Search

Chemical prospection of an extract derived from a saprotrophic fungus Lachnum sp. IW157 resulted in the isolation and characterization of six unprecedentedly reported ambuic acid analogues named lachnuoic acids A-F (1-6). Chemical structures of 1-6 were determined based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses together with HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. The relative configurations of 1-3 were defined by ROESY spectroscopic analyses while their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by Mosher's esters method. All isolated compounds were subjected to cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antibiofilm and nematicidal activity assays where only lachnuoic acid A (1) revealed potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis at MIC values of 16.6 and 8.3 μg/mL, respectively., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry & Biodiversity published by Wiley‐VHCA AG.)

• The melanin (LIM) was obtained from Lachnum YM156. • The physicochemical properties of LIM have been investigated. • LIM had significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in Cd-exposure mice. Natural melanin was extracted from Lachnum YM156 (LIM). LIM had better thermostability and light resistance, and its solubility was relatively high under alkaline conditions. Simultaneously, we examined its hepatoprotective effect in Cd-exposure mice. Cd-exposure resulted in decreasing weight growth rate, raised liver index, elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and increased Cd accumulation in livers. Hepatic oxidative stress was evidenced by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, decreased glutathione (GSH) contents, and decreased activities of dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) after CdCl 2 administration. Additionally, Cd-exposure also increased the liver level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-1β. Furthermore, the result of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) showed that Cd-exposure reduced the mRNA expression level of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase (HO-1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and elevated the mRNA expression level of factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in livers. However, all these changes were dose-dependently reversed by LIM. Overall, the present findings demonstrated that LIM have the hepatoprotective effect through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses in Cd-exposure mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The possible structural formula of the intracellular homogeneous melanin of Lachnum YM30 (LIM) was concluded. • LIM could protect the liver and combined treatment group could further reduce the inflammatory effect of the model drug on the mice compared with the single positive drug treatment or the melanin treatment groups. • In this study, we formulated the structural information of LIM from Lachnum YM30 and the mechanism of its protective effect on liver injury, analyzing the relationship between its structure and anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation for the first time, compared to previous studies. • LIM are potential prophylactic agents that can be used to prevent LPS/GalN-induced liver injury and that combination therapy is also a potential treatment for reducing liver injury in the model. In the present study, an intracellular melanin (LIM) isolated from Lachnum YM30 was obtained by submerged fermentation, extraction and purification. The possible structural formula of LIM was concluded, based on Ultraviolet (UV) analysis, IR analysis, elemental analysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and ESI-MS analysis, which showed the typical feature of fungal eumelanin. The hepatoprotective effect of LIM was evaluated in an acute LPS/D-GalN induced liver injury mouse model that was proved by the declining of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), enhancing the content of anti-inflammatory factors interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Concurrently, LIM could alleviate LPS/D-GalN toxicity through the effects of NF-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and its related cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). The mechanisms underlying the protective effect might be related to inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B activation and the functional groups of LIM. And compared with the single positive drug treatment or the melanin, the results showed that the combined treatment group could further reduce the inflammatory reaction of the model mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bukit Bendera is 833 m above sea level and situated in the Northern part of Penang Island, Malaysia. Generally an average temperature is between 20 to 27°C, which is about 5°C cooler than at the sea level. The hill dipterocarp forest dominates Bukit Bendera and tree fern scatteredly grows at higher altitude. Two Lachnum spp. were observed as pteridocolous cup fungi on decayed rachides of several tree fern species, Cyathea contaminans, C. latebrosa, and C. hymenodes. Lachnum oncospermatum is characterized by a wrinkled apothecium and branched stipe. The hairs contain brown colored resinous materials and are finely granulated. Lachnum lanariceps is characterized by a central and cylindrical stipe and hairs containing pale yellow pigment with red or garnet resinous matter. These two Lachnum species are new to Malaysia.

