The purpose of this study was to elucidate the neuroprotective activities of Ganoderma lucidum water extract (GW) and fermented G. lucidum water extract (FGW). GW was fermented by the lactic acid bacterium Bifidobacterium bifidum (FGWB), followed by Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei LI033 (FGWBL). GW and FGW inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in a dose-dependent manner. In terms of cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, GW and FGW showed neuroprotective activities against H 2 O 2 -stimulated oxidative stress in PC12 cells. Further, GW and FGW reduced H 2 O 2 -stimulated apoptosis, as determined by Hoechst staining. The neuroprotective effects of GW and FGW were found to be caspase-dependent based on reduction of caspase-3 activity and increased cell viability after caspase inhibitor (z-VADfmk) treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that GW and FGW may be useful in reducing risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

The antibacterial activity of three Cupressaceae plants (Thujaoccidentalis,ThujaorientalisandChamaecyparisobtusa) was tested against three bacteria using the agar diffusion method. The ether and ethylacetate fraction of crude methanol extract from the three plants showed potent antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms. The result showed that Staphylococcus aureus revealed the most sensitivity among the tested bacteria. Thujaoccidentalisether fraction and Thujaorientalis hexane fraction exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli was shown the highest MIC values compared to the other two tested bacteria, which indicates the lowest antibacterial activity against the bacterium. This study promises an interesting future for designing a potentially active antibacterial agent from the three Cupressaceae plants.

No abstract

No abstract