A biomimetic spore nanoplatform for boosting chemodynamic therapy and bacteria-mediated antitumor immunity for synergistic cancer treatment

Bacterial-based antitumor immunity has become a promising strategy to activate the immune system for fighting cancer.However,the potential application of bacterial therapy is hindered by the presence of instability and susceptibility to infections within bacterial populations.Furthermore,monotherapy is ineffective in completely eliminating complex cancer with multiple contributing factors.In this study,based on our discovery that spore shell(SS)of Bacillus coagulans exhibits excellent tumor-targeting ability and adjuvant activity,we develop a biomimetic spore nanoplatform to boost bacteria-mediated antitumor therapy,chemodynamic therapy and antitumor immunity for synergistic cancer treatment.In detail,SS is separated from probiotic spores and then attached to the surface of liposome(Lipo)that was loaded with hemoglobin(Hb),glucose oxidase(GOx)and JQ1to construct SS@Lipo/Hb/GOx/JQ1.In tumor tissue,highly toxic hydroxyl radicals(·OH)are generated via sequential catalytic reactions:GOx catalyzing glucose into H_(2)O_(2)and Fe^(2+)in Hb decomposing H_(2)O_(2)into·OH.The combination of·OH and SS adjuvant can improve tumor immunogenicity and activate immune system.Meanwhile,JQ1-mediated down-regulation of PD-L1 and Hb-induced hypoxia alleviation synergistically reshape immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and potentiate immune response.In this manner,SS@Lipo/Hb/GOx/JQ1 significantly suppresses tumor growth and metastasis.To summarize,the nanoplatform represents an optimum strategy to potentiate bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy.

Ganoderma lucidum spore oil enhances the effect of paclitaxel,improves the tolerance to paclitaxel and prolongs the survival in Lewis tumor-bearing mice

Purpose:This study aims to investigate whether Ganoderma lucidum spore oil(GLSO)could enhance the effect of paclitaxel(PTX),improve the tolerance to PTX and prolong the overall survival of Lewis tumor-bearing mice,which has never been reported before.Methods:The tumor,spleen,and thymus were weighed at the end of the experiment.Whole blood was collected for hematological index analysis,and the intact femur was removed to determine the bone marrow nucleated cell count(BMN).The percentage of lymphocytes in the spleen of mice was detected by flow cytometry,the activity of NK cells was detected by LDH assay,and the proliferation index of lymphocytes was determined by CCK-8 assay.The overall and mean survival time and life extension rate were calculated using SPSS software.Results:Our data showed that GLSO could enhance the anti-tumor effect of PTX and prolong the survival of mice.The underlying mechanisms of the above effects might be related to the toxic reduction effect of GLSO by relieving hematotoxicity,myelosuppression and immunosuppression.Specifically,GLSO could increase the number of blood cells and bone marrow cells,alleviate the thymic index,and elevate the number and activity of NK cells in mice treated with PTX.Conclusion:GLSO may enhance the efficacy of PTX by boosting the activity of immune NK cells and prolong survival by counteracting PTX-induced bone marrow alterations and improving hematopoiesis.These findings suggested the promising role of GLSO in combination with PTX to extend the survival and increase the tolerance of patients in clinical chemotherapy of lung cancer.

Detection of spores using polarization image features and BP neural network

Timely detection and control of airborne disease is important to improve productivity. This study proposed a novel approach that utilizes micro polarization image features and a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) to classify and identify airborne disease spores in a greenhouse setting. Firstly, disease spores were collected in the greenhouse, and their surface morphological parameters were analyzed. Subsequently, the micropolarization imaging system for disease spores was established, and the micropolarization images of airborne disease spores from greenhouse crops were collected. Then the micropolarization images of airborne disease spores were processed, and the image features of polarization degree and polarization angle of disease spores were extracted. Finally, a disease spore classification model based on the BPNN was ultimately developed. The results showed that the texture position of the surface of the three disease spores was inconsistent, and the texture also showed an irregular shape. Texture information was present on the longitudinal and transverse axes, with the longitudinal axis exhibiting more uneven texture information. The polarization-degree images of the three disease spores exhibit variations in their representation within the entirety of the beam information. The disease spore polarization angle image exhibited the maximum levels of contrast and entropy when the Gabor filter’s direction was set to π/15. The recognition accuracy of cucumber downy mildew spores, tomato gray mildew spores, and cucumber powdery mildew spores were 75.00%, 83.33%, and 96.67%, respectively. The average recognition accuracy of disease spores was 86.67% based on BPNN and micropolarization image features. This study can provide a novel method for the detection of plant disease spores in the greenhouse.