LEP-2a, previously obtained from Lachnum YM130 exopolysaccharide, was acetylated and benzoylated successfully, which were confirmed by FT-IR and 13 C NMR analyses. The derivatives were designated as ALEP-2a and BLEP-2a, respectively, and their respective degree of substitution were 0.220 and 0.574. Our study showed that LEP-2a and its derivatives treatments significantly increased the activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and decreased the level of MDA in heart of the diabetic mice, meanwhile, the levels of AGEs, hs-CRP, sICAM-1, NO and ET-1 in serum were markedly inverted. In addition, histopathological observation also showed that polysaccharide treatement alleviated myocardial structure disorder and confluent necrosis of cardiac muscle fibers in the diabetic mice, especially the 200 mg/kg dose ALEP-2a-treated and BLEP-2a-treated. The above results suggest that ALEP-2a and BLEP-2a can preferably maintain the levels of antioxidant enzymes and improve cardiovascular function in the diabetic mice. In conclusion, LEP-2a and its derivatives possess potent cardioprotective effect, supporting them as promising cardioprotective agents in diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel melanin with low molecular weight (LIM205, 522 Da) was isolated from the fermentation broth of Lachnum sp. and its carboxymethyl derivative (CLIM205) was prepared. The immunoregulatory effects of LIM205 and CLIM205 in immuno-compromised mice induced by cyclophosphamide were investigated. The results demonstrated that both LIM205 and CLIM205 could significantly increase the thymus and spleen indices, specific and nonspecific (including carbon clearance ability) immunity, humoral and cellular immunity of mice. Treatment with LIM205 and CLIM205 could increase activities of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT and decrease content of MDA in the mice. Furthermore, for all animal tests, the immunoregulatory activities of CLIM205 were more prominent than that of LIM205. In conclusion, our findings suggested that the natural products LIM205, as well as its carboxymethyl derivative CLIM205, had significant immunoregulatory activities, which might be a promising source of immunoregulator in healthcare field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharides from Lachnum have many important biological activities. The LEP2a-dipeptide derivative (LAG) was obtained by carboxymethyl modification and alanyl-glutamine modification of LEP2a, an extracellular polysaccharide component of Lachnum. Mice with acute gastric ulcers were treated with 50 (low doses) and 150 (high doses) mg/kg, and their therapeutic effects were evaluated from the aspects of pathological damage to gastric tissue, oxidative stress response and inflammatory signal cascade reaction. High doses of LAG and LEP2a significantly inhibited pathological damage to the gastric mucosa, increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and decreased the levels of MDA, and MPO. LEP-2A and LAG could also inhibit the production of proinflammatory factors and reduce the inflammatory response. They significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, while upregulated the level of PGE2 at high doses. LAG and LEP2a inhibited the protein expression of p-JNK, p-ERK, p-P38, p-IKK, p-IKB α and p-NF-KBP65. LAG and LEP2a protect the gastric mucosa in mice with ulcers by improving oxidative stress, blocking the MAPK/NF-κB pathway and inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors, and the anti-ulcer activity of LAG is superior to that of LEP2a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted in Brazil to collect fungi on ferns. Based on morphology and inferred phylogeny from DNA sequences of two loci, namely the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), several species belonging to chalara-like genera and lachnoid fungi were recognized. Eighteen fungal isolates, collected from five host species, representing 10 different localities were studied. Three novel genera ( Lachnopsis, Scolecolachnum and Zymochalara), and six novel species ( Bloxamia cyatheicola, Lachnopsis catarinensis, Lachnopsis dicksoniae, Scolecolachnum pteridii, Zymoc halara lygodii and Zymochalara cyatheae) are introduced. Furthermore, two new combinations ( Erioscyphella euterpes and Erioscyphella lushanensis) are proposed. Two novel taxa ( Lachnopsis catarinensis and Lachnopsis dicksoniae) may be included in the list of potentially endangered fungal species in Brazil, if proven to be restricted to their tree-fern host, Dicksonia sellowiana, which is included in the official list of endangered plant species in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phthaloyl polysaccharide (PHEP-2a) was prepared from a Lachnum exopolysaccharide (LEP-2a) by chemical modification, with a degree of substitution of 0.251. The results of UV, FT-IR, 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR analysis indicated that phthaloyl modification of polysaccharide was successful. Moreover, both elemental contents and thermal