Scientific Reports (Aug 2023)

In vitro cholesterol lowering activity of Ganoderma australe mycelia based on mass spectrometry, synchrotron Fourier-transform infrared analysis and liver-spheroid bioactivity

  • Sudthirak Wongkhieo,
  • Wanthongchai Tangmesupphaisan,
  • Jeeraprapa Siriwaseree,
  • Yaovapa Aramsirirujiwet,
  • Prissana Wiriyajitsomboon,
  • Tharnrat Kaewgrajang,
  • Saifa Pumloifa,
  • Atchara Paemanee,
  • Buabarn Kuaprasert,
  • Kiattawee Choowongkomon,
  • Adrian H. Chester,
  • Napachanok M. Swainson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40861-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract Mycelia were cultivated from a Thai wild mushroom identified as Ganoderma australe based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and morphological analyses. The mycelial extracts were examined for their active ingredients using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) method. This revealed the presence of lovastatin and tentative compounds including p-coumaric, nicotinamide, gamma-aminobutyric acid, choline, nucleosides, amino acids, and saccharides. The extracts had an inhibitory effect on the activity of HMG-CoA reductase in a concentration-dependent manner. At 2.5 mg/mL, the G. australe extracts did not interfere with the viability of HepG2 spheroids, but their biochemical composition was altered as determined by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The lipid profile of the spheroids treated with the mycelial extract was distinct from that of the control and the 5 µM lovastatin treatment, corresponding with the production of cholesterol by the spheroids. The mycelia of G. australe increased the percentage of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) production to 71.35 ± 2.74%, compared to the control and lovastatin-treated spheroids (33.26 ± 3.15% and 32.13 ± 3.24%, respectively). This study revealed the superior effect of natural compound mixtures to pure lovastatin, and the potential use of Thailand’s wild G. australe as a functional food to prevent or alleviate hypercholesterolemia.