title: Neurite outgrowth stimulatory effects of culinary-medicinal mushrooms and their toxicity assessment using differentiating Neuro-2a and embryonic fibroblast BALB/3T3.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mushrooms are not only regarded as gourmet cuisine but also as therapeutic agent to promote cognition health. However, little toxicological information is available regarding their safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen selected ethno-pharmacologically important mushrooms for stimulatory effects on neurite outgrowth and to test for any cytotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The stimulatory effect of mushrooms on neurite outgrowth was assessed in differentiating mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cells. Neurite length was measured using Image-Pro Insight processor system. Neuritogenesis activity was further validated by fluorescence immunocytochemical staining of neurofilaments. In vitro cytotoxicity was investigated by using mouse embryonic fibroblast (BALB/3T3) and N2a cells for any embryo- and neuro-toxic effects; respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aqueous extracts of Ganoderma lucidum, Lignosus rhinocerotis, Pleurotus giganteus and Grifola frondosa; as well as an ethanol extract of Cordyceps militaris significantly (p < 0.05) promoted the neurite outgrowth in N2a cells by 38.4 ± 4.2%, 38.1 ± 2.6%, 33.4 ± 4.6%, 33.7 ± 1.5%, and 35.8 ± 3.4%; respectively. The IC50 values obtained from tetrazolium (MTT), neutral red uptake (NRU) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays showed no toxic effects following 24 h exposure of N2a and 3T3 cells to mushroom extracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that G. lucidum, L. rhinocerotis, P. giganteus, G. frondosa and C. militaris may be developed as safe and healthy dietary supplements for brain and cognitive health.
authors.affiliation: Mushroom Research Centre, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rosiepamela@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Chia-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Murali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naidu
authors.forename: Kah-Hui
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Vikineswary
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sabaratnam
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales / Q000737:chemistry*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts; D032902:Ganoderma / Q000737:chemistry; D048691:Grifola / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D020076:Pleurotus / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D010936:Plant Extracts