Aqueous-soluble components of sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder promote ferroptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: Ferroptosis is a novel cell death process which displays a promising role in cancer treatment.However, clinically available drugs targeting ferroptosis are rarely used, and yet there are no studies reporting on inducing ferroptosis via Chinese herbal extracts. Here we explored the tumor inhibition effects of Ganoderma lucidum(G. lucidum) on oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC). Specifically, we aimed to clarify the biological mechanism of components in the dietary, aqueous-soluble sporoderm-removed G. lucidum spore powder(A-GSP).Methods: Preliminary transcriptome analysis revealed the significant enrichment of the ferroptosis pathway.Cellular Fe2+, glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS) and lipid peroxide levels were measured to identify ferroptosis occurrence. Western blotting was used to measure ferroptosis-related proteins. Changes in mitochondria morphology and function were observed with transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and ATP detection assays. Ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 was then used to verify the anti-tumor effects of A-GSP. Finally, nude mice xenograft models of oral cancer confirmed that A-GSP inhibited tumor growth.Results: A-GSP promoted ferroptosis in oral cancer cells by inducing Fe2+influx, GSH depletion, as well as lipid peroxide and ROS accumulation. Ferroptosis-related proteins exhibited corresponding changes, particularly Acylco A synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) increase and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) decrease. A-GSP considerably lowered mitochondrial volume and ridge number, while significantly decreasing ATP production. Ferrostatin-1 reversed all of these A-GSP-induced changes. In vivo, A-GSP exerted a ferroptosismediated tumor-suppressing effect without observable adverse reactions.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of A-GSP for treating patients with OSCC by targeting ferroptosis.

Sexual spores in edible mushroom: bioactive components, discharge mechanisms and effects on fruiting bodies quality

Edible mushroom sexual spores have been gaining more interest due to their bioactive components and functions.Spore discharge(SD)is an important factor affecting the quality of edible mushrooms.In this review,the bioactive nutrients of sexual spores of edible mushrooms were summarized,the SD mechanism was described,and the relationship between postharvest SD and the quality of edible mushrooms was analyzed.Spores contain various bioactive nutrients that are benefi cial to the human body.Mature mushrooms can actively discharge spores in a process affected by light,relative humidity,and temperature.During storage,the physiological metabolism of spore-bearing gill tissue is vigorous,promoting the release of postharvest spores and changing the nutritional value of fruiting bodies.The flavor of the fruiting bodies also varied signifi cantly during SD.Edible mushroom sexual spores have the potential to become new raw materials for functional food and medical resources.Research on the effect of the mechanism of SD on the quality of edible mushrooms and the development of SD regulation technology may be a new trend in the quality control of edible mushrooms,which will promote the development of the edible mushroom industry.

Volatile Components and Antitumor Activity of Ganoderma lucidum Spore Oil and Its Molecular Distillation Components

[Objectives]To compare the effects of molecular distillation on the flavor and antitumor activity of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil.[Methods]G.lucidum spore oil was separated and purified by molecular distillation technology,and the volatile components of different components of molecular distillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry(GC-IMS)technology.Human liver carcinoma cells(HepG2),human breast cancer cells(MCF-7),and human cervical cancer cells(Hela)were selected as the tumor cell lines to be tested,and the cell viability was detected by the MTT assay.[Results]Molecular distillation effectively reduced small molecular substances produced by oil oxidation in G.lucidum spore oil,such as heptanal,octanal,linalool,hexanal,E-2-octanal,3-ethylpyridine,etc.Among the heavy components,the content of esters was relatively high,mainly including ethyl levulinate,ethyl crotonate,and amyl butyrate.The MTT cytotoxicity test indicated that G.lucidum spore oil and its molecular distillation components had certain inhibitory effects on the growth of three tumor cells,and G.lucidum spore oil crude oil had the most significant antitumor activity.G.lucidum spore oil crude oil,heavy component,and light component had the most significant antitumor activity on HepG2 cells,followed by MCF-7 cells,and the weakest antitumor activity on Hela cells.The quality of G.lucidum spore oil became higher after molecular distillation,and the rancid smell was reduced,and molecular distillation had little effect on the antitumor activity of G.lucidum spores.[Conclusions]Molecular distillation technology can be applied to the refining of G.lucidum spore oil to improve product quality.

