Medicinal – Page 151

Study on Optimization of Liquid Fermentation Medium and Antitumor Activity of the Mycelium on Phyllopora lonicerae

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Scientists optimized how to grow Phylloporia lonicerae fungus in the lab, increasing its production by 142% while cutting growth time by two-thirds. They discovered that certain compounds extracted from this fungus, particularly from a petroleum ether extract, can kill cancer cells and trigger apoptosis. The petroleum ether extract was more effective than the standard cancer drug 5-fluorouracil, especially against esophageal cancer cells, suggesting this fungus could be developed into a natural anti-cancer treatment.

Agar–Agar Gels Carrying Curative and Preventive Agents Against Helminths: An In Vitro Compatibility Evaluation

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This research demonstrates that a new gel made from edible seaweed (agar-agar) can safely deliver deworming medications to animals while also containing a beneficial fungus that destroys parasite eggs in soil. Tests showed that the deworming drugs piperazine and levamisole did not interfere with the fungus’s ability to grow and reproduce. This combined approach could provide both immediate treatment and long-term prevention of parasitic infections in pets and farm animals.

Unraveling the Fungi–Cancer Connection

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Fungi living in and around tumors play surprisingly important roles in cancer development and treatment response, yet they have been largely overlooked compared to bacteria. Different cancer types host specific fungal species that can promote tumor growth through immune suppression and toxin production. By better understanding and potentially targeting these tumor-associated fungi, researchers believe we could develop new combination treatments that enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies.

Professor Emel Tümbay (1941–2025): A Pioneer of Medical Mycology in Türkiye

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Professor Emel Tümbay was a pioneering scientist who transformed medical mycology in Türkiye from 1941 to 2025. She established the country’s first diagnostic mycology laboratory, wrote important reference books, and trained many specialists who spread her knowledge throughout the nation. Her work helped doctors better understand and treat fungal diseases, and she is remembered as a dedicated educator and passionate scientist.

Fungal peritonitis in a patient on peritoneal dialysis caused by Hyphopichia burtonii: A rare pathogen in human infection

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A woman with kidney disease on peritoneal dialysis developed an unusual fungal infection caused by Hyphopichia burtonii, a fungus typically found in spoiled food. The infection was diagnosed using advanced protein analysis technology and treated with antifungal medication after removing the dialysis catheter. Though extremely rare in humans, this case shows that unusual fungi can cause serious infections in patients with weakened immune systems and highlights the importance of considering these organisms when standard treatments don’t work.

Ergostane-type steroids from mushrooms of Pleurotus genus

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Oyster mushrooms and king trumpet mushrooms contain special compounds called ergostane-type steroids that have interesting chemical structures. These compounds can fight inflammation and may help with cancer. Scientists have discovered that some of these compounds have unique rearranged structures that don’t exist in other organisms. These mushroom-derived compounds show promise for developing new medicines.

SUB6 Subtilisin is Involved During the Initial Adhesion of Trichophyton benhamiae and T. mentagrophytes onto Reconstructed Human Epidermis

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This study examined how a fungal protein called SUB6 helps dermatophytes (fungi causing ringworm) stick to human skin. Researchers used genetically modified fungi without SUB6 and found that these strains had difficulty initially attaching to skin but eventually infected it anyway. The results suggest SUB6 is a useful marker for detecting fungal infections but isn’t absolutely necessary for the fungus to cause disease.

Nontargeted metabonomics analysis of Scorias spongiosa fruiting bodies at different growth stages

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This study analyzed the chemical composition of Scorias spongiosa, an edible fungus, at different stages of growth using advanced laboratory techniques. Researchers found that the fungus contains beneficial compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other health-promoting properties. The study recommends harvesting the fungus at its earliest growth stage to preserve the most beneficial compounds for food and nutritional products.

Evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of fruiting body and mycelium extracts from edible yellow morel (Morchella esculenta L. Pers.)

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This study examined morel mushrooms from Pakistan to see if they could help treat Alzheimer’s disease and related brain conditions. Researchers tested both the fruiting bodies and the root-like mycelia of Morchella esculenta mushrooms for their ability to fight oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and inhibit an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for memory. The results showed that morel extracts, especially from fruiting bodies collected in certain regions, worked as well as or better than conventional medications, suggesting these common edible mushrooms could be developed into treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

The first report of rhinosinusitis by Rhizopus delemar in a patient with severe COVID-19 in Iran: a case report

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A 63-year-old man hospitalized with COVID-19 developed a serious fungal sinus infection caused by a rare mold called Rhizopus delemar. Despite surgery to remove infected tissue and treatment with antifungal medication amphotericin B, the infection spread and the patient died after five weeks. This was the first documented case of this particular mold causing sinus infection in a COVID-19 patient in Iran, highlighting how severe fungal infections can occur as dangerous complications of COVID-19.

Research Topic: Medicinal