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Characteristics and Antitumor Activity of Morchella esculenta Polysaccharide Extracted by Pulsed Electric Field

Summary

This research investigated how compounds extracted from the edible mushroom Morchella esculenta could potentially fight cancer. Scientists used an innovative electrical extraction method to obtain special sugar molecules (polysaccharides) from the mushroom and tested their effects on colon cancer cells. The extracted compounds were able to kill cancer cells while preserving their natural structure better than traditional extraction methods. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides new evidence for the health benefits of consuming medicinal mushrooms – Demonstrates potential natural alternatives for cancer treatment with fewer side effects – Advances food processing technology for better preservation of beneficial compounds – Shows promise for development of new anti-cancer medications from natural sources – Supports traditional knowledge about medicinal properties of mushrooms

Background

Wild and artificial mushrooms are valued as edible and medical resources due to their rich content of essential bio-macromolecules like polysaccharides, proteins and polynucleotides. Morchella esculenta is particularly cherished for both nutritional and medicinal values due to its bioactive substances including polysaccharides, proteins, trace elements, dietary fibers and vitamins. It has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities attributed to its polysaccharides.

Objective

To investigate the chemical structure and anti-proliferating and antitumor activities of a Morchella esculenta polysaccharide (MEP) extracted by pulsed electric field (PEF) in submerged fermentation. The study aimed to validate whether PEF treatment could extract endo-polysaccharide(s) from M. esculenta with minimal thermal degradation.

Results

The MEP fraction M2 with an average molecular weight of 81,835 Da consisted of xylose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose in the ratio of 5.4:5.0:6.5:7.8:72.3. M2 demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activity against HT-29 colon cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Even at a low concentration of 200 μg/mL after 24h, M2 inhibited the growth of over 54.29% of HT-29 cells. The apoptotic ratio increased from 12.88% at 24h to 22.64% at 48h with 800 μg/mL M2 treatment.

Conclusion

PEF extraction successfully yielded bioactive polysaccharides from M. esculenta with minimal thermal degradation. The extracted polysaccharide M2 showed significant anti-proliferative activity against colon cancer cells through induction of apoptosis. This study provides detailed structural characterization of anti-proliferating polysaccharides from M. esculenta and demonstrates their potential therapeutic applications.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms17060986
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