Research Topic: polysaccharides

Research on the Action and Mechanism of Pharmacological Components of Omphalia lapidescens

Omphalia lapidescens, a medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains multiple bioactive compounds with promising health benefits. These compounds can fight parasitic infections, inhibit cancer cell growth, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant protection. While clinical use shows benefits especially for gastric cancer when combined with chemotherapy, more research is needed to understand how these compounds work and to improve cultivation and production methods.

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Exploring the health benefits of Ganoderma: antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of action

Ganoderma is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and is now being studied for its ability to fight infections. The mushroom contains special compounds like polysaccharides and triterpenoids that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi in multiple ways—by breaking down their cell walls, stopping them from reproducing, and boosting your immune system. Scientists have found that Ganoderma works against many dangerous bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains, and it may offer a natural alternative to conventional antibiotics as antibiotic resistance becomes a major global health problem.

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Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

Mucormycosis is a dangerous fungal infection that kills many immunocompromised patients. Researchers analyzed the outer layer (cell wall) of three common disease-causing fungi and discovered that their surfaces contain sugar-like molecules that trigger strong inflammatory responses from the immune system. This excessive inflammation may actually contribute to the disease’s severity, suggesting that controlling inflammation alongside antifungal treatment might improve patient outcomes.

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Astragalus Shiitake—A Novel Functional Food with High Polysaccharide Content and Anti-Proliferative Activity in a Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Line

Scientists developed a new type of Shiitake mushroom by growing it on a special substrate enriched with Astragalus root. This novel mushroom contains significantly more beneficial polysaccharides than regular Shiitake. When tested against colorectal cancer cells, extracts from this mushroom showed strong cancer-fighting properties, with the ultrasound extraction method being most effective. This research suggests Astragalus Shiitake could become a powerful functional food for cancer prevention and treatment.

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Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

Researchers studied three dangerous fungi that cause serious infections called mucormycosis. They examined the outer coating of these fungi, called the cell wall, which is made of sugar-like molecules called polysaccharides. When these fungi were exposed to human immune cells, they triggered strong inflammatory responses. Understanding these fungal components could help develop better treatments and vaccines for this life-threatening infection.

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Innovative chitin-glucan based material obtained from mycelium of wood decay fungal strains

Researchers have developed a new sustainable leather-like material from fungal mycelium that could replace traditional animal leather and synthetic alternatives. By growing specific wood decay fungi in controlled fermentation systems and extracting their chitin and glucan content, they created flexible sheets with mechanical properties similar to real leather. The materials are biodegradable, require no animal farming, and avoid toxic tanning processes, making them a promising eco-friendly solution for fashion and furniture industries.

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Research Progress of Polysaccharide-Gold Nanocomplexes in Drug Delivery

Scientists are combining polysaccharides (natural compounds found in plants and organisms) with tiny gold particles to create better drug delivery systems. These hybrid nanoparticles can transport medicines directly to cancer cells while reducing side effects and improving treatment effectiveness. The review discusses how these gold-polysaccharide combinations can also fight bacteria and viruses, making them useful for various medical applications beyond cancer therapy.

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Effects of Natural Polysaccharides on the Gut Microbiota Related to Human Metabolic Health

Natural plant and organism sugars called polysaccharides can improve your gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and strengthening your intestinal barrier. These compounds help prevent diseases like obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease by changing the types of bacteria in your gut and producing helpful substances. Polysaccharides come from common foods like mushrooms, seaweed, berries, and vegetables, making them potential natural treatments for various health conditions.

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Heat Treatment of Reishi Medicinal Mushroom (Ganoderma lingzhi) Basidiocarp Enhanced Its β-glucan Solubility, Antioxidant Capacity and Lactogenic Properties

This study shows that heating dried Reishi mushrooms at 150°C for 20 minutes improves their health benefits. The heat treatment increases antioxidant compounds, makes the beneficial β-glucans more available, and enhances prebiotic effects that feed good gut bacteria while suppressing harmful bacteria. These findings suggest that properly heated Reishi mushroom products could be more effective as functional food ingredients without losing their medicinal properties.

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