Polysaccharide and Extracts from Lentinula edodes: Structural Features and Antiviral Activity
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2012-02-15
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Summary
This research investigated how compounds extracted from shiitake mushrooms could help fight viral infections. The study found that different extracts from the mushroom were effective at preventing virus replication, particularly in the early stages of infection. This has important implications for developing natural antiviral treatments.
Impacts on everyday life:
• Potential development of natural antiviral medications from mushrooms
• New ways to combat viral infections using food-derived compounds
• Expanded understanding of shiitake mushrooms’ health benefits
• Possible alternatives to synthetic antiviral drugs
Background
Natural compounds have gained attention for their antiviral properties since the 1980s. The basidiomycete Lentinula edodes (shiitake) is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, being the second most popular mushroom worldwide. While various therapeutic compounds have been isolated from its mycelium and fruiting body, few studies have examined its antiviral activity.
Objective
To determine the antiviral activity of aqueous (AqE) and ethanol (EtOHE) extracts and polysaccharide (LeP) from Lentinula edodes against poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) and bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV-1).
Results
The aqueous extract (AqE) and polysaccharide (LeP) showed highest effectiveness when added at 0h of infection. The ethanol extract (EtOHE) was most effective at 1h and 2h post-infection. All three substances showed low virucidal activity and insignificant inhibition of viral adsorption. The substances demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of viral replication.
Conclusion
AqE, EtOHE and LeP act on the initial processes of PV-1 and BoHV-1 replication. These extracts and polysaccharide could be considered as potential sources of antiviral substances, though further research is needed to better understand the specific mechanisms of viral inhibition.
- Published in:Virology Journal,
- Study Type:Laboratory Research,
- Source: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-37