Report: The effects of topical pleurotus tuberregium (PT) aqueous extract on intraocular pressure in monkeys

Purpose In earlier experiments in Nigeria, aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuber-regium (PT) had been shown to lower intra ocular pressure (IOP) in a feline model. The aim of the current study was to determine whether PT had the same or a similar IOP-lowering effect in ocularly normal non-human primates. Methods Four monkeys were treated twice daily for 4 days with 2 x 20 μl drops of 50 mg/ml PT (pH = 4.3). The monkeys were sedated with 5–10 mg/kg ketamine HCl IM. PT was administered to the right eye and BSS to the left eye. Baseline IOP was measured just prior to beginning treatment, and on day 5 before treatment and then hourly for 3 hours, beginning 1 hour after treatment. SLEs were performed at baseline and on day 5 pre- and 3 hours post-treatment. Results There was no significant difference between IOP in treated vs control eyes in the protocol. There were no adverse effects or toxicity as seen by SLE. Conclusions The inability of the extract to lower IOP in monkeys, in contrast to ocular hypertensive cats in an earlier study, could be due to species differences or duration of treatment. Since no adverse effects were observed in the monkeys, further studies with varying durations and dosages are recommended.

Mycorestoration of crude oil polluted soil using Pleurotus tuberregium

Crude oil contamination is known to cause unwholesome damage to man, his environment comprising of soil, air and water bodies as well as other forms of life. This study determined the effect of crude oil polluted soils on the composition of different microorganisms and plants and the growth of Pleurotus tuberregium. Oil polluted soils in bowls were amended with sawdust from Brachystegia nigerica as substrate. Fruiting bodies and the diameter of the mushroom cap were found to increase with increasing weeks of exposure to oil as against the control which had no fruiting bodies throughout the experiment. Pepperomia pellucida was found to be the predominant weed (n = 20), followed by Asystasia gangetica (n = 11). The bacterial and fungal counts were higher at the oil polluted soil attached to sclerotia than the control. The growth of Pleurotus tuberregium in the polluted soil samples showed its ability to degrade and utilize hydrocarbon as the source of carbon and energy, thereby remediating the contaminated soil environment. This work has shown that the fungus has bioremediation and pollution control capacity.

SPECTROSCOPIC AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISATION OF MUSHROOM EXTRACT (Pleurotus tuberregium) IN COMPARISON WITH SOME ANTIGLAUCOMA MEDICATIONS (0.5% TIMOLOL AND 0.005% LATANOPROST)

Pleurotus tuberregium, an edible fungus, occurs in both tropical and subtropical regions of the world Scientific evidences exist for the use of P. tuberregium in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetic hypertriglyceredemia, fungal and bacterial infections, tumours and raised intraocular pressure. However, its comparative chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis with anti-glaucoma medications has not been extensively explored. This study separated the bioactive constituents of the mushroom extract and compared it with 0.5% Timolol and 0.005% Latanoprost. Fractions of the extracts were obtained through Column chromatography utilizing silica gel. Retardation factors and migration speeds of the fractions were then obtained using Thin Layer Chromatography. UV-VIS spectrophotometry was then utilized to obtain a more refined result. The experiment produced comparative retardation factors and retardation factors of the extracts with those of the antiglaucoma medication. Spectroscopic studies on the extract revealed that it has an absorption spectrum within the ultra violet wavelength range with a λmax of 320nm. All spots for this study were produced with a reproducibility factor better than 1.5% RSD.

Effect of Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium on chemical, antimicrobial and sensory properties of packaged tomato paste

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely consumed fresh vegetables in the world. Due to its low shelf-life, it is processed into paste with added chemical preservatives. Pleurotus tuberregium (P.t.s) is a good source of bioactive compounds effective against microbial growth, in addition to its load of other nutrients. In this study, the physicochemical, microbial, antioxidant activity and sensory properties of packaged tomato paste supplemented with Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium flour were investigated using standard methods. The tomato pastes and Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium flour were mixed in ratios of 100:0, 95:5 and 90:10 after which they were stored in low-density polyethylene and plastic containers at ambient temperature. There was a haphazard decrease in the fungal count of the supplemented samples during storage. A progressive increase in antioxidant activity at different inhibition levels was observed, with the samples packaged in plastic having the highest value at 100mg/ml titration. The DPPH value range obtained for (Day 0), (Day 4) and (Day7) were 4.7 - 49.9%, 50.2 -53.8% and 50.0% - 52.2%, respectively. A slight decrease in vitamins and minerals composition of treated samples as compared to the control was evident after storage period. Moderate addition of 5 to 10% Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium flour is effective in improving the physicochemical properties, vitamins and minerals content, antioxidant activity, sensory properties and microbial stability of the paste stored in plastic container. Keywords: Tomato paste, Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotium, low density polyethylene, plastic container, chemical composition

SPECTROSCOPIC AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISATION OF MUSHROOM EXTRACT (Pleurotus tuberregium) IN COMPARISON WITH SELECTED ANTI-GLAUCOMA MEDICATIONS

Pleurotus tuberregium, the king tuber mushroom, is an edible gilled fungus native to the tropics, including Africa, Asia, and Australia. Experimental studies have shown that extracts of Pleurotus tuberregium caused a decrease in intraocular pressure in steroid induced ocular hypertension stimulating increasing interest in it as a potential anti-glaucoma drug. This study investigated the possible existence of similar active ingredients found in the antiglaucoma medications under study (2% Pilocarpine, 0.5 % Timolol, 0.5% Betaxolol and 0.005% Latanoprost) and the fractions of the mushroom extract. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel to isolate active compounds from the extract of Pleurotus tuberregium. Thin layer chromatographic analysis was then performed on the fractions alongside known anti-glaucoma medications to determine and compare their retardation factors and migration speeds. Further analytical study was carried out using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. Data obtained was presented in bar charts and graphs, and analyzed using one sample t-test in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Thin layer chromatography showed comparative corresponding separation spots of the extracts with those of the antiglaucoma medication, and thus similar retardation factors. This study serves to further corroborate the postulated intraocular pressure lowering effect of P. tuberregium extract thereby contributing to the journey of the possible discovery of a potential anti-glaucoma medication.

Modulation of Hematological Indices of Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits by Aqueous Extract of Pleurotus tuberregium Sclerotia

Objective:: The ability of an aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium to modulate hematological parameters was investigated in normal and alloxan treated rabbits. Methods:: The extract was subjected to atomic absorption spectrophotometric and flame ionization detector-coupled-gas chromatographic (GC-FID) analysis. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a 120 mg/kg body weight intravenous injection of alloxan. Metformin was orally administered at 50 mg/kg, while the extract was administered (both to normal and diabetic rabbits) at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. Results:: Analysis of the extract showed that it had high contents of calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. Eleven known glycosides were detected, comprising mainly of amygdalin (37.7%), digoxin (14.4%), dhurrin (14.0%), linamarin (13.6%), prunasin (10.8%) and digitoxin (8.4%). Also detected were twelve known saponins, consisting mainly of sapogenin (40.3%) and neochlorogenin (21.8%); and twelve known lignans, consisting mainly of matairesinol (59.7%), secoisolariciresinol (20.9%) and lariciresinol (14.9%). Compared to the Diabetic control, the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width; and red cell, total white cell, lymphocytes, granulocytes and platelet counts of the treated groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher. Conclusion:: The above result showed that the extract had a positive effect on the hemopoietic system of the treated animals, at least at the doses at which it was administered in this study.