properties of the polysaccharide were changed after phthaloyl modification. Immunomodulatory activity evaluation revealed that compared with negative control group, LEP-2a and its derivative at high dose could remarkably increase the body weight, organ indexes, phagocytic index and half hemolysis value, promote splenocytes proliferation activity, improve the production of serum cytokines, such as interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and enhance the activities of acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. They could also enhance the contents of T-SOD and GSH-Px while decrease MDA levels in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Furthermore, PHEP-2a showed more significant effects than LEP-2a at the same dosage, indicating that phthaloyl modification was an effective way to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of the polysaccharide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel exopolysaccharide (LEP-1) was isolated from the fermented broth of Lachnum YM268 through ethanol precipitation, deproteinization, decolorization and purification. The physicochemical properties of LEP-1 were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). LEP-1 was a heteropolysaccharide with an average molecular weight of 473 kDa, which consisted of glucose (Glc) and mannose (Man) in a molar ratio of 1.3:1.0. The backbone of LEP-1 was composed of →1)-α-Man p -(3,6→, →2)-α-Man p -(6→, →1)-α-Glc p -(6→ and →1)-β-Glc p -(6→, and its branches consisted of →1)-β-Glc p , →1)-α-Man p -(3,6→ and →2)-α-Man p -(6→. The analysis of the chain conformation showed that LEP-1 had no triple helical structure. The effects of LEP-1 on the hematological parameters and anti-hypoxia activities of the experimental mice were studied. The results showed that LEP-1 had strong ability to increase the red blood cell (RBC) amount and hemoglobin (HGB) concentrations, and could also prolong the survival times of mice in normobarie hypoxia and sodium nitrite tests. These suggest LEP-1 may be considered as a potential candidate for developing novel anti-hypoxia agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roots of ericaceous plants harbour a diversity of fungal taxa, which confer eco-physiological benefits to the host. Some of the fungi have been established to form ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) associations and enhance plant growth in certain ericaceous genera. Although, Lachnum and Cadophora isolates have frequently been identified from the roots of this family, the status of their association and functional roles is still vague. The aims of this study were to identify Lachnum and Cadophora isolates; determine the root-fungal interactive structures formed in associations with Vaccinium corymbosum L. (blueberry) hosts and to examine inoculation effects of the fungal associates using several varieties of the blueberry. Lachnum and Cadophora were isolated and identified from Erica cerinthoides L. and Erica demmissa Klotzsch ex Benth using morphological and molecular techniques. Micropropagated blueberry varieties (Bluecrop, Elliott, Spartan, Chandler and Brightwell) were inoculated with respective fungi and plant growth evaluated. Both fungi colonised the roots and did not have any pathogenic effect. Lachnum isolate did not form any particular mycorrhizal structures whereas; Cadophora inoculated plants showed typical ericoid mycorrhizal coils. Inoculation with both fungi enhanced the shoot growth of Brightwell and Elliott varieties. However neutral effects were observed in the remaining varieties. In conclusion, Cadophora and Lachnum isolates have potential to promote growth of selected blueberry varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) of different concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mM) on biomass and extracellular polyphenol accumulation and antioxidant defense system of Lachnum YMU50 had been studied in this article. Results showed that, when the NO donor was SNP, both 0.05 and 0.1 mM SNP could promote the biomass accumulation of Lachnum YMU50 and activate the phenylalanine ammonia lyase, thus promoting its extracellular polyphenol accumulation and activate and induce its antioxidant defense system by activating the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase, and 0.1 mM SNP has a stronger effect than 0.05 mM SNP. SNP 0.2 mM was adverse to the accumulation of the biomass and extracellular polyphenol of Lachnum YMU50, decreasing the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase and increasing the contents of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, which indicated that 0.2 mM SNP damaged the antioxidant defense system of Lachnum YMU50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bukit Bendera is 833 m above sea level and situated in the Northern part of Penang Island, Malaysia. Generally an average temperature is between 20 to 27°C, which is about 5°C cooler than at the sea level. The hill dipterocarp forest dominates Bukit Bendera and tree fern scatteredly grows at