Browsing by Author "Santos, Germana"
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- Evaluation of the anticancer potential of the macrofungus Pisolithus arhizus mycelium and culture mediumPublication . Santos, Germana; Preto, Marco; Vasconcelos, Vítor; Martins, Rosário; Oliveira, Rui S.; Martins, RosarioMacrofungi produce remarkable biomedical products that can make a significant contribution to health. Pisolithus arhizus is a fungal species of the phylum Basidiomycota. It is mainly found in association with the roots of some trees species, establishing a mutualistic relationship with them, facilitating the absorption of nutrients from the soil in exchange for carbohydrates produced by the host plant. As recently reviewed by us, this macrofungus has aroused great interest due to its promising therapeutic properties and bioactive effects. Crude extracts were prepared from the mycelium and culture medium of P.arhizus using a mixture of dichloromethane:methanol (2:1. The extracts were then separated into nine fractions using vacuum liquid chromatography. The fractions were tested for cytotoxicity against the RKO colon adenocarcinoma cell line and 3T3 fibroblasts cell line. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Preliminary results revealed a dose dependent cytotoxicity against RKO cell line with no significant cytotoxicity to 3T3 cell lines, in fractions B and C. Those fractions corresponded to extraction with 70% Hex:30% EtOAc and 60% Hex:40% EtOAc, respectively. The results indicate that P.arhizus mycelium is a source of compounds with anticancer activity. However, more in-depth studies are needed to analyze the chemical compounds from the various parts of P. arhizus and investigate their biological and toxicological activities. Exploring the bioactive potential of P. arhizus is key to developing a complete understanding of its therapeutic benefits.
- Exploring the bioactive potential of Pisolithus (Basidiomycota): comprehensive insights into antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties for innovative applicationsPublication . S. Oliveira, Rui; Preto, Marco; Santos, Germana; Silva, Ana Margarida; Vasconcelos, Vitor; Martins, RosárioAddressing pressing health concerns, modern medical research seeks to identify new antimicrobials to combat drug resistance, novel molecules for cancer treatment, and antioxidants for inflammation-related diseases. Pisolithus (Basidiomycota) is a ubiquitous and widely distributed fungal genus in forest ecosystems, known for establishing ectomycorrhizal associations with a range of host plants, enhancing their growth, and conferring protection against biotic and abiotic stresses. Beyond ecological applications, Pisolithus yields bioactive compounds with medicinal potential. This comprehensive review explores the transversal biological activity of Pisolithus fungi, aiming to provide a thorough overview of their antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant potential. The focus is on elucidating bioactive compounds within Pisolithus to trigger further research for innovative applications. Compounds from Pisolithus displayed antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The efficacy of Pisolithus-derived compounds matched established medications, emphasizing their therapeutic potential. In anticancer research, the triterpene pisosterol stood out with documented cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines, showcasing promise for novel anticancer therapies. Pisolithus was also recognized as a potential source of antioxidants, with basidiocarps exhibiting high antioxidant activity. In vivo validation and comprehensive studies on a broader range of compounds, together with mechanistic insights into the mode of action of Pisolithus-derived compounds, are compelling areas for future research.