Species of fungi recommended for inclusion in the 2nd edition of the Red Data Book of the Oryol Region

Based on the results of the long-term (2008–2020) studies of macromycetes in Oryol Region, a list of 24 fungal species recommended for the second edition of the regional Red Data Book has been compiled. The list includes 4 species of basidial fungi (Clavariadelphus pistillaris, Cortinarius violaceus, Grifola frondosa, and Gyroporus cyanescens) that were included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Oryol Region (2007) and another 20 species (Aeruginoscyphus sericeus, Bulgaria inquinans, Clavaria zollingeri, Ganoderma lucidum, Gloiodon strigosus, Gyroporus castaneus, Hericium coralloides, Holwaya mucida, Hydnocristella himantia, Metuloidea murashkinskyi, Phellinidium ferrugineofuscum, Polyporus umbellatus, Ramaria fennica, Ramariopsis crocea, Ramariopsis pulchella, Rhizochaete sulphurina, Rhodonia placenta, Rhodotus palmatus, Skeletocutis odora, Triblidium caliciiforme) that are proposed for protection for the first time. Each species is provided with the Latin name, followed by brief characteristics of its current taxonomic position, biology and ecology, population‐limiting factors in the region, data on the range in Russia and on the distribution in Oryol Region, as well as the recommended protection category. The presented species list includes two species (Clavaria zollingeri, Rhodotus palmatus) from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and three species (Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, Polyporus umbellatus) recorded in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008). Two species (Aeruginoscyphus sericeus and Rhodotus palmatus) are new to Oryol Region.

Grifola frondosa (Maitake) Extract Reduces Fat Accumulation and Improves Health Span in C. elegans through the DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/NRF2 Signalling Pathways

In recent years, food ingredients rich in bioactive compounds have emerged as candidates to prevent excess adiposity and other metabolic complications characteristic of obesity, such as low-grade inflammation and oxidative status. Among them, fungi have gained popularity for their high polysaccharide content and other bioactive components with beneficial activities. Here, we use the C. elegans model to investigate the potential activities of a Grifola frondosa extract (GE), together with the underlying mechanisms of action. Our study revealed that GE represents an important source of polysaccharides and phenolic compounds with in vitro antioxidant activity. Treatment with our GE extract, which was found to be nongenotoxic through a SOS/umu test, significantly reduced the fat content of C. elegans, decreased the production of intracellular ROS and aging–lipofuscin pigment, and increased the lifespan of nematodes. Gene expression and mutant analyses demonstrated that the in vivo anti-obesity and antioxidant activities of GE were mediated through the daf-2/daf-16 and skn-1/nrf-2 signalling pathways, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that our GE extract could be considered a potential functional ingredient for the prevention of obesity-related disturbances.