Energy status regulated umami compound metabolism in harvested shiitake mushrooms(Lentinus edodes)with spores triggered to release

The molecular mechanisms of energy status related to the umami taste of postharvest shiitake mushrooms during spore release remain poorly understood.In this study,the variations of energy status and umami taste of mushrooms were measured at 25℃.At 24 h storage,slight spore prints of mushrooms were first pictured,respiration peaked.Significant ATP decrease and ADP increase were also observed as the initiation of postharvest senescence(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the activities of phosphohexose isomerase,succinate dehydrogenase,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase and the contents of umami nucleotides and amino acids were maintained at higher levels in mushrooms with spore release.Notably,the equivalent umami concentration(EUC)was strongly correlated with energy levels(R=0.80).Fifteen related gene expression levels in the energy metabolism pathway were downregulated.LecpdP1 and LeAK were significantly expressed in the conversion of ATP into AMP and played key roles in connecting the energy state and umami level.These results provided valuable insights on the umami taste associated with energy metabolism mechanism during postharvest mushroom spore release.

The Overwintering Capability of Ulva prolifera Spores and Gametes in the Yellow Sea,China

Green tides caused by the bloom of Ulva prolifera have affected the Yellow Sea annually since 2007.To explore the intrinsic causes of successive blooms,field investigations and indoor simulation experiments were conducted using micro-propagules of U.prolifera.From January to February 2014,micro-propagules of various green algae,including U.prolifera,Ulva flexuosa,and Ulva linza,were prevalent in the coastal waters of Rudong,Lianyungang,and Qingdao.However,in March 2014,micro-propagules of U.prolifera were not detected in the coastal waters of Lianyungang and Qingdao.Neither the spores nor gametes of U.prolifera can germinate at temperatures below 5℃.At 2℃and 5℃,U.prolifera spores and gametes could survive for 1-3 months at a light intensity range of 0-30μmol m^(-2)s^(-1)and for less than 1 month if the light intensity exceeded 30μmol m^(-2)s^(-1).By integrating indoor experiments and field investigations,this study found that U.prolifera spores and gametes could overwinter in the Rudong coastal area,which is an important factor for the annual emergence of recurring green tides in the Yellow Sea.

Single-cell analysis reveals microbial spore responses to microwave radiation

To determine the effects of microwave radiation at the molecular level as well as on the germination,growth and morphology of dry spores at the single-cell level.Dry Bacillus aryabhattai MCCC 1K02966 spores were microwave-treated at different powers and characterized using single-cell optical technology.As determined by laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy,the Ca^(2+)-dipicolinic acid content increased and nucleic acid denaturation occurred in response to microwave treatment.Livecell microscopy revealed that the germination and growth rates decreased as the microwave power increased.With respect to morphology,atomic force microscopy(AFM)demonstrated that spores became wrinkled and rough after microwave treatment.Furthermore,spores became smaller as the microwave power increased.Microwave treatment can damage DNA,and high-power microwaves can inhibit the germination of spores and reduce spore volumes.These results provide a new perspective on the responses of living single cells to microwave radiation and demonstrate the application of various new techniques for analyses of microorganisms at the single-cell level.

Mycorrhizal Fungi Spore Abundance in Old-Growth Forest Soil

Soil samples were collected from the base of Aplectrum hymale individuals to assess mycorrhizal spores abundance. The hypothesis that mycorrhizal spore abundance would increase with proximity to the plant was not supported;however, spores increased significantly with distance from the Aplectrum hymale plants up to one meter.