higher altitude. Two Lachnum spp. were observed as pteridocolous cup fungi on decayed rachides of several tree fern species, Cyathea contaminans, C. latebrosa, and C. hymenodes. Lachnum oncospermatum is characterized by a wrinkled apothecium and branched stipe. The hairs contain brown colored resinous materials and are finely granulated. Lachnum lanariceps is characterized by a central and cylindrical stipe and hairs containing pale yellow pigment with red or garnet resinous matter. These two Lachnum species are new to Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A novel extracellular polysaccharide from Lachnum YM405 was isolated and purified. [•] A failed experiment proved that the mannofuranosyl residues contained methoxy group. [•] LEP-2b's backbone was composed of 1,4-β-Manp, 1,2-α-Rhap, 1,6-β-Glcp and 1,6-α-Galp. [•] LEP-2b's branches consisted of 2,6-α/β-1-OMe-Manf, 1,6-α/β-Galp, and 1-β-Glcp. [•] LEP-2b played a positive role in promoting wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Seven kinds of amino acids were used to modify the non-water-soluble extracellular melanin (LEM346) from Lachnum YM-346. It was found that arginine–melanin (ALEM346) had the highest solubility, being 4.55% (gg−1) in 30°C distilled water. Elemental analysis, infrared spectrum and mass spectrum analysis revealed that LEM346 molecule contained indole quinone structure, its molecular formula speculated to be C18H8O6N2. Infrared spectrum analysis showed that ALEM346 had characteristic absorption peaks at 1672.346 and 1637.679cm−1. Mass spectrum analysis indicated that ALEM346 contained three types of arginine–melanin molecules. When the ALEM346 concentration was 500mgL−1, its total antioxidant capacity was equivalent to α-tocopherol of 46.65mmolL−1, the DPPH and O2 − scavenging rates and the Fe2+ chelating rate were 89.05%, 93.81% and 80.18%, respectively, suggesting that the antioxidant activity of ALEM346 was stronger than that of LEM346. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A homogeneous extracellular polysaccharide of Lachnum YM261(LEPS-1) with a molecular weight of 21670Da was characterised. According to HPGPC, IR, periodate oxidation and Smith degradation, GC–MS and 1H NMR analysis, the results indicated that LEPS-1 was a glucan linked by the β-(1→3)-d-pyran glycosidic bond. The effect of LEPS-1 on anti-ageing in d-gal model mice was also studied. It was found that LEPS-1 significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (i.e. SOD superoxide dismutase, CAT catalase, GSH-PX glutathione peroxidase) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver, brain and serum of d-gal model mice. These results showed that LEPS-1 had a strong anti-ageing activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Colipila, a new member of the Helotiales, is erected for two previously undescribed lignicolous species resembling Dasyscyphella and Lachnum by macroscopy. Species of Colipila are characterized by their long, entirely smooth, hyaline, thin-walled, multiseptate, subulate to basally fusoid hairs that tend to be curved on the stipe and lower flanks, and dimorphic, partly strongly protruding paraphyses which closely resemble the hairs. The type species, C. masduguana, is recorded repeatedly in southern France on rotten decorticated branches and trunks of Castanea sativa on the moist forest floor in sub-Mediterranean regions with siliceous soils, but also once on Quercus robur in a temperate forest with calcareous soil. The second species, C. pilatensis, was found on wood of an unidentified member of Rosaceae in a calcareous region of the Northern Alps and is known only from the holotype. The phylogenetic position of C. masduguana within the Helotiales was not resolved based on the analysis of nuclear LSU ribosomal DNA sequences. A key to the species of Colipila is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species were newly identified in Japan. Lachnum lanariceps was characterized by a central and cylindrical stipe and hairs containing pale yellow pigment with red or garnet resinous matter. Lachnum oncospermatum was identified after comparison with the holotype of Dasyscyphus oncospermatis. This fungus has the characteristics of wrinkled apothecium and branched stipe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lachnum virgineum (Batsch) P.Karst (Hyaloscyphaceae) and Hymenoscyphus fructigenus (Bull.) Gray (Helotiaceae) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three temperate China species of Lachnum, Lachnum abnorme, L. angustum, L. brevipilosum, L. calosporum, L. calyculiforme, L. carneolum, L. ciliare, L. controversum, L. flavidulum, L. cf. fushanese, L. indicum, L. kumaonicum, L. lushanese, L. minutum, L. montanum, L. cf. pteridophyllum, L. pygmaeum, L. sclerotii var. sclerotii, L. sclerotii var. sichuanense, L. subpygmeaum, L. tenuissimum, L. virgineum and L. willisii are reported, whose main characteristics are given in a formula of the described species, some of which are discussed below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]