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Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae) has a worldwide distribution and has been widely used in traditional medicines. In this study, we report wild strains of Ganoderma that include two G. sichuanense and one G. orbiforme from northern Thailand. Optimal conditions for mycelium growth were ensured. The most favourable medium was potato sucrose agar for G. sichuanense and oatmeal agar for G. orbiforme and at 25 °C and 30 °C and pH 4–8. All types of cereal grains can be used to promote the growth of the mycelia of Ganoderma species. Fruiting tests were performed. All strains of Ganoderma produce fruiting bodies successfully in bag culture at 28 ± 1 °C with 75–85% relative humidity. Only G. orbiforme produced fruiting bodies in field cultivation at the laboratory scale. In the first flush yields, the G. sichuanense strain MFLUCC 22-0064 gave better production (the B.E was 152.35 ± 6.98 g). This study is the first to document the bag and field cultivation of wild Thai G. orbiforme. Ganoderma species are revealed to contain high amounts of fiber (47.90–52.45% d.b.), protein (12.80–14.67% d.b.), fat (4.90–5.70% d.b.), and carbohydrates (3.16–4.02% d.b.). Additionally, G. sichuanense and G. orbiforme were preliminarily screened for biological activity for inhibition of alpha–glucosidase enzyme activity. The IC50 values of G. orbiforme (MFLUCC 22-0066) was 105.97 ± 1.36 µg/mL and G. sichuanense (MFLUCC 22-0064) was 126.94 ± 0.87 µg/mL. Both strains had better inhibition than acarbose (168.18 ± 0.89 µM). These results on wild strains of Ganoderma will be useful for further studies on the applications of Ganoderma. Later the species can be introduced to domestic markets for cultivation and medicinal use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil was extracted from Peucedanum dhana A. Ham, which grows in Thailand, using a Clevenger apparatus, resulting in an oil yield of 0.76% w/w. Forty-two compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major compounds were trans-piperitol (51.23%), β-pinene (11.72%), o-cymene (11.12%), γ-terpinene (9.21%), and limonene (4.91%). The antimicrobial activity of the P. dhana essential oil was investigated by measuring the inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC). The inhibition zone diameters of P. dhana essential oil (1000 µg/mL) against tested pathogens ranged from 10.70 to 40.80 mm. Significant antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens was obtained, with MIC and MMC values of 62.50–250 µg/mL and 250–1000 µg/mL, respectively. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter aerogenes exposed to P. dhana essential oil at the MIC were analysed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) and SYTO9 to assess membrane integrity compared to trans-piperitol and β-pinene. After 24 h, treatments with trans-piperitol resulted in the most significant cell membrane alteration and depolarization followed by P. dhana essential oil and β-pinene, respectively. It was demonstrated that the P. dhana essential oil presented antibacterial action against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and E. aerogenes. The antioxidant activity of P. dhana essential oil was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium (ABTS) scavenging activity assays. The IC50 values obtained from the DPPH and ABTS methods were 9.13 and 9.36 mg/mL, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of P. dhana oil was tested against human colonic adenocarcinoma (SW480), human lung adenocarcinoma (A549), cervical cancer (Hela), and murine fibroblast (3T3L1) cells using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The essential oil had cytotoxicity against all cancer cells, with significant cytotoxicity towards SW480 cells. As a control experiment, two pure compounds—trans-piperitol and β-pinene, were also tested for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity. Both compounds showed varied activity in all assays. The results indicate that P. dhana essential oil could be used as a source of functional ingredients in food and pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prabchompoothaweep (PCT) is a Thai remedy which is composed of 23 herbs and has been added onto the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) of Thailand. This remedy has been used to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma in Thai traditional medicine for many years. Furthermore, a few studies have reported anti-allergic, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study aims to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of PCT extract in an animal model. The animal model of acute inflammation was studied over a 24-h period, utilizing the method of carrageenan-induced paw oedema. In addition, sub-acute inflammation was examined over 7 days, using the formalin-induced paw oedema method. The treatment groups received PCT extracts, via the oral route, at 1-h prior to injection and then the sub plantar of the rat right paw was injected with the named substances to generate paw oedema. The paw thickness was measured by vernier caliper at regular intervals after injection. At the end of experiment, the blood and paw tissues were collected for measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histological examination respectively. In acute inflammation, all doses of PCT extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced paw thickness after the first 3 h in a dose-dependent manner and the percentage of inhibition was 38.7%, 47.8% and 49.5% respectively. The pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β, statistically decreased with all doses of the extracts. However, the histological examination did not reveal significant results due to the short time duration. As regards to sub-acute inflammation, all doses of PCT extract significantly reduced paw thickness with 12.78%, 23.64% and 35.78%, in a dose dependent manner. Also, the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) significantly decreased at day 7. Interestingly, the histological examination of paw tissue demonstrated reductions of mononuclear infiltrations of inflammatory cells, this was observed in the group receiving PCT extracts, also in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, PCT exerted anti-inflammatory activity in an animal model of acute and sub-acute inflammation, suggesting that it could be used as a new source for treatment of inflammatory diseases. [Display omitted] • Prabchompoothaweep (PCT), a Thai remedy, is used to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma in Thai traditional medicine and has anti-inflammatory potential. • PCT exerts anti-inflammatory activity by reducing paw thickness and pro-inflammatory cytokines in acute and sub-acute inflammation. • PCT reduces mononuclear infiltrations in paw tissue, which have been observed only in the sub-acute inflammatory model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]