Antitumor Activity of the Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Alcohol Extract in Vitro

Several cancer cell lines(epithelioma cells or leukemia cells)from human being or mouse were first used to study the antitumor activity of the Ganoderma lucidum spore alcohol extract(GLSAE)in vitro by the MTT test A comparision was made between the sporodermbroken(SB)and sporoderm nonbroken(SN)GLSAE It was showed that both GLSAE SB and GLSAE SN could inhibit the proliferation of these cancer cells,but the activity of GLSAE SB was much higher than that of GLSAE SN These results suggested that Ganoderma lucidum spore could probably be used for tumor treatment

Isolation and Structural Determination of a Glucan from the Spores of Ganoderma lucidum

A water soluble, (1 -->6)-branched, (1 -->4) linked D-glucan (LB-B1), [alpha](D)(21) = +174.2 degrees (c 0.87, H2O), was obtained from a hot-water extract of the sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidun (Fr.) Karst by HPSEC, with 0.001 mol/L sodium hydroxide as the eluant, the molecular weight (Mw) of LB-B1 was estimated to be 9.3 x 10(3). From the results of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, acetolysis and 1D, 2D-NMR experimentation, it was concluded that LB-B1 was composed of repeating units with the following structure: alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->6)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->6)-alpha -D-Glc(p) 1 down arrow 6 (-->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4-)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->)(n)

Control Efficacy of Validamycin A·(0.2 Billion Spores/ml) Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS for Rice Sheath Blight

With validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS as the test agent, the effects of different dosage and different application time on the control efficacy for＇ rich sheath blight were investigated. The results of two- year test showed that when the application amount was in the range of 45-90 g.a.i/ hm^2, the field efficacy of validamycin A-（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS in the initial infection stage of rich sheath blight （Le., the diseased plant rate was below 5%） reached 80.38%-89.06%, and that in the peak infection stage （i.e., the diseased plant rate was higher than 10%） reached only 41.12%-53.26%. The field efficacy of validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS at the early onset of rich sheath blight was significantly better than that at the onset, so that the application time of validamycin A .（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS should be appropriately brought forward in the prevention and control of rice sheath blight.

Infection of the Anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum in Populations of Silene dioica: Variation in Floral Morphology, Patterns of Spore Deposition and Pathogen-Pollinator Mediated Selection

The anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum ( Brandenburger and Schvinn) G. Deml. and Oberw.) causes a systematic infection of its host Silene dioica ( L.) Clairv., resulting in sterility and production of teliospores (dispersal propagules) in flowers. These spores are transmitted to healthy plants mainly by flower visitors. The behavioral responses of flower visitors to a variation in floral characters are not only likely to affect rates of pollen export/import, but also the rate of spore deposition and probability of disease. In a transplantation experiment, using plants from four different populations, we tested for correlation between variation in female floral morphology and patterns of spore and pollen deposition, and a resulting risk of disease. The source populations in this experiment were located on four islands in Skeppsvik archipelago in northern Sweden, and represented a gradient of disease incidence from completely healthy ( Island 1), low incidence ( Island 2) to high incidences ( Islands 3 and 4) of disease. Fifty plants from each population were transplanted to the center, of the population on Island 4. There were significant differences among the transplants in floral characters, i.e. corolla size, style length and ovule number. Plants from the non-diseased population had larger flowers and longer styles than plants from the highly diseased populations. Numbers of pollen grains and spores deposited on flowers were strongly and positively correlated. We found that plants originating from the non-diseased population captured approximately 4 times more pollen and 9 times more spores, per flower than die individuals from the resident population (Island 4, population 4). The incidences of disease among plants, from the four populations differed significantly, and was 37%, 20%, 18% and 0 for populations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. In a survey of ten populations we found a significant negative correlation between the mean style length ( positively correlated with corolla size and ovule number) among healthy plants and incidence of disease in these populations. The potentiality for pathogen-pollinator mediated selection oil floral characters; and consequences for gone flow between populations of Silene dioica are discussed.

Influence of Ganoderma lucidum spores on the levels of neuropeptide Y and somatostatin in brains of seizure rats

