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Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Extracts from Fruiting Bodies and Mycelial Cultures of Fomitopsis betulina

Summary

This research compared the chemical composition and medicinal properties of birch polypore mushroom (Fomitopsis betulina) grown both naturally and in laboratory cultures. The study found that both forms contain beneficial compounds that could help fight cancer and reduce inflammation. The laboratory-grown version showed particular promise in fighting prostate cancer cells while being safe for normal cells. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a sustainable way to produce anti-cancer compounds through lab cultivation • Offers potential new natural treatments for prostate cancer and inflammation • Demonstrates how traditional medicinal mushrooms can be scientifically validated • Shows how laboratory cultivation could make medicinal mushroom compounds more widely available • Supports the development of new natural pharmaceutical products

Background

Fomitopsis betulina has been used medicinally for over 5000 years, with the oldest evidence being fragments found with the ice man Ötzi from 3300 BC. The fruiting bodies have traditionally been used for antimicrobial purposes, wound healing, as a laxative and for stomach disorders. Modern studies have confirmed various biological activities including immunomodulatory, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects.

Objective

To conduct a comparative analysis of selected groups of metabolites in extracts from fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures of F. betulina, and to evaluate their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. This is the first comprehensive study comparing the chemical composition and biological activities between fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures of this species.

Results

The study identified and quantified multiple bioactive compounds including phenolic acids, indole derivatives, sterols, triterpenes and fatty acids in both fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures. The mycelium extract showed significant cytotoxic activity against DU145 prostate cancer cells and moderate effect against A375 melanoma cells, while being non-toxic to normal cells. Extracts from both sources demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by reducing COX-2 expression, with mycelial extracts showing stronger effects.

Conclusion

The research demonstrates that mycelial cultures of F. betulina could serve as a potential biotechnological source for selected biologically active compounds. The mycelial extract shows particular promise as a supporting agent in prostate cancer therapy, though further studies are needed. The study provides the first comprehensive comparison of chemical composition and biological activities between fruiting bodies and mycelial cultures of this species.
  • Published in:Molecular Biology Reports,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1007/s11033-018-4420-4
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