Under Fungi Antrodia Cinnamomea only It is found in Taiwan
A new study demonstrates the potential of natural fungi compounds in the development of new drugs against cancer.
Under Fungi Antrodia cinnamomeaalso known as Taiwanofungus camphoratusthere is only in Taiwan and is associated with a specific tree species in danger.
Has long been used in traditional medicines, this fungus has now been associated with properties Cancer Fightingthanks to a particular type of sugar molecule.
In a new study, a team of investigators from the National Taiwan University and the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan discovered this connection by focusing on a group of fungus-produced compounds designated by sulfated polysaccharides (SPS).
SPS, a type of sugar molecule designated galactoglucano sulfatadocombine compounds of glucose, galactose and sulfate in one moleculeexplains the.
Both the fungus and this class of molecules had already been associated with anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, but the exact mechanisms remained unclear.
O A. cinnamomea It can be cultivated in the laboratory, dispensing with direct collection in nature. However, to determine whether the bioactive properties of the fungus were due to this specific group of sugars, scientists had to develop technology capable of Encourage the production of SPS molecules in larger quantities.
One particularly promising compound It was identified: N50 F2. In laboratory experiences, it got reduce key markers of inflammation in cells, and block and eliminate lung cancer cells.
Of course, these results will have to be confirmed in living people and not just in cultivated cells, but represent a hope for the development of new therapies.
“The results of the study show that the SPS of Antrodia cinnamomea have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and inhibit in vitro cancer cells”, Writes the researchers in the scientific that presents the results of the study, recently published in the magazine Carbohydrate Polymers.
The discovery illustrates the value of search in the natural environment potential sources for new treatments against cancer.
Previous studies had already shown that Plants, Tardigrado and Poison Scorpion can play a role in combating disease – either by directly attacking malignant cells, preventing its propagation or reinforcing existing therapies.
Now we can add the A. cinnamomea to that list. There is still a lot of work ahead to transform these laboratory results into effective and insurance treatments, but researchers have achieved the goal of identifying molecules in this rare fungus with potential clinical impact.
“Our study demonstrates the potential of natural fungal compounds for pharmaceutical development, ”he said Chia-chuan changresearcher at National Taiwan University and main author of the study.
“With a fully controlled production and extraction process, we are optimistic about future applications, both in health supplements and in clinical treatments,” concludes the researcher.