BACKGROUND： Previous research has revealed that somatostatin can induce epilepsy, and that the levels of neuropeptide Y may increase and become more active in brain areas with epileptic seizures. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Ganoderma luciclum spore powder on the neuropeptide Y and somatostatin content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal regions of seizure rats induced by pentylenetetrazol （PTZ）. Furthermore, to verify any effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on inhibition of epileptic seizures. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized group animal study was performed in August 2007 in the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiamusi University （Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China）. MATERIALS： Thirty healthy, male, Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 180-220 g, were taken as the experimental animals. PTZ （Sigma Company, United States） was used to induce epilepsy. Ganoderma lucidum spores （Leyss, ex Fr variety） were purchased from Jiamusi City Wild Growing Case of the Ganoderma Lucidum （China）. Rabbit anti-somatostatin antibodies and secondary antibodies were purchased from Wuhan Boster Company （China）. Neuropeptide Y radioimmunoassay kit was purchased from Beijing Furui Biotechnology Company （China）. METHODS： Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups： a control group, an epilepsy model group and a Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group. Each group contained 10 animals. Rats in the epilepsy model group were treated with intraperitoneal injections of PTZ and gastric perfusion of physiologic saline. In the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group, intraperitoneal injection of PTZ and gastric perfusion of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder were administered. The blank control group was only administered with the physiological saline by intraperitoneal injection and gastric perfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemical staining and radioimmunoassay methods were used to observe the changes of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in brain tissue of epileptic rats, as well as the morphology of neurons. RESULTS： All 30 rats were involved in the result analysis, without any loss. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.05）. The epilepsy seizures in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group were obviously reduced compared to the epilepsy model group. CONCLUSION： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder was able to reduce the somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus effectively, so as to achieve an anti-epileptic function and protect neurons from being damaged.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore on expression of insulin-like growth factor-1, nuclear factor-kappa B, and neuronal apoptosis in the epileptic rat brain

BACKGROUND：It has been reported that Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, a very well known Chinese traditional medicine, can affect immunoregulation, free radical scavenging, and anti-hypoxia responses. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）, nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and neuronal apoptosis in rats with pentylenetetrazol （PTZ）-induced epilepsy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cellular and molecular biology experiment with randomized controlled study design was performed at the Central Laboratory of Basic Medical College of Jiamusi University from June to August 2005. MATERIALS： Thirty healthy, adult, male, Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups （10 rats per group）： control, epilepsy model, and Ganoderma lucidum spore powder. A sub-eclampsia PTZ dose （35 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected to induce epilepsy in the latter two groups. Wild Ganoderma lucidum spore powder （30 g/L） was provided by the wild Ganoderma lucidum plant nursery at Jiamusi, China. Immunohistochemical detection and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediate dUTP nick end-labeling （TUNEL） kits were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder was intragastrically administered at a dose of 10.0 mL/kg, once a day for 28 days. In the epilepsy and control groups, an equivalent volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunoreactivity for IGF-1 and NF-κB/P65 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Neuronal apoptosis was detected using TUNEL methods. RESULTS： The hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with PTZ-induced epilepsy exhibited a higher number of apoptotic cells at high magnification （×400）, compared with the control group. Expression of IGF-1 and NF-κB were higher in the epilepsy group, compared with the control group （P 〈 0.01）. In Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated rats, fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, expression of NF-κB/P65 was lower, and immunoreactivity to IGF-1 increased more distinctly, compared with the epilepsy group. In addition, seizure latency was longer on 17, 21, and 25 days post-PTZ treatment in the Ganoderma lucidum spore powder group, compared with the epilepsy group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. CONCLUSION： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder down-regulated expression of NF-κB in brain tissues of rats with PTZ-induced epilepsy, increased immunoreactivity to IGF-1, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis. These results indicated that Ganoderma lucidum spore powder has a neuroprotective effect.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on astrocyte expression and glutamine synthetase activity in the hippocampal region of epileptic rats

