desert: Implications for their management

In the Monte desert of Argentina open woodlands of several species of Prosopis occur in areas with accessible underground water. The great latitudinal extent of the Monte (26–43°S) exhibits strong climatic gradients involving temperature, rainfall seasonality, and wind regime. Prosopis woodlands have been a source of subsistence for human communities for several centuries and continue to be exploited by the local inhabitants. The “mining” of this resource has led to severe desertification and consequent impoverishment of the local people. In order to suggest strategies for the better management and recuperation of these woodlands we studied the population structure and productivity of Prosopis flexuosa from multiple plots at Pipanaco (27°58′S), Telteca (32°20′S), and Ñacuñán (34°03′S). For each plot we measured the density of P. flexuosa trees, number of stems, basal diameter (DAB), height and canopy diameter of each tree. Tree ring data were used to determine the growth rates, annual wood production and biological rotation age for each area. The ecological structure of the woodlands differs between the three sites. Along this north–south transect, there is a decrease in adult tree density, mean basal diameter, mean tree height, canopy cover, productivity and total wood biomass. Consequently, the potential sustainable use of these woodlands varies. Only the northern, Pipanaco, woodlands have the potential for lumber production. In contrast, the short, multi-stem and low-productivity trees in the Telteca and Ñacuñán areas can only sustain a combination of local firewood production and activities such as extensive grazing by livestock. The present, uniform regulations for harvesting wood in these areas must be changed to acknowledge these differences in order to optimize wood production in, and conservation of, these woodlands.     

Angelman's syndrome and 15q11-q13 deletion

We discuss the results of cytogenetic reinvestigation in 10 patients with Angelman's syndrome reexamined during the last year. A deletion with 15q11-13 could be demonstrated in 6 of them, confirming that with the available cytogenetic techniques a 15q11-13 deletion is visible and detectable in at least half of the patients with this MCA/MR syndrome. On the other hand, the deletion could not be seen in two affected siblings. This indicates that de novo visible 15q11-13 deletions with low recurrence risk and autosomal recessively inherited cases combine to give an overall sib recurrence risk of less than 25%.     

Nucleotide sequence of gene cryIIID encoding a novel coleopteran-active crystal protein from strain BTI109P of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki.

The nucleotide sequence of a novel insecticidal crystal protein(Cry)-encoding gene from a Bacillus thuringiensis serotype kurstaki isolate is described. The gene is related to the known coleopteran-active cryIII genes and encodes a CryIIID that is much more active against Colorado potato beetle than other CryIII.     

Famotidine, the new antiulcero-genic agent, a potent ligand for metal ions.

Potentiometric, polarographic, and spectroscopic results obtained for Cu2+ and Ni(2+)-famotidine systems clearly indicated that this anti-ulcerogenic drug is a very potent chelating agent able to coordinate cupric ion that was at pH below 2. This drug exhibits excellent histamine H2 receptor blocking effects and its effective coordination to metal ions may have significant biological implications. Famotidine is found to be a very effective ligand for Ni2+ ions also.     

Xyloglucan-based diblock co-oligomer: Synthesis,self-assembly and steric stabilization of proteins

We propose a novel plant-based amphiphilic diblock co-oligomers (BCO) surfactant containing only carbohydrate segments and examine its potential as a biosourced stabilizer. The synthesis of an amphiphilic xyloglucan-based BCO, composed of a hydrophilic xyloglucan oligosaccharide (XGO) block “clicked” to a hydrophobic peracetylated XGO is described. Dynamic light scattering experiments correlated with transmission electron microscopy observations showed that this new class of amphiphilic BCO self-assembles in water to form spherical micelles with a hydrodynamic diameter of 22 nm. Preliminary studies indicate that the XGO-based BCO sterically stabilizes gliadin and zein nanoparticle suspensions. The stabilization results were compared to those using pluronic F-68, a commercial surfactant. For gliadin nanoparticles, both surfactants result in essentially the same morphology and polydispersity. However, for the zein nanoparticles, the XGO-based BCO stabilizer gave lower polydispersity.