BACKGROUND： Recent studies have demonstrated that astrocyte dysfunction plays a central role in inhibiting epileptic seizures and that regulation of astrocyte function may be a new target for treatment of epilepsy. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder （GLSP） on astrocyte morphology and glutamine synthetase （COS） activity in the hippocampal region of epileptic rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Function Laboratory, College of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University between October and December 2006. MATERIALS： A total of 30 Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomized to three groups （n = 10）： control, model, and GLSP. GLSP was sourced from Jiamusi Wild Ganoderma Lucidum Planting Base and prepared to 30 g/L with physiological saline before use. Pentylenetetrazol （PTZ） （10 g/L） was provided by Sigma Company, USA. METHODS： The control group received intraperitoneal （i.p.） and intragastric （i.g.） physiological saline. Following epilepsy induction by i.p. administration of PTZ （35 mg/kg）, rats from the mode/and GLSP groups were ig injected with physiological saline and GLSP （300 mg/kg）, respectively. Each compound was administered once per day, for a total of 28 successive days. Epileptic seizure convulsions were graded 0-5. A higher grade indicated more severe epilepsy. Only those rats showing stage 2 or higher convulsions at least 5 times successively were included in further experiments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immediately alter injection, seizure activity was monitored for 30 minutes to determine the latent period and seizure duration; simultaneously, astrocyte numbers and GS activity in the hippocampal region of rats with epilepsy were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： All 30 rats were included in the final analysis. On day 28, following PTZ administration epileptic seizures were not found in the control group. In the GLSP group, rats exhibited rhythmic head nodding or facial spasms, and the latent period was significantly longer than that of the model group （P 〈 0.05）. In the model group, the majority of rats exhibited myoclonus or generalized convulsions, and epileptic seizure duration was slightly （but not significantly） longer than that in the GLSP group （P 〉 0.05）. Within 2-3 minutes of PTZ injection, the model group exhibited grade 4 or 5 epileptic seizures, and the GLSP group mostly showed grade 2 or 3, and occasionally grade 4 or 5, epileptic seizures. All rats recovered within 30 minutes. The model group exhibited significantly increased astrocytes （P 〈 0.05）, with thicker cellular processes and a higher number of cellular processes, and significantly decreased GS activity （P 〈 0.05） tban the control group. The astrocyte count was significantly decreased but GS activity was significantly increased in the GLSP group when compared with the model group （P 〈 0.05）; however, astrocyte appearance was similar in both groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： GLSP can effectively inhibit astrocyte numbers and elevate GS activity in the hippocampal region of rats with epilepsy, thereby reducing epileptic seizures.

Studies on the Triterpenoid Constituents of the Spores from Ganoderma lucidum Karst

Five compounds were isolated from the ether-soluble fraction of the spores of Gano- derma lucidum.On the basis of their chemical properties and spectral data(MS,UV,IR,~1H and ^(13)CNMR),they were identified as 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanosta-8-en-26-oic acid(Ⅰ),gano- deric acid B(Ⅱ),C(Ⅲ),D(Ⅳ)and ganodermanontriol(Ⅴ).Compound Ⅰ is a new natural product, named ganosporeric acid A.Compounds Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ are known compounds and were obtained for the first time from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum.Pharmacological experiments showed that ganosporeric acid A has an activity for lowering the levels GPT in mice with liver injury by CCl_4 and GaNI and exhibits heptoprotective effects.

Ganoderma lucidum spore powder modulates Bcl-2 and Bax expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex,and improves learning and memory in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rats

We studied the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on Bax and Bcl-2 expression and neuronal apoptosis in pentylenetetrazole-kindled epileptic rats. Sixty adult rats were randomly divided into a control group, an epileptic group （kindled） and three medication groups （150,300 450 mg/kg given to kindled rats）. Bax and Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL labeling showed that the number of Bax- and TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex decreased significantly in the high-dose medication group, while the number of Bcl-2 immunoreactive cells increased. The Morris water maze test showed that high-dose treatment significantly shortened escape latency and increased spatial probe trial performance. Our findings indicate that a high dose of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder upregulates the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, inhibits proapoptotic Bax expression, and decreases seizure-induced neuronal apoptosis. Further, Ganoderma lucidum appears to protect against epilepsy-related learning and memory impairments.

Breaking and Characteristics of Ganoderma Lucidum Spores by High Speed Entrifugai Shearing Pulverizer

The spores of Ganoderma lucidum were ground and broken to ultrafine particles by high speed centrifugal shearing（HSCS） pulverizer. The characteristics of Ganoderma lucidum spores were analyzed by scanning electron microscope （SEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry （FTIR）. Ultraviolet-visible pectrophotometer was used to determine the extraction ratio of aqueous solubility polysaccharide between the raw and broken spores. The immunological function on the mice before and after the breaking of spores wan investigated. The experimental results show that after being ground, the sporoderm-broken ratio reachs 100%, the original active ingredients of ganoderma lucidum spores do not change, and the extraction ratio of aqueous solubility polysaccharide is greatly increased by 40.08%. The broken spores show much higher immunological activity comparing with original spores of Ganoderma lucidum.